Student Senate voted to pass resolutions concerning NC State’s acknowledgement of an ongoing sexual abuse case and efforts to educate students about their civil rights in light of recent immigration enforcement cases.
First reviewed was the NC State Athletics Survivor Support and Accountability Act, which recounts the events and legal cases alleging sexual abuse and harassment by former Director of Sports Medicine Robert Murphy Jr. and expresses the Senate’s support of survivors.
Benjamin Locke, a former NC State men’s soccer player, filed a lawsuit in August 2022 alleging sexual abuse during his time in the athletic department being treated by Murphy. An NC State Title IX investigation into the matter concluded that had Murphy still been employed at the time, he would have received disciplinary action. No criminal charges were filed.
The resolution is in direct response to a lawsuit filed Sept. 17, 2025 with thirteen additional athletes alleging abuse by Murphy between the years 2012 and 2022.
The resolution acknowledges the bravery of those former students in coming forward and affirms the NC State student government supports survivors unwaveringly. Zainab Aleem, a fourth-year studying chemistry and a senator who sponsored the resolution, said it is part of the responsibilities of the student government to advocate for justice for all students.
“The survivors have shown immense courage in coming forward,” Aleem said. “I want to reaffirm, on the behalf of the student body, our full support for them. We remain committed to ensuring that the student government continues to push for accountability for NC State and works to prevent anything like this from ever happening again.”
It is further alleged that, “Locke’s lawsuit and others allege that complaints and warning signs were repeatedly raised to senior athletics officials,” but that “the university failed to take effective action allowing him to maintain ‘free rein’ in the athletic department.”
The resolution names several current and former administrators who are named as defendants in the lawsuit including former Chancellor Randy Woodson, former Athletic Director Debbie Yow and current Athletic Director Boo Corrigan.
“The safety, dignity, and mental well-being of students must take priority over institutional image, athletic success, or administrative convenience,” the resolution said.
The resolution calls for all athletes to have access to mental health resources and confidential reporting channels, mandatory sexual assault prevention training for all athletics staff and administrators, a review of the athletic departments protocols and for the university to acknowledge its failings in providing a safe environment for student athletes.
“This legislation is the bare minimum for the first steps towards real accountability, healing and meaningful change within our institution. It acknowledges the harm caused, not only by the actions of one individual, but by the systemic failures of the university to act,” Aleem said.
The Know Your Rights Act expresses the NC State student government’s commitment to its international community and proposes a campaign to spread awareness of immigrants’ rights on campus in light of the reinstatement of House Bill 318, which expands collaboration between local sheriffs and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
The resolution acknowledges the recent threats to Constitutional rights imposed by ICE and the many instances of legal citizens being detained and deported without due process. It also notes the case of 1,100 international student visas being revoked without cause in April 2025, which extended to several students at NC State.
Bella Echiburu, a third-year studying psychology, student senator, chair of the student senate committees on diversity, equity and inclusion and sponsor of the bill, said students have a duty to protect each other however they can.
“It is our right as students and our responsibility to make sure every member of our community knows their rights. Every student here deserves the chance to feel safe, pursue their education fully and to be treated with dignity and respect,” Echiburu said.
The resolution states “Student Government will do everything in its power to protect immigrant students,” and, “formally, and solemnly expresses support for, solidarity with, and commitment to immigrant and international students attending NC State University.”
Zachery W. Eddinger, a third-year studying political science and student senator , voiced his concern about the bill’s stance in contrast to the recent actions of the federal government and potential consequences that could have on the broader student government.
“In my interpretation of this bill, this is very much going against the federal government. So going off of that, be it what it will, I personally do not like the way this bill is worded, and I will advise caution towards that, because I feel that we need to stay as a nonpartisan organization,” Eddinger said.
The resolution states the student government will host listening sessions to facilitate and respond to student concerns on the matter of protecting NC State’s international community. The planned campaign to spread awareness of civil rights on campus will include a series of webinars that students can join anonymously and tabling events with an attorney present to offer legal advice.
Ava Butler, a first-year earning her masters in education, said this resolution is essential to the prosperity and success of the university as a research institution.
“By keeping an uninformed student body who does not know their rights, we deprive students of essential knowledge via the potential loss of visiting professors, speakers, peer learning opportunities from students and research that places our university among the top R1 institutions,” Butler said.
Echiburu said her committee is planning on collaborating with student organizations that are already working to advocate for the international community as well as the Executive Department of International Affairs and the Graduate Student Association.
“It is imperative that we advocate because of the climate we are currently living in,” Echiburu said. “Passing this resolution will not solve everything, but it will send a message that student government is willing to stand up, educate and advocate. It will give our students the tools they need to feel safe and empowered.”
Both the Know Your Rights Act and the NC State Athletics Survivor Support and Accountability Act were passed by the Senate and await the signature of the Student Body President.