Cal Athletics said it has sent Cornelius’ allegations to the campus Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination, which is responsible for investigating such accusations.
“These allegations go against the very core of our values,” Cal Athletics said in a statement. “Cal Athletics is and will always be committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels safe, welcome and respected. All of those associated with the department are expected to maintain ethical standards at all times.”
Knowlton said his department would lend its full backing to the campus inquiry into the allegations and would support any “appropriate consequences as required by the outcome” of it.
“These allegations are surfacing in the midst of a concerted and ongoing effort across our department that began several years ago to educate and engage our staff and student‐athletes about preventing and responding to sexual harassment and violence,” he said in a statement. “Through formal training sessions for coaches, staff and student‐athletes, we have been clear and consistent about our refusal to tolerate this most egregious form of misconduct. If necessary, we will do more.”
Stanford Law Professor Deborah Rhode said those efforts don’t appear to be adequate.
“The message hasn’t filtered down.What you need is cultural change.If these allegations are anywhere close to truth, this is not one bad apple,” she said.
Last year, UC Berkeley fired an assistant director in its athletics department, Mohamed Muqtar, after an internal investigation substantiated claims of sexual violence and harassment brought by seven women athletes, including WNBA All-Star Layshia Clarendon, ESPN and The (San Jose) Mercury News reported.
KQED News’ reporter Peter Jon Shuler contributed to this report.
