To Royce Engstrom, President of The University of Montana:
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your press release on March 22nd wherein you announced closure of the “Special Investigation” and resultant changes in education and protocol policies regarding sexual assaults on the campus. In this release as in all previous releases published on this issue, it seems obvious to me that you consider the “Student Athlete Conduct Code” and the “Student Conduct Code” to supersede the laws of the land! Perhaps you feel from your exalted position as President that you are the best qualified person to validate accusations of assault.
I suppose it’s pretty obvious that I have no respect for you, truth is I don’t like you. Since you and I will never meet, my feelings are of no consequence. However, I have two granddaughters who are students at the U.M. and a possible third next year. I believe this qualifies me to have concern over how the University plans to address the incidence of sexual assault past, present and future.
You might consider augmenting your special response team with the meanest old Gunnery Sergeant you can find. This individual could be responsible for the preliminary investigation of the alleged assault. I am sure he would not want to do it over the phone!
Dick Owings
Stevensville