University of Oregon settles suit with James Cleavenger for $1 million
On May 10, the UO agreed to settle the lawsuits brought against it by former UOPD officer James Cleavenger for $1 million. The university also cancelled its Ninth Circuit appeal in exchange for canceling his own appeal in his state lawsuit.
Cleavenger first sued the university for wrongful termination and retaliation in 2013, which he won in September 2015. The university lost its first appeal in February and refiled in March.
“This case was a victory for every honest police officer in the state of Oregon,” Cleavenger said in a statement.
UO senate maintains current mandatory reporting policy
A motion to revise the “Responsible Employee” policy failed at the UO Senate meeting May 18. The vote was 15-16 with 20 absent senators.
Sexual assault survivor Brenda Tracy pushed against the idea that mandatory reporters should be in the majority.
“Mandatory reporting does not support us; it silences us,” Tracy said.
According to UO Senate President Randy Sullivan, university President Michael Schill will need to address questions about mandatory reporting moving forward after the failure of the proposal.
UOPD begins search for a new chief
Search committee members who are screening candidates for the new UOPD chief met for the first time on May 9.
The committee consists of 13 members — including faculty, students, UOPD staff members, UO administrators and Eugene Police Department Chief Pete Kerns.
“We are accepting applications up until May 18,” said Andre Le Duc, assistant vice president of UO’s Risk Management. “At that time, we will have the committee review those applications and then do a ranking process to determine which candidates will advance.”
The search group will utilize a consulting group to broaden its selection of qualified applicants. Le Duc will make the final hiring decision, but the committee will advise him.