EAST LANSING, Mich. – The turmoil surrounding Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees doesn’t seem to be dying down.
Board members Rema Vassar and Dennis Denno have been referred to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for potential removal.
The action came after a 66-page report revealed violations of the board’s ethics policies and bylaws. Before the meeting Sunday, March 3, Vassar resigned as Board Chair. Dan Kelly was voted in as the new Chair.
“I did hope my resignation would calm the temperature of the board,” Vassar said. “I’m still hopeful that even though I believe these actions are punitive and over the top.”
The 66-page report was done by the Washington D.C. law firm Miller and Chevalier. The report alleges bullying and a management style filled with fear of retaliation. The firm recommended Vassar and Denno be referred to Whitmer to decide if they should be removed.
Denno refuted the allegations in a statement and said the firm’s recommendations were “overly punitive.”
The board also voted to censure Denno, Vassar and Trustee Briana Scott for her publication of a letter that called out Vassar’s conduct.
“While I concede that I can make different decisions in the past and in some cases this past year I’ve made the wrong decision, wrong choice, I maintain I disagree with some of the findings and recommendation of the Miller Chevalier report,” Vassar told the board.
The Governor’s Office released a statement that reads in part, “As we have done in similar instances, we will take the time to carefully review this request upon official receipt of the formal communication from the board.”
