DENVER—The University of Colorado wants a federal appeals court to reconsider its decision to revive lawsuits brought by two women who claim they were raped by football recruits at off-campus parties.
Last month’s ruling by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sent the case back to a lower court for a trial. On Tuesday, the school filed a request for all the judges on the appeals court to hear the case and decide the issue again.
Most cases are usually considered by a three-judge panel that makes a decision for the whole court.
The women alleged they were raped at an off-campus party in 2001 and that CU violated federal law against gender discrimination by fostering an environment that allowed sexual assaults to occur. No criminal sexual assault charges were ever filed.
The appeals court panel ruled there was evidence the alleged assaults were caused by the school’s failure to adequately supervise players.
However, CU lawyers said that the appeals court decision contradicts previous rulings that schools must have known about harassment and ignored it before they can be held liable.
A telephone message left with the lawyer for one of the defendants, Lisa Simpson, wasn’t immediately returned.
