Officer

Lincoln University President Resigns Amid Review for Sex Assault Remarks

Amid a scandal over controversial comments made about sexual assault, the president of America's first historically black university resigned Monday.

In a letter posted to its website, Lincoln University Board of Trustees chairman Kimberly Lloyd announced the resignation of President Dr. Robert Jennings.

The letter mentioned none of Jennings accomplishments at the public university but did focus greatly on Jennings' replacement, university general counsel, Valerie Harrison. Harrison will serve as acting president as the university seeks a long-term replacement.

Earlier this month, the university announced an internal review of Jennings' conduct in the aftermath of his controversial comments about sexual assault.

“The Board considers this an issue of the utmost importance and therefore intends to begin its review as soon as possible," wrote Lloyd at the time. The review must be thorough and comprehensive and we will take the necessary time to ensure that happens.”

The review came after some students, parents and alumni called for Jennings to be fired for remarks he made at an all-women’s convocation in September.

During the convocation, Jennings told an auditorium of female students that there had been three false rape accusations during the previous semester at Lincoln. Jennings told the crowd such allegations can ruin a young man’s life and urged them not to put themselves in a situation where they would be “trying to explain something that really needs no explanation.”

Jennings’ comments sparked outrage and protests from both parents and students at Lincoln University. Many criticized the remarks as appearing to blame women for sexual assault.

"When he was saying it I felt like he was accusing girls of lying in general," said Rachaya Miles, a student at Lincoln. "That's not the case." 

Jennings apologized for the remarks and said in a message on the university's website that he was trying "to emphasize personal responsibility and mutual respect." He also said, “Sexual misconduct will not be tolerated” at the university.

Founded in 1854 and based in Oxford, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Lincoln University is the first degree-granting historically black university in the United States. While it was founded as a private school, it became a public institution in 1972. Notable Lincoln alumni include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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