Former University of Colorado football player Michael Sipili turned himself in to Boulder Police today in connection with allegations of sexual assault.
The charges stem from incidents that occurred in the early morning hours of Dec. 4, 2010. Sipili is accused of sexual assault based on an incident that occurred at an informal gathering at an off-campus apartment. Sipili is not an active player on the CU roster, having completed his NCAA eligibility this past season, but is a CU-Boulder senior. It is unknown at this time if others will be charged in connection with the incident.
CU-Boulder campus and athletic officials reacted swiftly in condemning the alleged assault.
"We are extremely disappointed and troubled to learn of these accusations," said CU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Bohn. "We want the members of the university community to know that we have dedicated ourselves to educating our young men and women regarding sexual assault and sexual harassment. Our resolve to collaborate with on- and off-campus partners on these issues remains steadfast, and those who do not embrace these values will face severe team and university penalties."
Bohn said reforms undertaken earlier in the decade under the leadership of then-Provost Philip P. DiStefano have taken root in the department and within the football program. He cited as an example presentations to players on issues of sexual assault and sexual harassment by speakers invited by former CU head football coach Dan Hawkins during his tenure (2005-10). The speakers included law enforcement officials and victims' advocates.
Bohn said CU student-athletes also focus on sexual assault issues as part of the CU Experience class offered to student-athletes, as well as in mandatory orientation sessions for all students that occur as a part of their freshman orientation at CU-Boulder.
CU Athletic Department officials also serve with local CU and Boulder law enforcement officials and victims' advocates on a working group formed with the Boulder District Attorney's office. The group is charged with creating communication pathways and plans regarding student-athletes' behavior, and addressing issues of violent crime, racism, alcohol abuse and other related issues.
CU-Boulder Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Deb Coffin said the measures Bohn outlined mean, at a very basic level, "that we will not tolerate sexual misconduct at CU-Boulder, or any actions that threaten the safety of women on our campus."
"I want the entire community to know that this university has learned from the difficult lessons of our past," Coffin said. "We have put in place a slate of campuswide policies that address sexual assault and sexual harassment. We communicate these policies to our students from their first moments on campus, and we hold them accountable to these standards during their time here."
Coffin pledged full cooperation with Boulder authorities in further investigating and prosecuting the case. Students accused of sexual assault also face hearings within CU-Boulder's Office of Student Conduct and, if found responsible for sexual assault in those proceedings, face significant penalties.
"Any CU student found responsible for a sexual assault faces penalties ranging from suspension to expulsion," Coffin said.
Incoming CU head football coach Jon Embree said he, too, would not tolerate personal misconduct, or violence against women, by CU players.
"My philosophy on off-the-field issues is simple: It's a privilege to be a University of Colorado Buffalo," Embree said. "We have to hold ourselves to high standards of personal conduct, and if our players don't embrace that, they will lose that privilege. On top of that, I intend to uphold the values the campus has established, and send a strong and consistent message to our players that respect for women is a basic requirement for being on this team."
FACT SHEET
CU-Boulder measures to combat sexual assault and sexual harassment
--The University of Colorado does not tolerate sexual harassment or sexual assault on the part of its students, student-athletes, faculty or staff. The university has taken strong measures within the last decade to educate our campus community about this issue, and has concurrently implemented strong policies to enforce these messages.
--As a result of a slate of athletic reforms the university has undertaken since 2003, CU student-athletes receive extensive training and orientation on sexual harassment/sexual assault issues in multiple venues.
--As CU students, student-athletes are trained on these issues in the new student orientation and move-in process through presentations, focused discussions and in team-specific presentations and messages from coaches, as well as in the CU Experience academic class.
--The CU football team routinely hears from at least one guest speaker per season who focuses on issues of sexual assault-sexual harassment. These messages are reinforced with players collectively at many other moments.
--Former head football coach Dan Hawkins took action against players violating team and campus policies, and coach Jon Embree has pledged to do the same. The university will cooperate fully with any further criminal investigation or prosecution.
--CU officials helped to form, and continue to participate in, the CU-DA "Task Force for Student-Athlete Welfare" which was formed in 2009. This is a dialogue involving the CU-Boulder dean of students, athletic director, chief of police, CU victims' advocates and counseling professionals who work with Boulder law enforcement officials, including the district attorney, to arrive at strategies to reduce sexual assault and educate student-athletes about the law, particularly the criminal justice system.
--In 2004, CU-Boulder's Sexual Assault Sexual Harassment (SASH) task force was formed by then-Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Ron Stump. The group monitors the campus climate on sexual assault, harassment and women's safety issues, looking for ways to reduce gender violence.
--CU has acted on its values by adding key personnel to assist the general campus and Intercollegiate Athletics in conveying sexual assault messages, offering resources to victims and education to the community. A position was added to the Office of Victims Assistance in order to expand victim advocacy resources and violence prevention education.
--In addition to hiring a victims' advocate, Davian Gagne, in 2008, the university hired Sheila Ridley to serve as director of student development and student welfare. Ridley is now a member of the Sexual Assault Sexual Harassment task force and has coordinated her efforts with student health efforts at CU-Boulder's Wardenburg Health Center. Ridley also has covered sexual assault prevention and related issues in her CU Experience classes for student-athletes.
--In 2009, CU Title IX Consultant Nancy Hogshead Makar detailed the university's challenges and progress in addressing the campus climate for women in general and the climate for women related to intercollegiate athletics in particular. In a report presented to the CU administration, Hogshead Makar noted that "while the Simpson lawsuit was pending, CU began integrating the Athletics Department into the CU campus umbrella, rather than treating it as a satellite operation. It continues this process of integration." Describing her experience in working with CU officials and staff to conduct her Title IX review in 2009, Hogshead Makar wrote in the report, "I am continually struck by the degree of investment people had in a positive outcome for students and for the community as a whole."
--In 2010, the university hired Dr. Donald Misch as associate vice chancellor for health and wellness, and charged him with unifying efforts to address alcohol, drugs and sexual health issues.
The Student Conduct Policies and Procedures document is located at .
Office of Orientation: Family Conversations about Sexual Assault is located at .
The university's safety page on sexual assault is located at .