Letter from the President: University Sends Letter Regarding Farrington

The Loyolan
September 28, 2012

http://www.laloyolan.com/opinion/letter-from-the-president-university-sends-letter-regarding-farrington/article_2e8cdcb2-0784-11e2-8a81-001a4bcf6878.html

Dear LMU Community:

I write to you in light of recent media reports that have highlighted credible sexual abuse allegations against Brother William Farrington, S.J. While the alleged abuse did not occur at LMU, Brother Farrington is a former member of LMU’s staff and Jesuit community. Several efforts are being undertaken to assure you of our unwavering commitment to a safe and healthy environment for all, as well as to gather additional information.

The alleged abuse occurred when Brother Farrington worked at two Jesuit high schools in Northern California. This was prior to his 1987-2002 tenure at LMU, during which time he worked in the Admissions Office and lived in the Jesuit community. To the best of our knowledge, when the Jesuits assigned him to LMU in 1987, the University was not informed of any past allegations, issues or limitations respecting Brother Farrington.

Furthermore, we are not aware of any allegation of improper conduct on the part of Brother Farrington during the 15 years he worked at LMU. Nonetheless, in 2002, his Jesuit provincial assigned him to the Jesuit Retirement Community in Los Gatos, California, following a complaint made to the provincial of the California Province by one of the alleged Northern California victims. The focus of the complaint had nothing to do with Brother Farrington’s conduct at LMU.

To ensure transparency with regard to this matter, a letter bearing my signature dated ... September 25, is being sent to 20,000 alumni who graduated in the years 1987-2006. The letter conveys the above details, and invites anyone with credible information of wrongdoing on the part of Brother Farrington during his time at LMU to contact Rebecca Chandler, Vice President of Human Resources, at 310.338.5118 or via email at rebecca.chandler@lmu.edu.

Additionally, an ongoing investigation is being led by university counsel. The California provincial, the LMU president and the rector of the Jesuit community when Brother Farrington came to LMU in 1987 are deceased. We have conducted 19 interviews to date, and will continue to engage with individuals who we believe might have relevant information.

I will continue to apprise you of further developments pertaining to this unfortunate situation.

Sincerely,

David W. Burcham

President