"A problem:" Student journalists uncover years of assault, harassment allegations at UWM

MILWAUKEE -- Dozens of professors and staff members at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have been accused of sexual assault or harassment, according to a new report covering the past 4 years. The information was uncovered by UWM student journalists, who started asking questions as part of a class assignment. They say answers provided by the university have only led to more questions.

Talis Shelbourne said she credits movies for sparking her passion in journalism.

"My favorite are 'Spotlight' and Veronica Guerin," she said.

Shelbourne is part of the group of three UWM journalism students that uncovered dozens of professors and employees have been accused of harassment and sexual assault on campus over the past 4 years.

"We feel that students should be able to know who their professors are," Shelbourne said.

The students obtained a list showing 40 reports against 37 professors or staff members. The university determined 11 were violations.

Students said much of the information as to how the investigations were handled remains hidden.

"We want to know 'do you guys have a problem?' Why has the rate of exoneration been escalating the last few years? What kind of investigation is going on?" Shelbourne said.

Students pointed out the list doesn't offer names or punishments. Open records requests seeking that information, and other questions, like whether the university has ever paid settlements related to the violations have, so far, gone unanswered.

"I think there's certainly a problem as far as the transparency issue goes," Shelbourne said.

In a lengthy statement to FOX6 News, a UWM spokeswoman said, in part, the university "takes the issues of sexual assault and sexual harassment very seriously." UWM officials pointed out the campus has 8,000 employees and student workers and 90 percent of their workers have completed sexual harassment training over the past 6 months. The spokeswoman said "in the 11 cases where a violation did occur, appropriate discipline was taken. Most of the employees were terminated or had already left the university.'

Below is the complete statement from UWM:

Students said they'd like to see the paperwork themselves.

"We want to finish the story," Shelbourne said.

UWM officials said "the students will receive all the information they've requested and are legally entitled to."