Pac-12 mainstays UCLA and USC are planning on leaving the conference for the Big Ten as early as 2024. It’s massive, earth-shaking news for both conferences as college football inches closer to the long-rumored two-conference, professional model. The Pac-12 will soon be back to the Pac-10, and losing two of their biggest draws could spell doom for the conference.

Both Los Angeles schools have been conference powerhouses in multiple sports for many years. USC, armed with new head football coach Lincoln Riley, appears to be a national contender over the short and long term. UCLA has been one of the best men’s college basketball teams over the past few years under Mick Cronin. Both schools have enjoyed sustained success for many years, and are now leaving the Pac-12 in the dust for other opportunities.

It’s certainly not good news for the Pac-12 and commissioner George Kliavkoff, who has a massive headache on his hands. The conference’s failure to consistently be in consideration for the College Football Playoff, combined with a lack of national attention, certainly has teams second guessing whether or not they want to be a part of the Pac. 

Other large schools with athletic success such as Oregon, Stanford, Washington and Utah may have their attention pulled elsewhere in the coming years.

The Pac could now potentially search for replacements to fill those spots, with potential names including Boise State, Utah State, San Diego State and Fresno State, among others. 

The Big Ten and the SEC are quickly becoming the nation’s biggest draw for college athletics, and it’s only a matter of time before more of the biggest schools from the ACC, Pac-12 and other conferences heavily consider moving. 

For the Utes, this move will cement them as one of the best athletic programs in the conference, and as the Pac-12’s clear-cut best current football program. If they continue their sustained success over the next few years, the Utes could potentially find themselves with an invite to jump ship from the Pac as well. 

In the short term, it’s not good news for the conference’s visibility and national respect, but Utah could end up benefiting from a mass exodus from the Pac-12 into a larger national spotlight, if they’re lucky enough to be invited. If they keep dominating football the way they have been, which should be easier in a weakened conference, the Utes will find themselves moving up the ladder in no time.

e.pearce@dailyutahchronicle.com

@e_pearce_

@splashcitynba

The post UCLA and USC Jump Pac-12 Ship, Leaving Remaining Conference Members Reeling appeared first on The Daily Utah Chronicle.

Laura Janke, the former USC assistant soccer coach who fabricated athletic profiles to facilitate the acceptance of children of wealthy parents in exchange for bribes as part of “Operation Varsity Blues,” was sentenced to time served with one year of supervised release and 50 hours of community service June 21. Ali Khosroshahin, a former USC soccer coach who hired Janke and also accepted bribes in exchange for falsified recruiting, was sentenced to six months of home confinement Wednesday.

A Los Angeles couple, Davina and Bruce Isackson, who paid $600,000 to admit their daughters to USC and UCLA as bogus athletic recruits, also avoided jail time and were both sentenced to time served, one year of probation and fines Tuesday.

Janke, who was dismissed from USC in 2014, pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy as part of admissions consultant turned bribery scheme mastermind William “Rick” Singer’s college admissions scheme in May 2019. 

Following her March 2019 arrest, Janke agreed to cooperate with the federal investigation into the scandal in April of the same year, providing “substantial assistance in the government’s investigation and prosecution of others,” the government’s sentencing memorandum reads. Janke’s testimony in two trials resulted in the conviction of parents Gamal Abdelaziz and John Wilson and former women’s water polo coach Jovan Vavic. Court documents from Janke’s sentencing reveal that she displayed “genuine remorse” for her actions throughout the course of the proceedings. 

Khosroshahin, who worked as the USC women’s soccer head coach from 2007 to 2013, hired Janke in 2007 to serve as assistant coach to his team. The two were previously acquainted — Khosroshahin recruited and coached Janke as a soccer player at Cal State-Fullerton. According to court documents, Khosroshahin informed Janke of the scheme and solicited her help in admitting bribe-paying applicants as fake soccer recruits. 

Khosroshahin, who prosecutors said initially “expressed reticence” at Singer’s proposal for the scheme, worked with Janke to submit deceitful athletic profiles — some created by Singer, some by Khosroshahin and Janke themselves — to the University’s subcommittee on athletic admissions. The former coaches accepted one or two of Singer’s applicants per year while receiving Singer’s payments to the USC soccer program and later to their private soccer club. 

