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Report: MSU trustees created an environment of fear

The report by a law firm in Washington D.C. found violations of board policies and bylaws from MSU trustees and recommended corrective action for some.

EAST LANSING, Mich — A new report by Miller & Chevalier, a law firm in Washington D.C., has released their findings into an investigation into Michigan State University's Board of Trustees, suggesting that two board members, Chair Dr. Rema Vassar and Trustee Dennis Denno have their actions reviewed by the Governor.

Credit: MSU
Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Rema Vassar

Retained on Oct. 30, 2023, the law firm was hired by the MSU's Office of Audit, Risk and Compliance after Trustee Brianna Scott released a public letter raising allegations Board Chair Dr. Rema Vassar violated various Board of Trustees policies, including:

  • The Board of Trustees Code of Ethics and Conduct
  • The Board of Trustees Bylaws
  • The Board of Trustees Conflict of Interest Policy

While the report looked at numerous claims against different trustees, they focused in on Board Chair Dr. Vassar Trustee Dennis Denno. 

Credit: MSU
Trustee Dennis Denno

No Stranger to Controversy

MSU has been no stranger to controversy and tragedy within the past decade-and-a-half. The report points out that since 2018 after MSU President Dr. Lou Anna K. Simon resigned after controversy on how she handled the Larry Nassar crisis, the university has appointed five presidents.

It also points out instances like Larry Nassar, the controversy of former Head Football Coach Mel Tucker allegedly sexually harassing Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor in 2022, and the mass shooting on Feb. 13, 2023 as a "test of the strongest institutions and governing bodies." 

That, coupled with the recent turnover of presidents, has "led to a fraught relationship between the Administration and the Board of Trustees, resulting in the Board of Trustees at times assuming an outsized role in the institution."

A Culture of Fear and Retaliation

Miller and Chevalier interviewed the entirety of the Board of Trustees, including several in administration and staff roles. Some interviewed made comments to the firm that Board Chair Dr. Vassar and Trustee Denno created an environment filled with fear of retaliation.

One person in the report said, “This Board has been known to retaliate . . . . There have been fear tactics that have been put into place. This Board has been difficult to work with, but I don’t want any blowback.”

Another person commented saying that the fear of retaliation mainly came from Dr. Vassar, and while they didn't want to anger Denno and be subject to his "wrath", it wouldn't be a "career ender."

When interviewing Chair Dr. Vassar and Trustee Denno, the firm said they witnessed firsthand some of the aggressive conduct themselves, with the two at times referring to their colleagues in a "demeaning manner".

The Report

One of the allegations against Chair Dr. Vassar include negotiating a settlement deal with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who was forced out of the university after allegations arose that he "failed to file a report with the Office of Institutional Equity (“OIE”) in compliance with the University’s mandatory reporting requirements."

Others include using a private jet rather than a donor while on university business and allegedly bullying Interim President Teressa K. Woodruff.

They also covered allegations that Trustee Denno and Chair Dr. Vassar told students to embarrass the interim president during a Nov. 1, 2023 meeting. The meeting was in advance of a student group meeting with the interim president.

Findings

The firm did say that Trustee Denno and Chair Vassar violated different board policies throughout their investigation. They recommended that the Governor review the allegations as for corrective action.

They also found that Trustee Brianna T. Scott also violated a standard in the  Trustees Code of Ethics and Conduct, but only recommended a censure.

You can find the full report here.

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