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CPD starts investigation, UM Curators mull inquiry in alleged assault of MU swimmer

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UM Curators are urged to raise tuition at the University of Missouri in Columbia by as much as 7.5 percent.

The Columbia Police Department confirmed Monday it will start investigating the alleged 2010 sexual assault by University of Missouri football players of former MU swimmer Sasha Menu Courey.

After the alleged assault, Menu Courey was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, and she committed suicide in June 2011.

The CPD learned of the possible rape when MU turned over information related to the incident Saturday night. This came after an ESPN report questioned the university’s handling of the case, before and after her death.   

UM System President Tim Wolfe released a statement Sunday night calling on the Board of Curators to launch an independent review of how the university responded to Menu Courey’s situation.

UM System spokesperson John Fougere says the review will help identify if there were any shortcomings on MU’s part.

“This is exactly the time for us to evaluate how the situation was handled, what can be done better, how can we improve ourselves for other challenges down the road, and also to help us to clearly understand how we can better serve individuals on our four campuses who may have been victims of sexual assault or may have mental health issues,” Fougere said.

Missouri curators say they expect a public discussion this week.

The Board of Curators meet Wednesday in Columbia. Curators David Bradley and Wayne Goode told The Associated Press Monday the board will review system President Tim Wolfe's call for an external legal review into Sasha Menu Courey's death in 2011.

The university's athletic department initially respondedto an ESPN story on the swimmer by defending its handling of the case. The school says neither Menu Courey nor her parents sought a police investigation and didn't respond to requests for more information.

Menu Courey’s family said in a press release they’re pleased MU will be conducting an independent review of the university’s actions surrounding the case. 

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