Janke must forfeit $129,213.90 in ill-gotten gains from bribery payments — the sum was transferred from her and Khosroshahim’s private soccer club to Janke personally after October 2012.

Khosroshahim pleaded guilty in 2019 to assisting Singer in conducting “side door” admission to USC and has cooperated with authorities investigating the scandal, ESPN reported. Though prosecutors in Khosroshahin’s case had not been seeking home confinement or prison time for him, United States District Judge Indira Talwani believed prosecutors’ sentencing recommendations to be insufficient. 

Davina, fined $1,000, and Bruce, fined $7,500, used Singer’s connections and scheme to facilitate the admission of one of their daughters as a bogus soccer recruit and the other as a crew recruit to USC and UCLA. In May 2019, the pair pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud.

Bruce’s attorney wrote in a sentencing memorandum that Bruce cooperated with the federal investigation over the course of three years, sitting for government interviews, providing documents and testifying in two trials. 

“All told, Mr. Isackson’s cooperation was a significant factor in the successful prosecution of almost 40 other defendants,” the document reads.

Davina, too, was one of the first parents in the case to plead guilty and announced publicly her cooperation in the investigation within a month of her arrest in March 2019, court documents show. The three-year pre-trial supervision period Davina served was decided to be sufficient time served.

“She has spent more than three years as the subject of public ridicule and humiliation, including facing her own children’s anger at her,” Davina’s attorney said in her sentencing memorandum.

UCLA issued a letter June 13 regarding the matter of the Isacksons, writing that their wrongdoing deprived the university system of the ability to allocate highly desired spots on the school’s intercollegiate varsity sports teams to truly deserving student-athletes. 

“The conduct of Bruce and Davina Isackson struck at the integrity of UC’s merit-based admissions process and the interests of the University and the public it serves,” the letter read. 

Janke’s attorney declined the Daily Trojan’s request for comment. Attorneys for Davina and Bruce did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The post Former USC coaches, parents implicated in Varsity Blues scandal sentenced appeared first on Daily Trojan.

Dylan Burkett/The Cougar

The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic continue as people begin to go back to their normal lives. There are invisible consequences of the pandemic that have affected the minds of thousands of people around the world. 

Alongside the physical health concerns people have to go through because of the pandemic, people are showing higher signs of emotional distress. 

More than half of young adults in the country are reporting symptoms of an anxiety or depression disorder which is an increase compared to previous years. 

A part of this could be from the lack of time and introspection people took to process what the pandemic made them go through. 

The pandemic did not allow some people to take care of themselves. It forced people into an unnatural state of isolation and survival mode. 

With so many questions regarding employment, school, bills and health concerns, the problems were never-ending and required people to put their personal issues on pause. Many of these people have been on pause for over two years and counting. 

Alongside that, COVID-19 cases are constant with a daily average of 7,426 cases each day in Texas. With new variants showing up on the radar every few months, feeling like each one is more contagious than the next, these cases will only continue to rise. 

To add on, once people get vaccinated, they tend to get more relaxed with precautions. 

Vaccinated individuals can still get infected with the virus, however, their symptoms are usually mild or nonexistent. In fact, one in four vaccinated individuals who are infected shows no symptoms at all. 

This is concerning as vaccinated individuals with the virus can spread the virus to others. 

All this is to say that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over; there just have been fewer conversations surrounding it. 

In a way, wanting to move on from one of the darkest years of the 21st century is understandable. Nobody wants to dwell on the past when there’s so much to look forward to in the future. 

However, leaving things on the back burner is unhealthy. 

There are many things that are out of one’s control: the state of the economy, the outcome of the pandemic and the actions of others. 

With those in mind, there are also things that are in one’s control like choosing healthy coping mechanisms or even something as simple as taking a mental health break. Everything that has happened in the past two years has been tiring with no blueprint as a guideline 

Instead of ignoring it, it’s best to face it with a critical eye that wants to change things for the better, not the worse. 

Cindy Rivas Alfaro is a journalism sophomore who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

—
“The pandemic consequences we should take a look at” was originally posted on The Cougar

Why TikTok isn’t just a dance app to me

Hsi-Min Chan/File

TikTok has practically taken over social media, being the platform for almost every new trend that surfaces. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a daily user, nearly everyone at least has the app downloaded on their phones. TikTok’s short videos make for great entertainment to pass the time, especially with how scarily accurate its infamous algorithm is.

