BOISE — The results of an independent investigative report into the University of Idaho’s handling of a 2013 sexual assault allegation were released late Tuesday.
The report centers around Athletic Director Rob Spear and his handling of sexual misconduct allegations leveled against a football player by a swimmer.
Earlier this year a U of I graduate published an online blog post detailing an off-campus sexual assault when she was a student in 2013 and how she claims the athletic director failed to take her report seriously.
The newly-released investigation found that the department failed to support the victim in a number of ways.
This included the school’s incorrect belief that because the assault happened off campus it was a matter for police and not for the university to address.
The report says Dr. Spear and others with the athletic department were unaware of national collegiate changes made in 2011 that mandated off-campus sexual misconduct is the responsibility of the school.
The report also said that Spear's comments to the victim and her family in the aftermath of the assault were defensive and lacked compassion.
Spear is currently on paid administrative leave.
There was no recommendation of further action, which may now be in the hands of the State Board of Education.