NEW HAVEN, Conn. ― Instead of Yale University celebrating its first appearance in the NCAA tournament in more than 50 years, the sudden dismissal of the captain of the men’s basketball team has sparked controversy and debate on campus.
The exact circumstances behind the departure of senior Jack Montague in early February remain unclear. School administrators are not commenting on the departure. His father, Jim, declined to comment on the reasons behind his son’s removal. Montague has not been charged with a crime and Yale and New Haven police say they are not investigating.
Since Montague’s departure last month, the issue has sparked a broad and emotional debate on campus about safety and sexual misconduct, with students reacting to what they have heard in the absence of an official explanation. University leaders have said they are committed to “providing a safe campus” for all students.
Yale, along with colleges and universities across the nation, has been struggling with how to respond to controversy over sexual misconduct. In 2011, after coming under federal scrutiny related to sexual assault and harassment, Yale made a number of changes in its system for handling complaints establishing a university-wide committee to handle complaints as well as expanding efforts to educate students about sexual misconduct and how to prevent it.
“I know that many of you are upset and angry, and that you are sharing deeply conflicting views,” Yale College Dean Jonathan Holloway said in a message to students this past week. “I know that I can count on you to join me in this effort by treating each other with respect ― especially when you disagree.”
Montague played in his last game on Feb. 6 and days later Yale changed his status to “withdrawn.” Last week, Jim Montague told the New Haven Register that his son had been expelled from Yale. Before the Yale game against Harvard on Feb. 26, Montague’s teammates wore shirts with the Yale logo spelled backward and Montague’s nickname “Gucci.” This drew a sharp reaction on campus and a subsequent apology from the team.
“We should be really proud but how can you be really proud when they are standing up for someone who did something wrong?” asked Olivia Briffault, a junior at the university. She said the team was celebrated on stage at Toad’s Place, a New Haven nightclub. “We Are The Champions” was played.