Yet, with its expansive popularity comes a whirlwind of criticism. With every group of people who enjoy scrolling through various videos on their “for you” pages, there’s a bitter old soul who refuses to download the app because of how useless and childish it may seem. TikTok has established itself a reputation as “the trendy dance app,” which — in a sense — is true, but it’s so much more than that. Although it’s fun to jump on the latest video trend, TikTok offered so much more to me.

Like many people, I’ve found new information on TikTok such as current events. Although it’s vital to fact-check anything you come across on the app — as you should with anything randomly found on the Internet — TikTok is where many young people get their news first. It’s also where many professionals can share advice about their specialties. In my experience, TikTok has been my hub for advice and information on skin care, mental or physical health and many other things.

The platform also gave me a sense of “togetherness.” With an algorithm specific to your personal tastes, you find small connections with people who enjoy the things you do. Whether I’m sharing fan theories about my favorite shows or showcasing newfound food recipes, I’ve always found a community on the app. On top of that, the app is also an opportunity to find new things you may enjoy. As I got further into my small groups of people that shared my same interests, many users introduced me to new movies, shows and hobbies I may enjoy as well.

I found that TikTok can also open people up to perspectives that may be different from their own. With a diverse set of users and creators sharing aspects of their lives and knowledge on the app, I’ve learned things about others’ lived experiences. Others may go onto the platform to seek help or raise awareness, from political issues to different cultures, and TikTok’s popularity aids in these messages reaching a vast amount of users. Although the “for you” page is specific to every person, I’ve learned new things about others’ experiences and situations around the world.

TikTok has evolved massively since its introduction as the silly lip-syncing app, Musical.ly. For me, it’s not only a platform for the latest trends but also one for collective communities, helpful information and awareness. It’s an app that I’ve found to be both entertaining and beneficial (when used respectably, of course). Even if the app does seem “useless” or “childish,” there’s also nothing wrong with taking a break and indulging in the little bit of fun that is TikTok. 

Contact Geneva Hopwood at ghopwood@dailycal.org.

The Daily Californian

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Interim Minneapolis Police Chief Amelia Huffman announced in a press conference on June 13 changes to the disciplinary and wellness policy for the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), as an attempt to improve accountability and transparency.

While some local activists see the reforms as positive steps toward ending police brutality against people of color, others are skeptical they will make a difference.

The reforms and policy changes come after the Minnesota Department of Human Rights released the results of their investigation into MPD on April 27. The Department found that MPD engages in a pattern of race discrimination caused by an organizational culture of flawed training, deficient accountability systems and a lack of collective action from MPD and City of Minneapolis leadership.

The reforms include setting a maximum of 74 hours that police officers can work each week and clarifying levels of discipline for specific policy violations.

Reactions to disciplinary updates are mixed

Updates to the levels of discipline went into effect June 1, with policy violations categorized in five discipline levels classified in a matrix from A to E. The offenses and their assigned disciplinary action increase in seriousness with each level.

According to the discipline matrix, A-level violations result in “non-disciplinary corrective action,” like coaching, and apply to violations such as failure to appear in court and failure to properly inspect one’s vehicle.

E-level violations, which result in the officer’s termination, include acts of bias or discrimination and unnecessary use of force likely to cause serious injury or death. This specific outline of violations and the discipline to be enforced for each is meant to improve accountability for officers who cause harm, according to the City of Minneapolis’ June 13 press release.

Toshira Garraway Allen, founder of Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence, said the updates to the discipline matrix represent positive change by outlining the consequences for unacceptable behavior on the part of officers.

“How else are you going to let [officers] know that this is not okay?” Garraway Allen said. “We have to do something to go forward, and the right thing to do is to remove people who are hurting others.”

Jae Yates, an activist from Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar said they were not as hopeful about the new measures.

“This is another example of the mayor’s office trying to placate people,” Yates said. “It sounds like this is not going to be enforced.”

Ward 3 Council Member Michael Rainville did not share this concern. He said when the new police chief is hired, they will be a “miracle worker.”

Trahern Crews, founder of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, said the changes represent a “baby step in the right direction” for police accountability, but he is concerned with the clarity of the levels of discipline outlined.

