Security on Campus says allowing Rego to return will undermine University judicial system
By MYRA McGRIFF
Saint Mary's Editor
The watch dog organization Security on Campus responded to the University's indecision in upholding former Notre Dame tailback Cooper Rego's alleged campus ban in a letter addressed to University President Father Edward Malloy on Monday. The organization's campus security spokesperson S. Daniel Cater called for Notre Dame to uphold Rego's alleged expulsion.
Rego was a member of the Irish football team in 1997 before being dismissed for sexual assault and banned from campus in 1998, according to sexual victim and 2001 Notre Dame graduate Kori Peinovi. The ban was confirmed in an e-mail from a senior Residence Life official obtained by The Observer. Rego is scheduled to return to campus Saturday as a member of the West Virginia football team.
Carter's concern with the ban lies on two levels. One concern is that the disciplinary decision to ban was made by Note Dame. If the University does not enforce its own decision, then what faith will other sexual victims have in the future. The credibility of Notre Dame's judicial process is in question by the delay in response as well as if Notre Dame does not uphold its own decision.
"Our main concern is that a student should be able to rely on the schools assurance that the accused has been banned. The victim should be able to rely on what they are told," Carter said.
Carter's other concern and heart of Monday's letter rest in Notre Dame's ability to stay in compliance with the Jean Clery Act's "Campus sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights." The act outlines that schools must inform, "the accuser and the accused must be informed of the outcome of any institutional disciplinary proceeding brought alleging a sex offense…with respect to the alleged sex offense and any sanction that is imposed against the accused."
Since the parties have been notified, it is now up Notre Dame to recognize that sanction, according to Carter.
"All that we ask is that is that [Notre Dame] enforce its know decision to ban this expelled student from the Notre Dame campus in any capacity," Carter said.
University spokesman Denny Moore confirmed that no decision has been reached.
Rego was also unable to be reached Monday for questions and his listed phone number had been disconnected.
West Virginia football information office confirmed that Rego was not at player interviews Monday and that "he isn't giving interviews."
All News Stories for Tuesday, October 9, 2001
