The findings of an investigation into the multicultural climate of the Ball State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, which were released Tuesday, were more positive than negative, President Jo Ann Gora said.
Gora released the findings of the investigation during a press conference to announce the reorganization of the athletics department.
"We were pleased that the study did not indicate a hostile environment for persons of color among students and staff, so that was very reassuring," she said.
Two Ball State professors conducted the study during the summer and fall, a period which Gora described as "a time of considerable uncertainty and anxiety in the athletic department."
The investigation concluded the athletics department is not a racially hostile environment, Gora said. However, there is room for improvement, she said.
"Student-athletes did indicate that tolerance and understanding of multicultural issues could be strengthened, and that's an area in which we always want to be sensitive and take extra measures," she said.
The staff also expressed concerns in the investigation, she said.
"Concerns within the staff indicated concerns of communication within the department, gender equity and feelings of a need of more general support," Gora said. "These findings culminated in a concern about leadership within the department that focused primarily on communication from leadership. There was also an indication that these concerns dated back many years."
The investigation began after men's basketball coach Ronny Thompson resigned in July after he said he found racist notes in the coaches' office.
The event led to national scrutiny of the athletics department and university and culminated last week when Ball State announced it reached a $200,000 settlement with Thompson.
The results of an external investigation by Judge Myra Selby were released Dec. 19., one day after Ball State and Thompson met to discuss the settlement, according to the agreement between the parties.
Gora said the findings of the investigation by the professors were delayed because Selby's investigation needed to conclude and there would have been too much going on at one time.
Similar conclusions were reached by the investigations, Gora said.
Both investigations are classified as confidential, and Gora said they will not be made public.
"This is a deliberative document that the authors even before they collected data said that they felt it should be a confidential document because they were going to promise confidentiality to their respondents and they wanted people to be as candid as possible," Gora said.
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