KU failed to report Title IX complaint after Jackson vandalism

On Tuesday, Tim Calvert, the father of University of Kansas women’s basketball player McKenzie Calvert, told a Kansas Senate edcuation committee via phone that no one from KU had asked for a Title IX investigation following an incident outside a Lawrence bar that led to charges being filed against men’s basketball star Josh Jackson, according to the Kansas City Star.

Calvert told the committee that during a recent meeting with KU’s Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access (IOA) he was informed that no one had reported the vandalism to them. This was during the Kansas Senate’s informational briefing on Title IX.

“They said no other person from the university or coach or administrator had initiated an IOA investigation into this matter,” Calvert said.

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits and aims to dissuade gender discrimination in education, and involves sexual harassment and sexual violence.

KU’s IOA policy states that “all KU employees are required to report incidents of sexual harassment, including sexual violence” to the Title IX coordinator—who is also the executive director of IOA.

McKenzie Calvert said she told head women’s basketball coach Brandon Schneider about the vandalism incident hours after it happened, and also revealed that she had thrown a drink at another men’s basketball player, Lagerald Vick, before Jackson kicked her car.

KU spokesman Joe Monaco declined to speak about the investigation, or lack thereof, but did issue a statement on Tim Calvert’s claims.

“If Mr. Calvert insists on having public conversations about university investigations, then we invite him to have his daughter sign a waiver allowing us to publicly discuss her situation at KU,” Monaco said. “We’d be delighted to have that public conversation.”

Calvert told the Kansas Senate education committee in December 2015 that the university’s athletic department had initiated a Title IX investigation of dating violence between his daughter and Vick, whom she threw the drink at. That investigation published by the Kansas City Star found that Vick “likely hit a female student multiple times in late 2015” and was recommended two years of probation, though it remains uncertain if Vick was ever put on that probation as he continues to play.

It is also uncertain if that report was filed with campus police after it was determined Vick likely committed domestic violence. Vick has not been charged with a crime.

Calvert said a doctor with the university determined some of her bruising was not basketball related.

Jackson has since been charged with misdemeanor property damage after he allegedly kicked Calvert’s driver-side door and a rear taillight in the early morning of Dec. 9.

“We have still yet to meet with any university officials regarding our concerns,” Calvert said. “No official, administrator, coach or otherwise has spoken to us. When we’ve asked, they simply told us to speak with our daughter.”

Calvert also told lawmakers that he believes his daughter is continually being punished for the Dec. 9 incident and for contacting police about it.

Before hearing Calvert’s testimony, KU’s Title IX coordinator, Shane McCreery, gave a brief presentation to lawmakers about the program. Following Calvert’s testimony, he would not comment, stating “both students have privacy interests and it’s important that my office respect that.”

Head men’s basketball coach Bill Self said he has disciplined Jackson “in house” for his involvement.