Relationships April 21, 2017
Policy bans all new student athletes with a history of sexual and domestic violence.
Indiana University Bloomington will no longer accept new student athletes with a history of sexual or domestic violence.
The new policy requires the athletic department to conduct an “appropriate inquiry into every prospective student-athlete’s background consistent with due diligence prior to providing him/her with athletically-related aid or allowing him/her to practice or compete.”
In this case, sexual violence is “dating violence, domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or sexual violence as defined by the Indiana University Policy.”
The policy also advises a criminal background check on each potential student-athlete, as well as examinations of their “digital footprints.” Coaches are instructed to speak to student-athletes’ teachers, coaches, administrators, teammates and family members. They’re also advised to ask about any previous arrests, convictions, protective orders, disciplines involving sexual violence, etc. – which seems like maybe something they should’ve been doing all along?
This is kind of a big deal. Some schools already have a rule against transfer student-athletes with a history of sexual and domestic violence. But banning all new athletes with a history of sexual and domestic violence is a big move toward making campuses safer. And it’s a step in the right direction for Indiana University Bloomington.
Of course, that’s not necessarily saying much when they recently had a Title IX Director – Jason Casares – resign because he was accused of sexual assault. I mean, come on.
The policy also comes after the University had to dismiss freshman football player Kiante Enis this past September, after he was arrested on child molestation charges. It wasn’t a particularly proud year for them.
Back in 2015, the Southern Conference banned institutions from accepting transfer students with a history of serious misconduct – such as sexual and domestic assault. Indiana University’s conference, The Big Ten, leaves it up to the institutions to decide.
That makes Indiana University Bloomington’s policy quite groundbreaking in the fight against campus rape culture… though I think it’s safe to say we still have a long way to go.
