After a second man reported inappropriate misconduct by former Senior Associate Athletic Director John Chadima, UW-Madison Chancellor David Ward announced Monday the university will launch another investigation into his behavior.
The most recent allegation comes two weeks after an investigation into accusations that Chadima sexually assaulted a student employee at a Rose Bowl party in December.
While the statement released by Ward did not disclose the details of the claims, Ward said “police have corroborated many of the details of the individual’s story and believe it to be credible.”
Initially, authorities and colleagues including Athletic Director Barry Alvarez said they thought the initial incident was isolated, but Rep. Steve Nass, R-Town of La Grange, said in a release Monday that he is not surprised to learn about the additional accusations.
Now, Nass is urging the university to launch a “thorough administrative review” of the Athletic Department.
“There is growing concern that Chadima’s conduct may have been directly or indirectly enabled by the current structure and management environment,” Nass said.
Although Ward said university police have been investigating the latest allegation since Jan. 30, he said he has asked former Judge Patrick Fielder to conduct an independent investigation with two other investigators.
Fielder also headed an investigation concerning December’s allegations.
After Ward briefly discussed the situation at a faculty senate meeting Monday, senate member Sarah Goldrick-Rab thanked the chancellor for updating faculty first hand. She said faculty at other universities often only receive such information from the media.
“I do hope that you keep us included in this and that we keep hearing about it,” Goldrick-Rab said. “The idea that anything would happen to our students, and to multiple students, is extremely upsetting to me. We want to see our athletics be something we can be proud of.”
Ward is encouraging anyone with information regarding “inappropriate conduct” by Chadima to report to the police or to Fielder. To contact UW police, call (608) 262-2957 or email report@general.wisc.edu. To contact Fielder call (608) 262-3017.
