© 2024 KGOU
News and Music for Oklahoma
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

OU Ends Sexual Misconduct Investigation Into Former President Boren With His Resignation

University of Oklahoma President David Boren announces the first Indigenous Peoples' Day October 12, 2015 outside the Bizzell Memorial Library on the south end of campus.
Brian Hardzinski
/
KGOU

The University of Oklahoma’s Board of Regents announced Wednesday that former President David Boren resigned from his position as president emeritus and professor. The news came about 8 months after the board began investigating alleged sexual misconduct by Boren.

“Today, the OU Regents announced that the Title IX issue between David Boren and the University of Oklahoma has been concluded,” read a June 12 press release. The university no longer has jurisdiction over the matter, according to reporting by the Associated Press.

 

The regents hired private law firm Jones Day to investigate Boren, rather than using its own Title IX office. Boren’s successor, James Gallogly, said the firm was hired to conduct “an independent and unbiased, expert investigation.”

 

Gallogly resigned less than a year into the job, issuing a lengthy statement on May 13 in which he said a "false narrative" that he intended to undermine Boren’s legacy through budget cuts had taken root. Gallogly said that narrative colored public perceptions of the sexual misconduct investigation.

Jones Day presented its findings to the board in April, and part of the report was released by the man who has publicly accused Boren of sexual battery, Jess Eddy, in May. The excerpt called Eddy “generally credible,” though Boren has denied any wrongdoing.

 

The Oklahoman reported Jones Day’s report was shared with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, which is conducting its own investigation into Boren. The paper also claims four agents and a special prosecutor were appointed to handle the inquiry.

Leslie Rainbolt-Forbes, who chairs the OU Board of Regents, said, “We are mindful of the OSBI investigation and will be watchful as to the determination of the grand jury.”

Boren has been mostly silent throughout the university’s investigation, speaking only through attorneys. Eddy has continued to speak out, detailing allegations of unwanted sexual touching and advances by Boren to the media. Eddy claimsthere are others with similar stories.

On Thursday Boren issued a statement explaining his decision to resign.

“While I was tempted to pursue a continued battle to protect my reputation and demonstrate that I was innocent of any wrongdoing, I felt it was best for the University and all concerned for me to suggest a resolution to end this divisive and unfair controversy," Boren said.

 

 

Caroline produced Capitol Insider and did general assignment reporting from 2018 to 2019. She joined KGOU after a stint at Marfa Public Radio, where she covered a wide range of local and regional issues in far west Texas. Previously, she reported on state politics for KTOO Public Media in Alaska and various outlets in Washington State.
More News
Support nonprofit, public service journalism you trust. Give now.