STATE OF MARYLAND
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

 

LAR RY OGAN
GOVERNOR

May 30, 2019

Office of the Board of Regents
University System of Maryland
3300 Metzerott Road

Adelphi, MD 20783

To the University System of Maryland Board of Regents:

Following the tragic death Jordan McNair and the subsequent investigation conducted by the University
System of Maryland Board of Regents, I assured the people of this state that my administration would
hold the university?s leadership accountable for the reforms necessary to ensure student safety is always
the top priority at College Park and throughout the system. Mr. McNair?s death rightfully prompted
multiple investigations and brought to light numerous inadequacies in how the university dealt with a
medical emergency. Unfortunately, I am deeply concerned that the University learned nothing from that
troubling and tragic episode.

The circumstances surrounding the death of Olivia Paregol deserve to be investigated with the same
intensity and purposefulness that the Regents devoted to the passing of Mr. McNair?with particular
attention paid to decision making by the leadership of the University, as well as the public health team.
Furthermore, this investigation should commence immediately and should examine the events
surrounding the outbreak of adenovirus on the University of Maryland, College Park campus last fall, as
well as the handling of Ms. Paregol?s death speci?cally.

The Paregol family?s grief has been considerably worsened by the lack of urgency?and lack of
transparency?shown by university officials before and after Olivia?s death. There are serious questions
about how this happened, and the families who entrust their children to your care deserve your assurance
that they will receive answers.

According to published reports, university officials chose not to disclose con?rmed and suspected cases
of adenovirus to students and families. Just as, if not more disturbing, is the revelation the university held
on to this potentially life-saving information for weeks. It appears that, at just about every turn, leaders
withheld information instead of being open and honest with the student body. There must be a full review
of these decisions, and of the officials who made them.

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University officials hold a higher responsibility to students, faculty, and staff. There should never be a
question as to whether the campus community will receive timely and accurate information, especially
when it is an urgent matter of public health and safety. It should not take the death of a student for the
university to alert families about an illness spreading through campus, whether it is a common cold or
meningitis like the university saw in 2014. Caution is sometimes understandable and called for, but
common sense should never be overruled by bureaucratic protocol when lives are on the line.

A thorough investigation into the handling of the adenovirus infonnation?including a review of the
university?s health center?is necessary. It will provide the context and facts needed to move forward. If
any o?icials are found to have been negligent, it is vital that you take swift action. In the interest of
transparency, I ask that the ?ndings of this review be released to the public.

I look forward to your prompt response to this request, and am con?dent you will decide to look into this
matter further.

Sincerely,

Larry an
Governor