BOARD OF SUPERVISORS County of Dane ROOM 106B, CITY-COUNTY BUILDING 210 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BOULEVARD MADISON, WISCONSIN 53703-3342 608/266-5758 • FAX 266-4361 • TDD 266-4121

University of Wisconsin Interim Chancellor David Ward 161 Bascom Hall 500 Lincoln Drive Madison, WI 53706

University of Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez Kellner Hall 1440 Monroe Street Madison, WI 53711

March 26, 2012

Dear Chancellor Ward and Director Alvarez,

I write to express my strong disappointment at a statement made by Athletic Director Barry Alvarez regarding an alleged sexual harassment and assault victim.

The alleged incident was reported in the Wisconsin State Journal on Friday March 16, 2012. It stated that a former football player, after being taken to former assistant athletic director John Chadima’s home by Chadima, locked himself in the bathroom at Chadima’s home to get away from Chadima’s sexual advances.

Chadima’s attorney, the newspaper article said, berated the former football player: “It is implausible to believe that a 20-something former college football player would cower and lock himself in the bathroom”. This statement is offensive—it insults and mocks an alleged victim for “running away”. I am relieved that Chadima is no longer in any position of authority. Despite being offensive, though, Chadima is entitled to his defense.

However, I was shocked to see Alvarez echoing Chadima’s defense. In an article in the Wisconsin State Journal on Wednesday March 21, Alvarez sarcastically and mockingly makes fun of the alleged victim: “Was that the accusation from a so-called ex-football player who had to lock himself in a closet to hide from John?” How dare Alvarez make fun of an alleged victim who, if telling the truth, kept his wits in a very dangerous situation and made the right decision to remove himself from trouble. It is acceptable for Alvarez to have a personal opinion as to the accuracy of the accusation, but it is not appropriate for Alvarez to bully the alleged victim as not being man enough by locking himself in a closet.

The message Alvarez sends to future victims is clear—Don’t report a sexual assault or you risk being made fun of. And don’t run away from danger but stay and fight, like a true football player. Future victims are cowards if they run away and hide. It is this kind of attitude that perpetuates the horrible sexual assault allegations that trouble Penn State’s Football Team and Syracuse’s Basketball Team.

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I expect both Alvarez and the University to take allegations of sexual misconduct with the highest level of concern. This should be especially true when the allegation is against an employee in a position of authority. Regardless of the veracity of this particular allegation, the university should take all allegations seriously and demonstrate a commitment to protecting its students and encouraging reporting of even minor concerns. Instead, Alvarez’s cavalier statement towards an alleged victim does the exact opposite.

I ask that Alvarez retract this statement and apologize for mocking and belittling an alleged sexual assault victim and his actions.

Sincerely,

Carousel Andrea Bayrd Dane County Supervisor