Santa Clara University President Resigns After Investigation

SANTA CLARA, CA — Santa Clara University President Kevin O’Brien, a Jesuit priest who delivered the homily at a mass at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, resigned from his post earlier this week following an investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior.

O’Brien had been placed on leave since March, when reports of misconduct first surfaced.

According to a letter sent by John Sobrato, the chair of the university’s board of trustees, the investigation found O’Brien “engaged in behaviors, consisting primarily of conversations, during a series of informal dinners with Jesuit graduate students that were inconsistent with established Jesuit protocols and boundaries.” Alcohol was involved, according to Sobrato, who added that no inappropriate behavior was found in settings outside the dinners.

“The Board of Trustees takes this situation very seriously and fully supports those who came forward to provide their accounts,” Sobrato said.

In his own letter to the school community on Wednesday, O’Brien said that in early March, his Jesuit Provincial, Scott Santarosa, “expressed concerns to me about my well-being” regarding accounts of his behavior over the past year “in certain social settings with adults that did not meet the highest standards of decorum expected of me as a Jesuit.”

Neither letter provided additional details about the incidents.

“Throughout the process, I asked for no preferential treatment because of my position, presumed the good will of all involved, and fully cooperated,” O’Brien wrote.

O’Brien had been president of the university since 2019 and has been a priest since 2006. He previously served as dean of the university’s Jesuit School of Thought.

Founded in 1851, the private Jesuit-run Santa Clara University is oldest operating institution of higher learning in California and has around 9,000 students.

According to Sobrato's letter, O’Brien notified the board of trustees of his resignation on Sunday and they accepted it on Monday. O’Brien will continue to remain on leave and has begun participating in a therapeutic outpatient program to address personal issues related to alcohol and stress counseling, the letter said.

“The Board of Trustees takes this situation very seriously and fully supports those who came forward to provide their accounts,” Sobrato wrote.

O’Brien said in his letter that after completing the program, he expects to return to active ministry as a Jesuit priest.

The board said it would immediately begin searching for a new president. Lisa Kloppenberg, the provost, will continue serving as acting president during the search.

“One of the things I value most about SCU is the way that our community supports each other during challenging times,” Kloppenberg said in a letter to the school community. “I realize that a development like this can bring up many feelings — I humbly ask everyone to give each other grace and space as we collectively absorb the news of Father O’Brien’s resignation.”