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Lynch will be tasked with leading a review of
"processes and accountability mechanisms in place at the
University to detect, report and respond to potential misconduct
in its athletics programs, including hazing, bullying and
discrimination of any kind."
Lynch, who served as attorney general under President Barack
Obama from 2015-17, is currently a partner with the New
York-based law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
"Hazing has absolutely no place at Northwestern. Period,"
university president Michael Schill said in a school release
Tuesday.
"I am determined that with the help of Attorney General Lynch,
we will become a leader in combating the practice of hazing in
intercollegiate athletics and a model for other universities."
The results of Lynch's investigation will be made public.
The move comes in the aftermath of hazing allegations made
against the football program while under the direction of coach
Pat Fitzgerald, which resulted in his termination. Allegations
then mushroomed into other sports, also leading to the dismissal
of Wildcats baseball coach Jim Foster, who was accused of
bullying and abusive behavior.
Myriad lawsuits from football players and athletes across the
sports spectrum have been -- or are being -- brought against
Northwestern.
In addition to the probe led by Lynch, Northwestern announced
earlier this month that it would launch a review focusing on the
university's "ability to detect threats to the welfare of
student-athletes."
Fitzgerald was first suspended after an initial independent
investigation, led by outside attorney Maggie Hickey of law firm
ArentFox Schiff, found that hazing existed within the football
program but that Fitzgerald had no knowledge of it.
The school fired him days later on July 10.
--Field Level Media
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