Ken Starr and Baylor have officially parted ways.
The school announced Friday that it and Starr, the school’s former president and chancellor, have mutually agreed to separate. Starr was removed as president and resigned as chancellor in the aftermath of the findings from an investigation into the school’s handling of sexual assault allegations. Starr maintained a position in Baylor’s law school until Friday.
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“Effective (Friday), Judge Ken Starr will be leaving his faculty status and tenure at Baylor University’s Law School. The mutually agreed separation comes with the greatest respect and love Judge Starr has for Baylor and with Baylor’s recognition and appreciation for Judge Starr’s many contributions to Baylor,” a joint statement between Baylor and Starr read.
“Baylor wishes Judge Ken Starr well in his future endeavors. Judge Starr expresses his thanks to the Baylor family for the opportunity to serve as president and chancellor and is grateful for his time with the exceptional students of Baylor University who will lead and serve around the world.”
Starr was removed as BU president when the school’s Board of Regents released the finding of facts from Philadelphia-based law firm Pepper Hamilton’s investigation into the school’s handlings of sexual assault allegations, many involving football players. Starr, at first, was allowed to remain in the role of chancellor. However, he later announced he was stepping down as “a matter of conscience.”
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In its summary of the findings from the Pepper Hamilton investigation, Baylor’s Board said the school’s “student conduct processes were wholly inadequate to consistently provide a prompt and equitable response under Title IX.” It also said Baylor “failed to consistently support complainants” and “failed to take action to identify and eliminate a potential hostile environment, prevent its recurrence or address its effects.”
More specifically, the summary pointed to failures amid the athletic department and football program. As a result, Art Briles was removed as head coach and athletic director Ian McCaw stepped down.
Starr is best known for his role in the 1990s as the independent counsel pursuing charges against former U.S. President Bill Clinton regarding his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
