CU President Betsy Hoffman has had enough of football coach Gary Barnett's callous comments about women. Now, there's a man who either needs of good dose of common sense or the ability to keep his mouth shut. Because he did himself, his team, and his university no favors by blaming the victims of alleged sexual assaults by members of his football team. President Hoffman's suspension of him was highly appropriate, since he seems unable to take the crime of sexual assault seriously.

As the number of young women claiming they've been assaulted by recruits or team members grew, it was unimaginably stupid to say, as Coach Barnett did last Tuesday, that "We have not done anything wrong. There isn't a shred of evidence to this date to back up any allegation that's been made. And there won't be."

How does he know there won't be any evidence backing up these allegations? The investigation is just beginning. He should have said, and meant it, "I am deeply concerned about these charges. I am committed to running a football program based on integrity, excellence, and respect. I am anxious to see the results of the Regents' investigative process."

CU President Betsy Hoffman and the Board of Regents, on the other hand, are taking the charges seriously. Their commission to investigate the sexual assault and harassment allegations includes such exceptional Coloradans as former Supreme Court justices Jean Dubofsky and Luis Rovira. "Everyone's job is on the line," the President has proclaimed, including hers.

Appointing a special assistant to monitor the athletic department, reporting directly to President Hoffman and Boulder Chancellor Richard Byyny, is another good move. The Athletic Department must ensure that athletes meet the highest standards of conduct. A special assistant can insist that all athletes learn strong values and appropriate behavior-and make sure that sticks.

More needs to be done, however. When young women expose themselves to the invasive publicity that accompanies a rape charge, particularly when they don't name their attackers, it's fair to assume there is a problem needing immediate attention. If the CU football team does, indeed, operate in a culture of disrespect for women, that culture must be changed today. That means coaching young men not just in the requirements of great football, but also in the attributes of civilized behavior. This should be mandatory in CU's athletic program and delivered by someone who walks that talk.

It would be very helpful if the victims named their attackers and pressed charges. It's no surprise, however, if they find that chilling. They would likely be subject to harassment, threats, and ridicule, not to mention the humiliating loss of their privacy. Nevertheless, the only way to get thick heads to understand that violence against women is criminal behavior in our society is to treat the guilty like the criminals they are and to punish them accordingly. That won't happen if charges aren't filed.

What is also distressing is seeing some of our elected officials seeking political advantage in this mess. That's not political leadership; it's craven pandering. If politicians want to help solve this problem, they can be role models for respecting others. They can insist that sexual harassment and assault laws be firmly enforced. They can talk about a civil society and respectful behavior on their political rounds. They can help to make our culture one that values everyone's dignity.

Now it's time to let the investigation go forward. Rapidly. We need to know the facts and to take prompt action to remedy the problems uncovered. It's also time to listen carefully to what these young women are saying. To discount their stories before getting the facts is vindictive and cruel.

And, finally, it's time to stop tolerating any culture, any person, any program that encourages or makes light of abusing women. Whether it's a college campus or a workplace or a home, a civilized society, which we claim to be, can never permit any of its members to be harassed or intimidated or harmed. If the CU football program does have a culture of humiliating women, it is only a reflection of a larger failure in our society, which must be stopped wherever it occurs.