In her first statement since the review was released almost two weeks ago, Binghamton University President Lois DeFleur, along with Provost Mary Ann Swain, said the findings must be dealt with “objectively” and “honestly.”
The statement, which the administration released Friday via B-Line, does not give any specifics on how that can be accomplished — it instead focuses on what the administrators call the “values” and “principal missions” of the school (see box).
In the statement, DeFleur and Swain outlined the standards they said have guided them and will continue to guide the University in the future, which, they wrote, includes their commitment to academic excellence.
The statement went on to say that the University is “first and foremost an excellent academic institution.”
The message closes by requesting help from the students of BU.
“You are critical to our future — just as you have been in building Binghamton to the top-tier university it is today,” the final paragraph reads.
BU administration first issued a statement on the day of the review’s release, stating that they were still evaluating the report.
In the absence of any specific prescriptions for administrative action, members of the Student Assembly planted the seed for action by approving a statement last week.
On Feb. 15 the Assembly unanimously agreed on a formal statement that condemned Broadus for his actions. The statement specifically cited Broadus’ involvement in events taking place between October 2008, when one of his recruits, Malik Alvin, was charged with assault while allegedly stealing condoms from a local Wal-Mart, and Oct. 14, 2009 when Broadus was placed on an indefinite paid leave.
The statement was first presented to the Assembly last October, but was tabled until the report was complete. The Feb. 15 vote reflected community decisions, as representatives consulted their constituents before voting.
In addition to formally condemning Broadus, the Student Association called for Broadus’ immediate resignation from BU in the statement. It also requested that a copy be forwarded to “all necessary University officials,” including DeFleur, and publicized to all undergraduate students.
“The statement is putting the ball in Broadus’ court,” said Yadin Herzel, Assembly representative at-large from Off Campus College and a senior majoring in accounting. “It is saying that students don’t want him to work here.”
The legislation was co-authored by Herzel and Rod Alzmann, an Assembly representative from Off Campus College and a senior majoring in accounting.
“Basically this man, and a part of the athletic department, has taken away a large degree of the pride in the athletic department and damaged our image,” Alzmann said. “[The University] has called a few people out for wrongdoing, yet they haven’t held them accountable.”
Broadus, who signed a contract extension last May and was placed on paid leave in October, receives an annual salary of about $223,400.