RALEIGH, N.C.
A committee charged with evaluating the campus culture at Duke University in the wake of rape allegations involving the men’s lacrosse team called Tuesday for changes to the undergraduate experience and the creation of a “diverse, inclusive and engaged community.”
University officials say they look forward to discussing the recommendations, which also include a new course requirement for undergraduates focusing on racial and class differences in the United States, and increasing admission standards at the elite, private university.
The report barely mentions the March 13 party thrown by the school’s men’s lacrosse team, where a woman hired to perform as a stripper told police she was attacked and raped by three of the players in a bathroom. Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong, eventually dropped the rape charges against the players late last year, and later turned over the case to state prosecutors after he was charged by the state bar with several ethics violations.
The players, who have steadfastly maintained their innocence, still face charges of sexual offense and kidnapping. The new prosecutors have not said if they plan to bring the case to trial.
The “Campus Culture Initiative” was formed last year after Duke President Richard Brodhead canceled the lacrosse team’s 2006 season, and was one of several committees created to examine issues raised by the incident.
Larry Moneta, Duke’s vice president for student affairs, says Brodhead wanted the committee to “really get beyond lacrosse and focus on the broader issues related to the undergraduate experience.”
