Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Issue 03, Volume 126 utdailybeacon.com
Bonnaroo 2014 Every June, the population in the small town of Manchester booms–but only for four days. Why? Bonnaroo, one of the country’s biggest music festivals. This year, the Beacon was there to see it all. See coverage ARTS & CULTURE
>>pg. 3
Hanna Lustig • The Daily Beacon
SEE INSIDE
Made in Knoxville: New exhibit lands in McClung Museum NEWS >>pg. 2
An end to scrutiny
Thirteen months after her termination as student judical affairs director, investigators determine allegations against Jenny Wright unfounded Samantha Smoak
Managing Editor Jenny Wright, former director of student judicial affairs, has been cleared of any misconduct following a 13-month investigation. In May 2013, Wright was accused of having inappropriate relationships with student athletes. She was placed on leave pending an investigation based on a claim the university received about alleged inappropriate behavior, UT Media Relations Director Karen Simsen said. Despite receiving positive reviews from peers and superiors during her five years as associate director and then director of Student Judicial Affairs, UT officials fired Wright. According to an August 2013 report from the Knoxville News Sentinel, Wright claimed she was pressured and harassed by UT administrators before being fired for failing to cooperate with the investigation. The Daily Beacon contacted Wright this week for a statement, but she did
not return phone calls, responding instead through her attorneys Stanley and Kurtz of Knoxville. Her attorneys released a statement stating Wright is relieved that the investigation has concluded. “Ms. Wright has consistently maintained that she never engaged in any type of inappropriate conduct with or against students,” according to the statement. “Ms. Wright’s performance evaluations reflect that she always acted with the utmost propriety and professionalism, even when faced with difficult decisions and arduous conflict within the University.” The university’s Office of Communications and Marketing released a statement last week reporting that the investigation conducted by an external source has concluded that Wright did not violate any university policies, and that a national search for a new director has begun. ”The entire judicial process has been reviewed by an external team,” Simsen said, adding that “judicial procedures are being changed based on the external review of the office.”
Simsen said an internal program review of Student Judicial Affairs has also been completed. Similar program reviews in academic departments and student service units are standard procedure in academia, Simsen said. The reviews bring forth best practices and recommendations for improvements. Several recommendations were identified within Student Judicial Affairs and those changes are being implemented now and over the next year, she said. When asked if the university was concerned about a potential lawsuit from Wright, since she was fired from the university before the investigation revealed the allegations against her were false, Simsen said the university had no comment. Results of the external review called on university officials to develop a policy prohibiting romantic relationships between University students and employees, and to develop a policy prohibiting relationships between students and University employees who have responsibilities related to student disciplinary actions and compliance matters.
It was also recommended that all employees of the Athletics Department and the Division of Student Life acknowledge in writing that engaging in a prohibited relationship will be grounds for disciplinary action, including termination of employment. In addition, the report recommended specific steps the Chancellor should take regarding issues of compliance. It calls for Athletic Department employees to be better informed about the consequences of threats against employees. It also calls for greater cooperation in instances of student disciplinary actions. Any effort to obstruct an investigation or discipline of students would be a violation of the University’s Code of Conduct and grounds for disciplinary action, including termination. The final report was delivered to Chancellor Jimmy Cheek on June 4. According to the university’s press release Cheek takes the recommendations in the report seriously, and will review them and take appropriate action in a timely manner.
Knoxville youth take the stage with a local summer theater program ARTS & CULTURE >>pg. 5
From Chapel Hill to Rocky Top: The story of Diamond DeShields, our newest Lady Vol SPORTS >>pg. 6
@UTKDailyBeacon www.utdailybeacon.com
Wes Tripp
Contributor
Samantha Smoak
Managing Editor PINEHURST, N.C.– Tennessee golfer Oliver Goss’ performance at the U.S. Open was a tale of two days. Goss shot a 1-over par 71 in his first round in the U.S. Open on Friday at legendary Pinehurst No. 2 course. Goss’ first round left him only six shots behind first round leader and eventual U.S. Open champion, Martin Kaymer. However, on Friday the 20-year-old sophomore failed to make the cut after shooting 13 over par, an 83, in his second round. Goss’ two rounds together equaled 154, 14-over par overall, tying him for 148th out of 156 players. Goss was hoping to repeat his low-amateur performance at the Masters and to become the first player since Matt Kuchar in 1998 to finish as the low amateur in both the Masters and U.S. Open in the same year. On Thursday morning when
Goss teed off, course conditions were softer due to watering and overcast skies. This created perfect conditions for lower scoring golf. Goss took advantage of those conditions and birdied the fourth and 10th holes. However, Goss bogeyed the ninth and double bogeyed the 11th. He played the last seven holes at even par to give him his one over par round. Goss’ most impressive shot was on the par-3 sixth. Goss hit the ball into the bunker on the left side of the green. His second shot barely made it out of the bunker and settled on the fringe of the putting green. The hole location was in the center left of the green. Goss’ chip shot rolled into the hole, saving par and garnering a loud applause from the mid-morning crowd. The Australian natives second round was a stark contrast from his first round. In the first round he hit 13 out of 18 greens in regulation (GIR). In Goss’ second round, he only hit seven GIR. He missed the greens often on his
approach shots and found himself shooting out of quite a few bunkers. Goss triple bogeyed the 10th, 14th and 15th, and bogeyed the 11th, 16th and 18th. He settled himself on his second nine holes of his second round shooting one over par on the front nine. Going Pro On Tuesday, Goss announced he will forgo his two remaining years of college eligibility and turn professional. The Perth, Australia native is the Tennessee all-time leader in career stroke average, and won the Silver Cup as the low amateur at the 2014 Masters. “I couldn’t have asked for a better experience at Tennessee,” Goss said according to a university press release. “The support I received from Vol Nation was unbelievable. “I feel this is the perfect time in my career to turn professional. I’m extremely excited and can’t wait for the opportunity to compete on the biggest stage. I want to thank my teammates and coaches for everything they did for me during my two years in Knoxville.” Goss’ performance in the
• Photo courtesy of Tennessee Athletics
Oliver Goss turns pro despite U.S. Open loss
Oliver Goss competes at the NCAA Regionals on May 17 in Eugene, Ore. After failing to make the cut at the 2014 U.S. Open, Goss announced on June 17 he would forgo his two years remaining years of college eligibility and turn professional. 2014 U.S. Open was his last competition as an amateur. Tennessee golf head coach Jim Kelson, said Goss was a outstanding representative of UT and the men’s golf program. “He did a tremendous amount to elevate the stature of our program,” Keyton said. “He
“If one freedom can be made into a crime without any valid reasoning, any of our freedoms can be taken away in the exact same fashion.” OPINIONS >>pg. 4
will be truly missed as a player and a person. We wish him nothing but the very best in all his future endeavors.” Goss will make his pro debut this week at the PGA Tour Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut.
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