While LSU is promising a Title IX investigation after a USA Today report found systemic mishandling of sexual misconduct by the school, student groups are now demanding resignations from top officials.
After LSU interim president Thomas Galligan Monday acknowledge the university’s failings, numerous LSU student groups demanded the firing of anyone at the school that has mishandled Title IX complaints.
“The common word that I saw yesterday was disgust,” Angel Upshaw, co-president of the LSU student group Tigers Against Sexual Assault, told USA Today. “It showed how much survivors are dismissed and not believed. It was shocking to everyone. This isn’t going to be one of these things that we let blow over.”
Related: LSU Ignored Assault Complaints Against Athletes
Upshaw was one of 26 student leaders who signed an open letter addressed to LSU Administration and LSU Athletics, asking for the resignation of those responsible for covering up the complaints.
“LSU as a community cannot and will not effectively investigate this failure to address past Title IX claims or correct our policies while these administrators and the culture of rape and victim-blaming they have created maintain their positions.”
The USA Today piece, which was published Monday, found that officials in the athletic department and broader administration have ignored complaints against abusers and denied victim requests for protection.
At least nine LSU football players have been reported to police over accusations of sexual misconduct and dating violence since head coach Ed Orgeron took over the team four years ago, according to records obtained by USA Today. Only two of those players have been disciplined.
