Message from the Board of Trustees, Feb. 17, 2017
"The Michigan State University Board of Trustees is deeply concerned about the allegations of sexual assault against former MSU doctor Larry Nassar connected to his work at MSU. We affirm sexual assault has no place in our Spartan community. Michigan State University has been responsive to this situation, taking active steps over the past months that have been articulated in various university statements.
The board wants to make clear its commitment to actively monitoring this situation and working with the president to ensure appropriate action. The law firms of Skadden Arps and Miller Canfield have been engaged since October, 2016 and January, 2017, respectively, to represent the university in all aspects of this matter. This representation will include conducting the factual review necessary to address the allegations being made and to assess Nassar’s former work at the university, including his work with MSU Athletics. The legal team, led by Patrick Fitzgerald, a former federal prosecutor and United States Attorney, has also been providing guidance on how the university can best conduct the factual review so as to not interfere with the separate investigations being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Michigan Attorney General. These firms are keeping the board and President Simon fully informed. We are meeting with these external counsels to ensure the work is conducted fully and thoroughly, and as facts are gathered and reviewed, we will ensure appropriate action is taken.
We support the administration’s commitment to creating a safe community, improvements in Title IX process and compliance as well as efforts to create a campus where individuals feel supported in coming forward to report offenses when they do occur. We acknowledge and appreciate the courage of each person who comes forward to report. As these matters are the subject of criminal investigation, litigation, ongoing review, and various privacy laws, there are constraints on what the university can share publicly; however, MSU will continue to share key developments and information as appropriate.”
--Chairperson Brian Breslin on behalf of the Board of Trustees