Report received, public release delayed

Diane Barz delivered a report on the University of Montana's sexual assault investigation to President Royce Engstrom on Tuesday.

Despite Montana's state records law — which says public documents must be available "on demand" to anyone who requests it  —  the University said in a press release at 4:43 p.m. Tuesday that the report won't be public until "Engstrom has had time to read and review the information."  Vice President Jim Foley said that could be several days.

Foley reiterated that Engstrom wants the time to review the report before making it public. He directed questions about whether delaying the release of a public document goes against state records law to UM legal counsel.

UM's attorney, David Aronofsky, said he hasn't seen the press release or report yet so he couldn't comment. He was on his way to class just after the press release was sent, but said he would look into the question of public access in the morning.

Barz, a former state supreme court justice, was hired at $150 an hour in December to work with the University's Title IX representative Lucy France to evaluate how well UM handles reports of sexual assault after Griz athletes allegedly attacked female students. At a community forum earlier this month, Engstrom said the University is now looking into at least five different cases after more victims came forward He confirmed some of thoses cases involve athletes.

jayme.fraser@umontana.edu