Baylor says ‘Ken Starr is president’ amid speculation

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Baylor University and its president are facing mounting pressure over how the school has handled reports of rape and assault by football players, and the Texas university says its governing board is still considering the results of an internal investigation into the matter.

Asked about reports Tuesday that the board of regents had voted to fire school President Ken Starr, university spokeswoman Lori Fogleman said in an email, “Ken Starr is president and chancellor of Baylor University.” Fogelman did not elaborate.

In a separate statement issued by the university, Baylor said its board has not finished reviewing the report by Philadelphia law firm Pepper Hamilton “and we anticipate further communication will come after the board completes its deliberations.” The statement said the private university wouldn’t comment on the reports about Starr

“We will not respond to rumors, speculation or reports based on unnamed sources, but when official news is available, the University will provide it. We expect an announcement by June 3,” the school said.

Starr did not respond to a telephone message left at his office or email requests sent to university media relations.

Speculation that regents will fire any Baylor officials have focused on Starr, not Briles, who has built the program from one of the Big 12’s worst into a conference and national powerhouse.