University of Maryland President Resigns
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Following a report about a student death, University of Maryland President Wallace D. Loh will resign. Loh had apologized for the loss of Jordan McNair, a football player who died during rigorous training. A Washington Post article quotes the McNair’s attorney about the apology:
Hassan Murphy, the McNair family’s attorney, said Loh “remains the only person thus far in this process who has accepted moral and legal responsibility and has spoken from his heart about what happened.”
“If the university will not do right by Jordan, we promise to explore every possible avenue that will,” Murphy added.
Since then, an investigation uncovered deep issues with the athletics program and a culture of silence: “problems festered because too many players feared speaking out.” An independent committee presented its findings and recommendations in a 200-page report.
Rick Court, the former strength-and-conditioning coach, was terminated, but the athletics director and football coach will remain in their positions. Despite Loh’s recommendation, the University regents encouraged Loh to allow Coach DJ Durkin to return after his suspension. According to the Post article, Loh was permitted to stay at the university through June 2019 only if Durkin stayed on.
Several senators have questioned the decision and accuse the University of putting “athletics over academics.”
The Post also reports that several players walked out during their first meeting with Coach Durkin.
Discussion:
Did the University regents make the right decision in asking for Loh’s resignation? Why or why not?
Did Loh do the right thing by allowing Durkin to return?
Analyze the investigation report: audience, organization, content, writing style, and so on. Which business writing principles are followed, and how could the report be improved?
