Detroit senator asks Nessel whether censuring former MSU board chair is constitutional

Democratic state Sen. Sylvia Santana of Detroit is asking Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to rule whether the Michigan State University Board of Trustees' moves to sanction the board's former chair is unconstitutional.

During a special, late-night virtual meeting on March 3, the MSU board punished and restricted the duties of Trustee Rema Vassar, the first Black woman to serve as chair, along with Trustee Dennis Denno. In 6-2 votes, the board referred both trustees to the governor for possibly a hearing to remove them from their elected offices after an investigation by an outside law firm found that Vassar and Denno violated the university's policies and bylaws.

The law firm was retained by the board after Trustee Brianna Scott wrote a letter to the board in October that was leaked, outlining 10 allegations against Vassar that included violating the board's rules of conduct and ethics, and bullying board members and administrators. The board also censured Scott but didn't take away her committee assignments and other privileges.

Santana made it clear to the attorney general that she viewed the censure of Vassar as "unprecedented and unjust."

"I believe the allegations against Dr. Vassar have been unsubstantiated and are a reckless double standard," Santana wrote in a letter obtained through FOIA Services Michigan. "I stand by my belief that the electorate's right to afford Dr. Vassar the full powers and duties of an MSU Trustee have been violated. Subsequently, forwarding of Dr. Rema Vassar to the Governor of Michigan for removal under MCL 168.293 further disenfranchises voters from marginalized communities exacerbating equal representation on the MSU Board of Trustees. I strongly believe these actions are an attempt to silence strong Black leadership and marginalized communities."

Santana wrote her letter on March 4, the day after the MSU board took action and new MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz's first day on the job.

Nessel's office did not immediately respond Wednesday to a request for comment.

kkozlowski@detroitnews.com