EAST LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – When Michigan State University learned of then head football coach Mel Tucker’s sexual harassment allegations in September, interim President Teresa Woodruff promised a “new MSU.” However, a recent investigation and report into two MSU’s Board of Trustees members reveals little has changed at the embattled university.
What did the report conclude?
An investigation into misconduct within the Michigan State University Board of Trustees found that board chair Rema Vassar and trustee Dennis Denno “engaged in conduct that exceeds the scope of their authority.” It recommends that the Board of Trustees ask Governor Gretchen Whitmer to remove the two members, who were elected by Michigan voters.
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The 66-page report detailed the violation of bylaws and code of ethics by Vassar and Denno. The report said the two interfered in investigations and lawsuits, encouraged personal attacks against other trustees, and “encouraged student actions intended to embarrass and unsettle Interim President Woodruff.”
Their behavior “has created fissures that have weakened the governance structure of the University and encouraged and created openings for members of the MSU community to also circumvent the Administration and reporting protocols, by leveraging individual Board members to act on their behalf,” according to the report.
What are the other main findings?
According to The State News, the report found that Vassar did not tell the board about her attempted negotiation with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel over the release of thousands of documents regarding of disgraced ex-MSU doctor Larry Nassar. Earlier this year, MSU finally told Nessel’s office they would release 6,000 pages of documents it had previously withheld citing “attorney client privilege.”
In addition, the report also says Vassar attempted to revise portions of the post-February 13, 2023 mass shooting report before releasing it to the public.
What prompted the report?
The above actions appear to be what triggered a letter from MSU trustee Brianna Scott on Oct. 30, 2023, calling for Vassar’s removal. Scott cited then that Vassar bullied colleagues and interfered in investigations.
Trustee Dan Kelly, the chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, released the MSU report to the community late on Wednesday. He said, “The board takes our responsibility and governance seriously and is committed to upholding our code of ethics.”
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Miller & Chevalier, the lawsuit that investigated the allegations, said Denno and Vassar were the only two trustees who declined to give the firm access to their cell phones, not did they provide self-selected cell phone data relevant to the investigation.
What’s the cost?
The State News reports that the most recent information shows in a one month time period from Oct. 30 to Nov. 22, Miller & Chevalier billed the university $500,699. In addition, MSU paid for legal representation for Vassar.
During that same time, MSU investigated who released the name of Mel Tucker accuser Brenda Tracy to the media.
What’s next?
The report recommends that Scott be censured, and that Vassar and Denno’s potential removals be referred to Gov. Whitmer.
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