“I think the grading thing needs to be more clear and understood so that community members, activists and police all understand if you do this, this is what’s going to happen,” Crews said.

Department of Human Rights calls for organizational change

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights presented the results of their investigation of the MPD’s conduct, which started June 1, 2020 and was completed April 27, in front of Minneapolis City Council’s Committee of the Whole June 14. During the meeting, Department Commissioner Rebecca Lucero said supervisors approve “inappropriate and potentially unlawful behavior” of officers.

Lucero said during the meeting that in one instance, an officer hit a 14-year-old Black child with a flashlight and put him into an unconscious neck restraint because he didn’t “stand up fast enough” after the officer told him to stand up from the ground, where he was playing on his cell phone. The officer’s supervisor approved this behavior, Lucero said, so the officer was not punished.

Crews said the Department of Human Rights’ findings were “astounding,” and it felt good to have the knowledge and experiences of residents of color verified.

Yates said they were frustrated with how long it has taken city government officials to notice the problems laid out in the report.

“It’s frustrating that it takes a human rights report to realize the police force is racist,” Yates said.

Rainville said the Department of Human Rights’ report, along with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into MPD that is currently underway, will show the city where to go next with police reform and “make everyone safer.” The two investigations will lead to the creation of at least one consent decree, which is a court-enforceable document that identifies changes that need to be made and timelines for them.

“The DOJ is doing a much deeper dive [than the Department of Human Rights],” Rainville said. “We’ve turned a corner here.”

Lucero declined an interview with the Minnesota Daily, but in an email to the Minnesota Daily, pointed out that during their investigation, officers repeatedly expressed a desire for additional mental health and wellness support.

This type of support was announced along with the disciplinary updates, as the city is now pursuing trauma-informed mental health services for officers and will also create a health and wellness manager position, who will be expected to create a “robust wellness program” for MPD staff.

Officers can no longer work more than 16 consecutive hours, must take at least eight consecutive hours off for every 24 hours worked and have at least one 24-hour day off from work each week. During the June 13 press conference, Chief Huffman said these limits will affect a “relatively small group of officers.”

“Our folks need to be at their best when they come to work,” Huffman said during the press conference. “And that means having adequate time to rest and recharge.”

Huffman also said during the press conference that MPD has “significant staffing challenges at this point,” which creates a need to balance supporting officers’ well-being and providing public safety services.

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Head coach Ben Johnson and the Golden Gophers are set to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies, led by Mike Young, next season for the annual Big Ten/ACC challenge, followed by Head Coach Tony Stubblefield and DePaul’s Blue Demons for the Gavitt Tipoff Games.

The Big Ten/ACC Challenge is set to take place on Monday, Nov. 28 in Blacksburg, Virginia. The date and time for the Gavitt Tipoff Game between Minnesota and DePaul is TBD.

The Gophers are 12-11 all time in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. They have won their last three challenge games, including a tight competition against Pittsburgh last year, where they narrowly defeated the Panthers with a final score of 54-53.

Last year, Virginia Tech finished the season going 23-12. They went on to win the ACC Tournament and were granted an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament where they lost to Texas Tech in the round of 64.

The 2022 Big Ten/ACC Challenge will be the second time Minnesota has played against Virginia Tech. The two teams last played in the 2011 Big Ten/ACC Challenge, where the Gophers defeated the Hokies 58-55.

The Gavitt Games began in 2015 and only eight Big Ten teams are selected to play each year. The Gophers have been selected to play three times and hold a record of 2-1 in the competition. They last played in the Gavitt Games in 2019 and lost to the Butler Bulldogs.

DePaul has played in the Gavitt Games six times. It currently holds a record of 3-3 in the competition. Their most recent appearance was in 2021, when they defeated the Scarlet Knights from Rutgers.

The Blue Demons finished last season with a record of 15-16 and finished 10 out of 11 in the Big East conference with a record of 6-14 in conference play.

The last time the Gophers met the Blue Demons was November 2019 when DePaul came away with a 73-68 victory at Williams Arena.

