San Jose State University's president will resign in December, after additional calls for her to do so following the release of the findings from a federal Title IX investigation two weeks ago.
Dr. Mary Papazian said on Thursday she will resign on Dec. 21, at the conclusion of the fall semester. Papazian had served in the role since 2016, drawing widespread criticism for the school's handling of over a dozen allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault against former head athletic trainer Scott Shaw.
Papazian said in a statement that "the best interest of the campus continues to be at the forefront of every decision I make," including hers to resign.
"I truly love this university and believe this choice will allow the focus to be positively and solely on our talented, diverse and outstanding campus," she said. "It has been my great honor and privilege to work with the exceptional SJSU students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners."
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Sept. 21 that, as part of a settlement, the university would pay $1.6 million to 13 female student-athletes who participated in the university’s investigation or the federal inquiry. The university also agreed to overhaul its Title IX office while the Justice Department monitors the campus' progress through 2025.
San Jose State announced the completion of its own investigation in April, prompting initial calls for Papazian to step down. She said in a campus-wide letter that the probe corroborated the stories of 17 members of the women's swimming and diving teams who alleged Shaw harassed and assaulted them as part of a 2009 investigation.
The university cleared Shaw of wrongdoing in 2010, but USA Today reported last April that San Jose State reopened the investigation after swimming coach Sage Hopkins resurfaced the allegations. Shaw stepped down from his role last August.
Papazian said she will continue to cooperate with "an external Title IX Procedural Investigation" as well as additional investigations into Shaw.
"This transition does not impact our intention and obligation to understand what occurred and how the university responded at the time," she said. "I made a promise to our community and to the affected student-athletes and their families, and I plan to honor it. My heart, apologies and prayers continue to be with those student-athletes who suffered a breach of trust during their time at the university."
California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro will name an interim president after meeting with campus stakeholders. Once the interim president is named, the California State University Board of Trustees will then search for Papazian’s permanent replacement.
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