Sep 03, 2015 03:20 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Baylor University's (BU) Board of Regents announced it would hired an outside firm to investigate how the school handled Sam Ukwuachu's transfer from Boise State University (BSU).

According to The Associated Press, the BU regents selected the Pepper Hamilton LLP law firm to review the school's handling of sexual assault complaints in general. Among the cases the firm's partners, Gina Maisto Smith and Leslie Gomez, will look at is an incident for which Ukwuachu was convicted and sentenced to 180 days in jail.

Ukwuachu was accused of raping a female former BU student-athlete in Oct. 2013 after transferring from BSU that March. Both BU and BSU have denied knowing of allegations of domestic abuse against Ukwuachu before he transferred.

"I am pleased with our board's swift and astute decision to retain the services of Gina Smith and Leslie Gomez to examine our processes and policies," Ken Starr, BU's president and chancellor, said in a statement. "Ms. Smith and Ms. Gomez are skilled and experienced investigators who will help us pinpoint where we are strong and where we need to make improvements to ensure the highest degree of integrity to protect the safety and welfare of all our students."

BU called Smith and Gomez "well-recognized experts in the institutional response to all aspects of sexual misconduct matters." The school also recognized how sexual misconduct has grown in prevalence on college campuses.

"With a national practice focused on the institutional response to all aspects of sexual misconduct matters, Smith and Gomez advise colleges and universities on federal, state and local regulations, including Title IX, the Clery Act, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, changes in the laws and investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct, including sexual violence," BU said in its statement. "They regularly conduct policy audits and assist in policy development, design and implementation of internal and external operating procedures."

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