Rutgers President Robert Barchi Holds Town Hall Meeting In Newark, N.J.
By Robin Rieger
NEWARK, N.J., (CBS) - At a town hall meeting at Rutgers Newark, university president Robert Barchi tried to talk strategic planning for all school campuses. But students and faculty in attendance interjected with other questions about basketball coach Mike Rice's firing for his treatment of players, including anti-gay slurs and how it was handled by the school.
Barchi tried to defend himself and said all practice videos will be reviewed to monitor coaches' behavior.
"If there was anything in my time here I would like to have done over again it would be to have seen that video," said Barchi.
Christian McFarland was one of those calling for Barchi to be fired.
It clearly shows it was something they wanted to sweep under the rug," said McFarland.
The university board, who along with Governor Christie supports Barchi, announced Monday it would seek an independent review of the case.
"When he became convinced their judgment was wrong, he took appropriate action to make sure they were no longer in position to make those kinds of decisions," said Christie.
Some faculty members and students are upset that Coach Rice will be paid just over $1 million after being fired.
"That money could be used to fund our anti-bullying law so that we could have the appropriate training and programming in place so that these incidents don't happen," said faculty member Luanne Peterpaul.
Athletic director Tim Pernetti, who resigned and tweeted Monday his thanks for support, will leave with $1.2 million in salary and more than two years of health insurance.
While saying he wasn't clear on the details, Barchi did confirm an FBI investigation. The Associated Press reports the FBI is investigating whether a former Rutgers employee tried to extort money from the university regarding the videotape.
