Something Was Wrong

S25 Ep8: Fifty and a Feather

February 13, 2026

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  • The Title IX process at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) was perceived by the complainant as prioritizing comfort and collaboration initially, but ultimately failed to find the respondent responsible for sexual misconduct despite evidence, relying on a narrow interpretation of the 'preponderance of evidence' standard ("fifty and a feather"). 
  • The respondent, Professor Cato Buss, actively attempted to control the narrative and discredit the complainant by instructing his romantic partner, Miranda, and other students on how to present their stories to Title IX investigators. 
  • The episode highlights the intense social and professional isolation experienced by the complainant, Morgan, as the department quickly turned against her after she filed the report, demonstrating a significant institutional betrayal and a cult of personality surrounding the professor. 

Segments

Initial Title IX Reporting Process
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(00:08:41)
  • Key Takeaway: The initial Title IX meeting with Adrienne Martinez felt comforting and validating, but the coordinator presented the process as supportive resolution rather than strictly procedural.
  • Summary: The complainant met with Title IX coordinator Adrienne Martinez on December 5th, 2017, and felt believed and professionally handled during the initial report. The coordinator explained the choice between informal and formal resolution processes. The complainant chose the formal investigation, wanting Kato to have fair representation.
Formal Investigation Details Shared
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(00:12:05)
  • Key Takeaway: The standard of evidence for the formal investigation was explained as ‘preponderance,’ or ‘50 and a feather,’ meaning anything over 50% proved responsibility.
  • Summary: The investigator explained the ‘preponderance’ standard of evidence, which required proving the incident happened by more than 50%. The complainant was told she could review statements and see the final report draft before submission to the dean. The investigator aimed to notify Kato before the winter break began.
Professor’s Suspicious Behavior Noted
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(00:14:01)
  • Key Takeaway: The complainant suspected Kato knew about the Title IX filing when he suddenly reached out to resolve an old, unaddressed dispute from April.
  • Summary: The complainant flagged Kato’s sudden outreach regarding an old instructor dispute as a sign he might be aware of the complaint. The investigator dismissed this concern, stating there was no reason he would know anything at that time. The complainant was told she would be notified when Kato was officially notified of the complaint.
Conflict Over Improv Trip
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(00:14:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Kato circumvented the complainant’s decision to avoid him by arranging for his romantic partner, Miranda, to join an improv trip she was withdrawing from.
  • Summary: The complainant withdrew from an upcoming improv trip due to concerns about traveling with Kato, despite the Title IX office’s inability to offer immediate travel protection. Kato then advised the improv group to invite Miranda, who was not a member, leading the complainant to realize Kato was intentionally disregarding boundaries.
Breach of Confidentiality and Guilt
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(00:16:53)
  • Key Takeaway: The complainant immediately regretted sharing details of Miranda’s relationship with Kato to a casual acquaintance, recognizing it was not her place to disclose that information.
  • Summary: After venting her anger about the trip situation to a random theater student, the complainant felt immediate guilt for exposing Miranda’s private relationship with Kato. She acknowledged that sharing Miranda’s story was inappropriate and not her business to reveal.
Miranda’s Discovery and Evidence Destruction
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(00:21:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Upon learning Morgan filed a Title IX, Miranda and Kato immediately deleted all digital communication and fabricated a cover story to explain their frequent meetings.
  • Summary: Miranda was informed by a friend that Morgan was filing a Title IX complaint naming her, prompting her to panic and meet with Kato. They collectively deleted texts, Snapchat contacts, and school emails, agreeing on a false narrative that Kato was only visiting her apartment to drop off books.
Olivia’s Experience as a Witness
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(00:24:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Kato preemptively informed witness Olivia about the Title IX allegations, attempting to manipulate her into providing character testimony on his behalf before she spoke to investigators.
  • Summary: Olivia received a hushed email from Title IX naming her as a witness, but Kato contacted her first, detailing Morgan’s allegations and expressing distress over his marriage and daughter. Kato essentially asked Olivia to be a character witness for him, claiming Morgan was trying to destroy his life.
Olivia’s Testimony and Aftermath
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(00:25:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Olivia was honest with Title IX about Kato providing alcohol but denied knowledge of the relationship, leading to the department depersonalizing and blaming Morgan for involving her name.
  • Summary: Olivia told Title IX that Kato provided alcohol, which the investigators seemed focused on, but she denied knowledge of the relationship, stating she would know if Kato was involved with a student. Following the interview, Miranda apologized to Olivia for involving her, and both she and Rihanna subsequently hated Morgan for filing the report.
Rihanna’s Fear and Testimony
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(00:27:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Rihanna initially avoided the Title IX interview out of fear of retaliation from Kato and betrayal toward her friend Miranda, but ultimately testified after Morgan prompted her.
  • Summary: Rihanna was terrified to testify because Kato held power over her future and she felt she was betraying Miranda. She only went in for the in-person interview after Morgan ran into her on campus and insisted they go together. Rihanna provided texts showing Kato visiting Miranda and her witness statement regarding the sexual relationship.
Morgan’s Title IX Outcome
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(00:43:20)
  • Key Takeaway: The Title IX investigator found Morgan credible but ultimately ruled Kato not responsible, a decision the Dean upheld by focusing on minor inconsistencies in terminology (‘slap’ vs. ‘grab’) rather than veracity.
  • Summary: The investigator’s final draft noted Morgan’s veracity and consistent reporting efforts but still found Kato not responsible. The Dean concurred, explicitly stating that the difference between reporting a ‘slap’ and a ‘grab’ constituted an inconsistency that prevented meeting the ‘more likely than not’ standard.
Impact of Institutional Failure
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(00:48:01)
  • Key Takeaway: The complainant felt compelled to finish her degree quickly and withdraw from all departmental involvement because remaining felt like co-signing the department’s acceptance of Kato’s behavior.
  • Summary: The complainant felt unsafe and believed continuing involvement in the department meant co-signing the behavior that the university failed to address. She finished her required student teaching and graduated in December to leave the environment. She asserted that faculty had a responsibility to call out visible, questionable behavior like intoxication and favoritism.
Miranda’s Post-Title IX Relationship
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(00:57:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Following the Title IX ruling that barred Kato from travel and required supervision, Miranda and Kato resumed their secret relationship, and Miranda began speaking about him again.
  • Summary: The Title IX conclusion resulted in Kato being barred from school travel for a semester and requiring a professor to be present during meetings with Morgan. Miranda and Kato remained friends, and Miranda eventually started mentioning Kato again, confusing the complainant who believed the process would stop the relationship.