A team of 16 academics will examine Boston University’s hockey “culture” as part of a task force formed by the school’s president, Robert Brown.
As promised by Brown last week, the group was assembled to “restore” the team’s name, following sexual assault allegations against two of the university’s star hockey players.
“These charges have given rise to legitimate and serious questions about whether the hockey team’s culture and climate have contributed in some way to the actions of the two individuals,” Brown wrote in a letter to the task force. “The University must address these questions and, if deficiencies are identified, make appropriate and necessary changes.”
The team will be tasked with delivering a report by the end of the summer so the school can consider making necessary changes before the next academic year begins, according to Brown’s letter.
The two separate sexual assault cases, brought against players Max Nicastro and Corey Trivino, both 21, shadowed the school in the last three months.
“We will take whatever steps are necessary to restore the community’s confidence in our men’s ice hockey program,” said Brown.
Task force to the rescue
BU President Robert Brown wants the 16-person team to conduct research so the school can make changes. The plan is to:
Compare how hockey players perform academically to others
Scrutinize hockey players interactions in the BU community, comparing their conduct with typical students
Examine the disciplinary history of the hockey squad and how it matches up
Reach out and interview faculty, staff and students, including members of the hockey squad
Follow Steve Annear on Twitter @steveannear
