Michigan State University's Rema Vassar resigning as board chair
Kim KozlowskiMichigan State University Board of Trustees Chair Rema Vassar is resigning as the board's leader Sunday night as fellow board members plan to meet virtually after a critical report was released last week.
Vassar has written a resignation letter intended for the board and incoming President Kevin Guskiewicz, which was obtained by The Detroit News. It came about two hours ahead of a scheduled special and unusual 10 p.m. board meeting and Guskiewicz's first day as MSU's sixth president in six years. It ends 14 months of leadership by the first Black woman to chair the MSU board, and one of the first chairs who was from outside of Lansing whom critics hoped would move the university in a new direction.
During the Sunday night special meeting that was conducted via Zoom, trustees discussed Washington, D.C.-based law firm Miller & Chevalier's report recommending penalties against Vassar and Trustee Dennis Denno for what the firm said were violations of the MSU's board ethics policies and bylaws and Trustee Brianna Scott for violating one of the standards of the MSU Board of Trustees' Code of Ethics and Conduct. All are Democrats on a Democratic-dominated board.
"Throughout my career, I have been an advocate for education as an elixir to cure all that ails our society," Vassar wrote in the letter. "I have been and will always be especially dedicated to advocating for those who are marginalized, victimized, ignored, and suffering in educational spaces. This has been and will continue to be my focus and life’s work."
"Please accept my resignation as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, effective upon the naming of a new Chair," Vassar continued. "I have been honored to serve as Chairwoman, and I look forward to continuing to support the University’s land grant mission as a Trustee."
Vassar, who is a professor in Wayne State University's College of Education in Detroit, will stay on the board. She was first elected to the board in 2020, and her term ends at the finish of 2028.
The Sunday special meeting was being held at such a late hour because of "board member traveling" and they are "in multiple time zones," MSU spokeswoman Emily Guerrant said.
Reached by phone, Vassar told The Detroit News on Sunday evening that "there have been continuing efforts to get me out of this position." They have included the most recent allegations in the Miller & Chevalier report along with allegations that she leaked the name of Mel Tucker's accuser, which outside law firm Jones Day investigated and reached no conclusion. Both reports were paid for with taxpayer dollars.
"The tried to silence me in all sorts of ways. They tried to frame me," Vassar said. "So I decided to be fiscally responsible and step down from the chair position. I have another life to live outside the university and, frankly, MSU doesn’t need this."
She said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer did not reach out to her after Miller & Chevalier recommended that Whitmer consider removing Vassar from the board. Whether she stays on the board is up to the governor, but Vassar said 2.4 million voters put her in office and she is "duty-bound to them.
Vassar: 'I've broke no law'
"If the governor feels the allegations against me rise to the level of dismissal — and I don’t believe they do — it’s up to her to decide," Vassar said. "I’ve broken no law. I am guilty of no malfeasance. I haven’t used this position for personal gain in any way."
Under state law, Whitmer would have to hold a hearing about the allegations against a trustee before a trustee can be moved. In 6-2 votes late Sunday, the board approved resolutions asking Whitmer to consider the removal of Vassar and Denno.
Asked what MSU needs, she said: "transparency, accountability and a commitment to change the status quo and to put politics aside for the good of the students.
"It needs a student-first agenda," Vassar said, adding that she believes the university can get there and that's what Guskiewicz wants, too.
Denno issued a statement Sunday about eight hours before Vassar's letter, defending himself and her. He implied that the investigators behind the report had an agenda because they didn't do a comprehensive investigation. As an example, Denno said he noted ethics violations of three other trustees, but the investigators didn't look into those.
Denno also said he asks a lot of questions that rub administrators and other board members the wrong way.
"When people often ask me: “what’s wrong the MSU Board of Trustees?” the answer is simple: too many trustees go-along-to-get-along and they do not ask questions, which is greatly concerning; I ask questions," Denno said.
He concluded his statement by saying he would accept a censure, "but contest any other form of punishment."
"What has been proposed is overly punitive in nature, I do not believe the board has legal grounds or ability to impose such extreme restrictions, which would limit my ability to represent this great school, speak for my Arab-American community, and the survivor community, and I have legal counsel reviewing a potential lawsuit should this board not do the right thing here as I have agreed to do," Denno wrote.
What report said
MSU retained Miller & Chevalier after Scott lodged 10 allegations against Vassar in October, including violating the board's rules of conduct and ethics, and bullying board members and administrators. Scott urged Whitmer to intervene and remove Vassar if the chair didn't resign.
At the time, Vassar called the allegations a "hit job," among other things. She survived an effort by some fellow board members to remove her in October during an emotional meeting where many of Vassar's backers showed up and voiced their support.
The report, released Wednesday, said it substantiated some, but not all of the allegations against Vassar. It also broadened the investigation to explore other claims against certain trustees.
The law firm said some trustees were "assuming an outsized role in the institution" after the sexual abuse scandal involving medical sports Dr. Larry Nassar and turnover in the president's office. Five presidents have served MSU, and many have left before their terms ended, because of issues linked to Nassar or the scandal.
The report also said much of the conduct arose from "a misunderstanding or misapplication of shared governance principles." It said the board's dynamics created fears of retaliation among the university's leaders.
The law firm recommended that Whitmer, a Democrat, review the report and consider removing Vassar and Trustee Dennis Denno for purportedly violating the board's ethics policies and bylaws. Whitmer's office said the report was "concerning" but didn't indicate if the governor would take any action.
"While Dr. Vassar does not agree that any Board of Trustees guidelines were violated, she is gratified that there was no finding of any undue influence, personal benefit, or harm to the University," said Vassar's attorney E. Powell Miller said.
Vassar's actions as chair
Vassar made history in January 2023 after being elected board chair for a two-year term, prevailing over fellow nominee Trustee Renee Knake Jefferson. Scott cast the deciding vote for Vassar. At the time, Vassar's election as chair also signaled a new direction in the board to many community members since many of MSU's board chairs "have been Lansing insiders," said Valerie von Frank, founder of POSSE, a group advocating against sexual violence.
Under Vassar, the board in December decided to approve giving Attorney General Dana Nessel thousands of unreleased Nassar documents that the university had withheld under attorney-client privilege. The board had previously denied requests by Nessel and her Republican predecessor, Bill Schuette.
The outside law firm's report criticized Vassar for meeting twice with Nessel's office in 2023, which the investigators said triggered Nessel's renewed request for the release of the documents. The law firm said Vassar "did not have the consensus of the Trustees" on releasing the Nassar documents and had exceeded her authority in meeting with Nessel's office.
The university began the release of Nassar documents to the Attorney General's office on Friday.
Prior to Vassar's election, MSU board chairs have included current Trustee Dianne Byrum, who founded a communications firm in East Lansing; Brian Breslin, son of the late MSU administrator Jack Breslin and retired retail executive who has lived in Alto and Williamston; and Joel Ferguson, the board's first Black male chair and a Lansing developer who served as the board's leader in 1992, 2007, 2010 and 2013.
Trustee Dan Kelly, a Republican, is the board's current vice chair. Recently passed board bylaws say trustees will not be elected as chair but will serve in order of seniority. Kelly is the most senior member on the board aside from Byrum, who was Vassar's predecessor as chair, who is not seeking reelection and whose term expires at year's end.
"As a Trustee, I will continue to advocate for the best outcomes for all who are affiliated with Michigan State University," Vassar said at the conclusion of her letter. "It is my sincere desire to move forward, support you, and work together with my fellow Trustees and those who want the best for all Spartans. Go Green!"