Two Women Sue Furman University After Reporting Sexual Assaults
Greenville, SC – A Bob Jones University student said she was invited to a football player’s party on Furman University’s campus. At the party, she claimed she was drugged and then sexually assaulted. Another woman said she went to a fraternity party underage and left after drinking a lot of alcohol. Later that night, she said one of the fraternity members came to her dorm, more alcohol in hand, and forcibly advanced on her despite her refusals.
In two lawsuits filed in 2020 and 2023, respectively, both women made the decision to sue Furman, in addition to their alleged assaulters, for what they describe as the school’s role in failing to prevent their sexual assaults. Furman University has led the state’s major universities in reported rapes per capita in campus dorms several times in recent years, according to an analysis of Clery Act disclosures by The Post and Courier. The Clery Act requires all colleges and universities receiving federal funding to publish an annual security report with statistics of crime occurring on campus.
Reported Sexual Assaults at Furman vs Other Institutions
In 2023, Furman, with 2,407 beds, reported seven rapes on campus, more than other major universities in South Carolina like the College of Charleston, Clemson University, and Coastal Carolina University. The University of South Carolina reported nine rapes on campus, and Clemson reported four rapes on campus, despite having larger on-campus populations.
Furman University attributed the higher numbers to its emphasis on creating a “reporting culture” that encourages women to come forward and report incidents. Furman’s Title IX coordinator, Melissa Nichols, stated that the school’s robust reporting system aims to provide resources and support to students who experience sexual assault.
Efforts to Prevent Sexual Assaults
Furman University has focused on removing barriers to reporting, making employees mandated reporters, providing educational awareness programming, and offering students choices on how to proceed when reporting an incident. These efforts aim to create a safe environment and address sexual assault cases uniquely to support victims.
Lawsuits and Allegations
Both lawsuits against Furman University have been filed by the same Greenville law firm, Hawkins and Jedziniak. The women allege that the university was motivated by “unreasonable financial gain,” claiming that the institution knew about the assaults but failed to take appropriate precautions. Furman has denied all allegations of wrongdoing in court filings.
The 2020 lawsuit involves allegations of a culture within the football team that led to sexual assaults, while the 2023 lawsuit focuses on an underage woman’s assault at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. The fraternity declined to comment on the lawsuit but emphasized its commitment to promoting a safe environment for members and guests.
Past Lawsuits and Resolutions
Previously, Hawkins and Jedziniak settled a 2018 lawsuit with Furman related to another alleged sexual assault by a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. The resolution of the suit led to adjustments in fraternity culture on campus, with Furman no longer allowing fraternities to have their own houses and increasing oversight over Greek life activities.
Furman University’s efforts to address sexual assault cases and promote a safe campus environment reflect a broader national concern about sexual assault on college campuses and the importance of creating reporting structures that support victims.