Did you know that you can get cash back from your Walmart.com purchases? It’s true! When you purchase gift cards from Walmart.com, you’ll receive a portion of the cashback that is earned. What’s more, you don’t need to spend a lot to earn and use your gift cards at Walmart. You only have to spend $5 or more to get started — no minimum purchase is required. To get started earning on your own with Walmart gift cards, follow these steps: Plan out how much money you want to spend per month on groceries, essentials, and other things that should be on your regular menu each day. Set a budget each week to figure out what purchases to make while sticking to your plan for the week. If you’re not comfortable making financial decisions such as budgeting yet, ask a parent or guardian to help plan for the month ahead. Make sure any relevant information is listed on a “notifications” tab so you don’t miss important emails or calls from friends and family asking about your spending habits. 

Can You Get Cash Back from Walmart Gift Cards?

Yes, you can get cash back on Walmart gift cards. Walmart offers a variety of different rebate strategies, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, some things that may work well for you include using the gift card as a form of payment for other items, redeeming the gift card for money, and using the gift card to purchase goods or services.

How Can You Get Cash Back From Your Walmart.com Card Purchases?

• When you are considering a purchase from Walmart.com, look for gift cards as an option for payment. One of the most common ways to get cash back from your Walmart purchases is by purchasing gift cards. The process for doing this is fairly simple and straightforward. First, find the item you want to buy on the website, and then click on the “Pay with a gift card” button. After that, you will be able to enter your gift card information in order to complete your transaction. The cashback will be added to your online account (or mailed to you in some cases) after a few days have passed since the transaction was completed.
• There are other ways that you can get cash back from Walmart purchases besides using a gift card as payment for an item or service that you plan to buy anyway. For example, if you use a debit card or credit card to pay for eligible items at Walmart, then getting cash back may be as easy as checking your email inbox every few days! That’s because many rebates offers come in the form of emails confirming that certain items have been purchased at certain times and locations within a certain period of time (for example: “We noticed that someone bought eggs at our store in Auburn Hills on June 5th between 3 pm and 6 pm). If your email address matches what they have on file, then it’s very likely that they’ll send you $5 or $10!
• The final way to get cash back from your Walmart purchases involves actually purchasing goods and services with a gift card. For example, if you buy $1,000 worth of groceries at a Walmart store, then they’ll give you a gift card for $100. This is one of the most common ways to get cash back from your Walmart purchases because it is so flexible and convenient.
• If you have a Visa or MasterCard in addition to a Walmart credit card, then you can use them all together in order to maximize the value of your rebate offers! This is because many rebates offer to allow you to receive cash back for multiple transactions that are completed within a certain period of time (for example: “You can earn up to $20 in rebates on grocery purchases made between July 1st and September 30th”). Using multiple credit cards at once can help you take advantage of this type of offer. The only thing you have to do is make sure that the credit cards have the same billing address so that you can receive your rebate as a one-time lump sum payment.
• Finally, don’t forget about using your gift card to receive cash back from Walmart purchases! After all, if you’re going to pay with a gift card anyway, then why not get some extra cash back?! For example, if you buy $10 worth of groceries at a Walmart store with your gift card, then they’ll give you $1 cashback. If you buy $100 worth of groceries with your gift card, then they’ll give you $5 cashback. The more money that goes through your gift card at a single time, the more cashback that will come out on the other end!

What Is The Best Way To Use A Gift Card At Walmart?

1. When you’re buying something at Walmart, then the best way to use your gift card is to buy a combination of non-perishable food items and non-perishable items that can be used in the kitchen. For example, if you’re buying groceries with a gift card, then the best way to use your gift card is to buy canned vegetables and canned fruit. If you’re buying clothes with a gift card, then the best way to use your gift card is to buy underwear and socks.
2. The second best way to use a gift card at Walmart is by purchasing consumable items that are not going to spoil for quite some time (for example toilet paper, toothpaste, and diapers). This is because most Walmart stores won’t allow you to redeem an expired gift card for cash back (since they might not have any more money on their end).
3. The third best way to use a gift card at Walmart is by buying things that are going to last for a long time (for example laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and paper towels). This is because most Walmart stores will allow you to redeem an expired gift card for cash back if the item that you’re redeeming the gift card for was purchased within 30 days of the date on your gift card.
4. In order to take advantage of the most generous cashback offers from Walmart, then you should try and buy items that are going to be used in your home (for example toilet paper, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and paper towels). If you’re buying these items with a gift card, then you can redeem your gift card for cash back as many times as you want!
5. If you’re not sure whether or not an item that you’re buying is going to be used in your home, then the best way to find out is by asking a cashier at Walmart! This is because most cashiers at Walmart will have the ability to tell you whether or not something that you’re buying is going to be used in your home.

