MADISON, Wis. — A University of Wisconsin-Madison disciplinary committee has expelled a Twin Cities student accused of sexually assaulting and harassing nearly a dozen women.
UW-Madison spokeswoman Meredith McGlone wrote in an email to media outlets on Tuesday that the committee found Alec Cook, of Edina, responsible for violating university student conduct policies related to a crime of violence and upheld the university’s expulsion recommendation.
It’s unclear when the committee reached its decision. UW officials say under federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act they can release only the student’s name, violation and sanction. Cook has until March 24 to appeal the decision to Chancellor Rebecca Blank.
Cook has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts, including strangulation, sexual assault and false imprisonment.
Cook’s attorney, Chris Van Wagner, said the hearing was Feb. 24 and the panel voted 2-1 to expel him. The university didn’t notify him of the vote until just before midnight on Friday.
Van Wagner said Cook didn’t get a fair hearing and he’ll appeal.