8/16/2019 2016-05-26 Final Ken Starr Statement
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May 26, 2016 STATEMENT FROM JUDGE KEN STARR
Serving as President of Baylor University for the past six years
has been a high honor and adistinct privilege. A statement released
this morning by the University’s Board of Regents
regarding the Pepper Hamilton report announced that I will leave
the presidency. The following
provides additional, clarifying information alongside the
Board’s release.
I have reached an agreement in principle with the Board to
transition to the position of
Chancellor.
The Board’s statement contains a link to the Pepper Hamilton
Findings of Fact and
Recommendations. I applaud the Board for its transparency. It
must be known, however, that I
was not privy to any of the allegations regarding interpersonal
violence until the Fall of 2015, at
which time I immediately launched an internal investigation
before recommending to the Boardan independent external
investigation, which the Board then commissioned with Pepper
Hamilton.
For now, I happily remain a part of Baylor Nation. I am looking
forward to continuing to serve
as Chancellor as well as the Louise L. Morrison Chair of
Constitutional Law at the wonderful
Baylor Law School, which gains in prestige daily.
As soon as we have navigated specific issues of the transition,
I will be available to respond to
questions. Indeed, I am eager to do so.
To be sure, this has been an exceedingly difficult time for the
University family, especially so for
the victims of sexual violence and their loved ones. I join the
Board of Regents and the Senior
Administration of the University in expressing heartfelt
contrition for the tragedy and sadness
that has unfolded. To those victims who were not treated with
the care, concern, and support theydeserve, I am profoundly
sorry.
Despite these dark days, I remain resolved to join hands with
the Baylor family to continue to build the University as we
carry out its distinct mission in Christian higher education. May
God
grant us grace, mercy, and peace.