Conclusion

The best way to use a gift card at Walmart is to use it to purchase groceries. Grocery items cost the least and can be purchased regularly. Once you’ve set a budget for each month, you’ll know exactly how much money you need to purchase groceries each week. Once you’ve done that, you can use your gift card at any participating store. Be sure to research each store and make sure that the price of your groceries is less than what you budgeted for on a monthly basis. If not, your gift card money should cover your groceries until the next period.

The post Can You Get Cash Back from Walmart Gift Cards? Do It Yourself! appeared first on Marquette Tribune.

How do UC Berkeley students practice sustainability?

William Webster/File

Before we know it, back-to-school season will be here, thus bringing crowds of college students searching for dorm essentials and trying to figure out which dining hall serves the least-soggy eggs. This time around, take a more sustainable approach to the upcoming school year. The following will serve as the perfect guide to help you be a sustainable student while on a college budget.

“The most important (thing to remember about sustainability) is getting a sense of how to quantify emissions from our daily lives, and how that translates into climate change,” said Ioanna Kavvada, a campus PhD in civil and environmental engineering.

Kavvada explained that sustainability classes helped her change her lifestyle to become more eco-friendly. 

She minimizes her usage of heating and cooling systems in her home, explaining that changes such as these are not only helping the planet, but are cost-effective.

“In my daily life, I try to be as sustainable as possible. For example, I recycle, and before, I didn’t used to, as well as composting,” Kavvada said. “I don’t have a car. I bike, and that’s not only for sustainability.” 

Camille Roberts, a campus junior who is also in the civil and environmental engineering department, encouraged students to use public transportation in the Bay Area. 

“We’re given free Clipper cards, so we have free access to all the buses,” Roberts said. “That’s something that a lot of students don’t take advantage of.”

Making changes in the products you use is also a great start. A small shampoo bar can make a big difference. Kavvada switched to using only soap bars after she learned about the high rates of water waste in the liquid soap industry. Isabella Peters, a campus senior also in the civil and environmental engineering department, pointed out that materials you think are unusable may not be. She shared that her family grows a large garden in their backyard and that she reuses coffee grounds and banana peels as fertilizer.

“Usually about one-third of your fridge goes in the trash, so buy less,” Peters said. “Only buy what you need.” 

Sustainability is definitely college-student friendly. You can find ways to be sustainable that don’t break the bank. 

The same goes for dining halls. We know it’s hard to control yourself when there’s all that food for a fixed price, but these situations can create a lot of food waste. 

“I think that practicing sustainability is not that hard, it just takes getting used to,” Kavvada said. 

To remember little changes you can make to stay sustainable, Roberts suggested thinking about your habits. Maybe even make a list, or, if you’re forgetful, set a couple of reminders for yourself. Pretty soon, those conscious efforts will make a regular habit. 

Spread the word — don’t be shy to tell your family and friends what you learned, or use social media to talk about it. The more sustainability, the merrier!

Contact Sophie Horvath at shorvath@dailycal.org.

The Daily Californian

Editor’s note: This article discusses sexual assault. If you or anyone you know has experienced abuse or assault, the Aurora Center’s 24-hour helpline can be reached at (612) 626-9111.

The University of Minnesota’s Deputy Associate Dean for the Global Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program was accused of actively working to undermine his student after she was sexually assaulted, in a memorandum by the student’s legal team released June 16.

The alleged assault took place in August 2018 by Richard Liu, billionaire and founder of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com. He was attending the residency portion of the Global DBA program, which is a degree the Carlson School of Management offers in partnership with the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management in China.

The program is tailored for top-level executives working full-time in China and teaches students to better face business challenges and innovate with a global mindset, according to the Carlson School website.

Haitao (Tony) Cui has been a Carlson School faculty member since 2005 and invited the alleged victim, who was a University undergraduate student in 2018, to join the DBA China program as a volunteer. The alleged victim was told she would have the opportunity to “interact and network with top-level business executives,” according to the civil complaint filed by the victim against Liu in April 2019.

Liu allegedly assaulted the student after a dinner in Minneapolis that she had been told was to celebrate volunteers of the program, according to the complaint.

