University reaches six-figure settlement in assault lawsuit

The University settled out of court a $25 million sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former student.

Tiffany Williams said University officials were slow to respond to an alleged assault involving three athletes.

The assault claim from 2002 deals with a charge that Williams had consentual sex with former Georgia basketball player Tony Cole.

She later told police former two other athletes sexually assaulted her.

Williams argued school officials endangered her by recruiting Cole, despite knowledge of his history of sexual misconduct.

Although he did not give the exact number for the settlement, University attorney Ed Tolley said they agreed on a six-figure settlement.

Williams was acquitted of any wrongdoing, and criminal charges against Cole and Thomas were dropped.

University to give honorary law degree

The University will award an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to Vernon E. Jordan Jr. May 12 at the undergraduate commencement ceremony.

Jordan was one of the lawyers who helped Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes enter the University in 1961 as the first black students.

“The University of Georgia takes great pride in recognizing his achievements and contributions with this honorary degree,” University President Michael Adams said in a news release.

Jordan went on to became a national civil rights leader.

He also worked in Washington, D.C., advising U.S. President Bill Clinton and Sen. John Kerry.

D.C. program to begin next spring

The University developed a Washington semester program for 20 students to participate in each semester, starting in spring 2008, Jere Morehead, vice president for instruction, said in a news release.

Participants in the program will live in Washington, D.C., and intern in congressional, executive, private and nonprofit offices throughout the city.

Students will receive six hours of credit from the internship.

Morehead said the program will allow the University to compete with other schools with comparable programs.

- University News Services