Baylor Adds Officers, Counselors Amid Sex Assault Lawsuits
WACO (AP) - Baylor University's outgoing president says additional police officers have been hired and the number of campus counselors doubled as the school works to improve its response to sexual assault complaints.
Interim President David Garland also says in the Waco Tribune-Herald column that additional staff members have been added to the Title IX office, allowing it to more quickly conduct investigations into sexual violence.
Title IX rules guard against sexual discrimination and violence.
The changes come as more than a dozen women have sued Baylor alleging that the Baptist school ignored or mishandled their claims of assault.
Linda Livingstone was named in April as the university's new president and assumes her duties Thursday.
Livingstone previously said that she's met with assault victims and that it's better informed her understanding of the issue.
Just two weeks ago, a former Baylor student-athlete filed a lawsuit against the university after she says she was drugged and gang-raped by as many as eight football players.
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