The alleged victim was the only volunteer present, according to the complaint. Instead, several DBA China program executives attended the dinner as a business networking event on behalf of JD.com.

According to the complaint, the student felt uncomfortable when she learned she had been singled out for an invitation but did not want to insult the powerful business executive who invited her on Liu’s behalf by not attending the dinner.

Liu coerced the student to drink alcohol at the dinner, according to the complaint. When the student tried to arrange for a ride home, she was instead directed into a limousine with Liu, who allegedly groped her and tried to remove her clothing despite her repeatedly asking him to stop.

Upon arriving to the student’s apartment, Liu allegedly followed her upstairs and raped her in her room, according to the complaint. The student messaged another volunteer in the program about the assault, and he called the police, who subsequently entered the building and arrested Liu.

The student is suing Liu and his company, JD.com, in excess of $50,000, according to the complaint. She is seeking punitive damages to punish Liu for harmful conduct.

The lawsuit is expected to go to trial in September.

Cui allegedly acts against his student after assault

After the alleged incident, Cui acted as a liaison between Liu and his legal counsel, which was confirmed during deposition by Liu’s lawyer, Jill Brisbois, according to the June 16 memorandum.

Brisbois initiated a series of phone calls to the alleged victim, which were made while Cui and a JD.com employee were on speakerphone. Cui recorded the phone conversations without the student knowing he was on the call, Brisbois said during deposition, according to the memorandum.

Cui’s conduct in the aftermath of the alleged assault led University Corporate Law Professor Richard Painter to question whether Cui violated University policy on sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking and relationship violence through acting against his student’s best interests after she claimed to have been raped by a participant in the Global DBA program.

“The University can do what the University thinks is appropriate,” Painter said. “The University has had two years to conduct an EOAA [Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action] investigation. We have not heard anything about it.”

In an email to the Minnesota Daily, the University stated that it is legally prohibited from releasing information about specific allegations or investigations.

“The University fully and appropriately responded to this situation when it arose in 2018, and we disagree with any allegations to the contrary,” according to a statement from the Director of Public Relations Jake Ricker. “The University’s response was consistent with the rights of victim-survivors, due process and all applicable University policies.”

Cui’s attorney, , wrote a statement on behalf of Cui in an email to the Minnesota Daily. Wallace-Jackson said Cui is “constrained” in what he can say about his involvement with the case and wanted to clarify that much of the information offered in the memorandum is “significantly disputed.”

“Once he was alerted to the situation, Dr. Cui joined others at the University who did their exhausted best to work tirelessly that night and the next day to support the plaintiff and the defendant as they followed University policies while trying to safeguard the respective rights of both parties,” Wallace-Jackson said. “Dr. Cui has cooperated fully in answering questions … And he is not aware of any finding that his actions violated the law or any University policy.”

Investigator’s actions were “particularly troubling,” plaintiff’s lawyers say

The day after the arrest, Sept. 1, 2018, former Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) Investigator Matt Wente became involved in the case, leading to a “woefully inadequate” criminal investigation, according to the memorandum.

While a Hennepin County judge had determined there was probable cause to arrest Liu and hold him without bail, Wente disagreed, saying in the deposition that he would not have arrested Liu because there was no probable cause, according to the memorandum. Liu was released the afternoon Wente became involved, according to a May 25 memorandum.

Wente told Brisbois there would be no charges against Liu and provided her with the full name and phone number of the alleged victim. This is not typical protocol, according to the June memorandum.

Wente said in the deposition that this was the only time he could remember giving the victim’s phone number to the perpetrator’s criminal defense lawyer, and he was aware that the alleged victim was a “young student from a foreign country [who] did not have legal representation at that time” when he provided the defense that information, according to the June memorandum.

According to the memorandum, the day after the alleged incident took place, Wente ignored the alleged victim’s calls for his help and instructed Brisbois to do the same.

The memorandum states these actions on the part of Wente indicate the MPD was “impacted” and “intimidated” by the defendant’s status as an influential and wealthy businessperson.

The Minnesota Daily was unable to reach Matt Wente for comment ahead of publication. The Minneapolis Police Department said Wente is no longer an employee of the MPD.

Minnesota Daily policy is to not name individuals who claim they have been sexually assaulted, unless given permission.