Baylor Title IX Coordinator Resigns; Two More Women Join Class-Action Lawsuit

Baylor Title IX coordinator Patty Crawford resigned from her post Monday, according to a university press release. Crawford had been with the school as the head coordinator since 2014—the position was vacant for over three years prior to her hiring, and from 2008-2011, the school reported zero sexual assaults.

In the press release, the Baylor press team wrote Crawford’s inability to enact the changes suggested the Pepper Hamilton report was her reason for stepping down. Here is the full statement, via KXAN:

“Our understanding is that Patty was disappointed in her role in implementing the recommendations that resulted from the Pepper Hamilton investigation,” the university statement said, referring to recommendations made by the Philadelphia-based law firm the school hired to investigate its responses to sexual assault allegations.

“The University is grateful for Patty’s leadership in establishing fair and equitable Title IX processes that are also supportive of the needs of survivors. We will always seek to continuously improve and are confident that the very capable Title IX staff will continue the important work of educating, supporting and responding to the needs of those impacted by interpersonal violence.”

The decision came the same day two more women joined the class-action lawsuit against the university for its role in responding improperly, or not at all, to instances of sexual assault, bringing the number of women attached to the lawsuit to eight. According to ESPN, Jane Doe 7 alleges she was assaulted by two Baylor students in May 2009; Jane Doe 8 alleges her assault occurred March 2015.

The two newest allegations do not involve members of the football team, as is the case with Jane Doe 1. ESPN’s Paula Lavigne reports as many as 17 women have voiced sexual assault allegations against members of the team since 2009.