EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has condemned Michigan State University (MSU) for its lack of clear unified leadership and a series of scandals, adding to the turmoil the institution has been facing. The governor's statement comes after two trustees expressed their support for the removal of board chair Rema Vassar.

One incident that sparked outrage was the display of an image of Adolf Hitler on the scoreboard before the Michigan-MSU football game on Saturday night. MSU issued an apology, revealing that the offensive content was part of a quiz provided by an external contractor responsible for pregame material.

In addition to this controversy, MSU has been dealing with the fallout from the recent firing of football coach Mel Tucker, who faced allegations of sexually harassing a woman over the phone. Critics argue that the university should have taken action against Tucker months ago.

The most recent disruptive situation involves MSU's governing board, as trustee Brianna Scott accused Chairperson Rema Vassar of "bullying" other trustees and attempting to unilaterally negotiate a settlement with a dean who was forced out in 2022. Scott further revealed that Vassar has not agreed to have her phone examined to determine if a trustee leaked the name of Tucker's accuser to former trustees.

Governor Whitmer, an MSU graduate herself and a Democrat, expressed her disappointment in the university's handling of these issues. In her statement, she emphasized the lack of accountability, calling for a thorough investigation and appropriate action.

"This university has been rocked by scandal after scandal with no clear unified leadership or direction and tragically no accountability either," Governor Whitmer stated. "Right now, there are too many questions and not enough answers. The university owes it to students, alumni, and our entire state to get to the bottom of this and take appropriate action."

Later during an event in Grand Rapids, Governor Whitmer acknowledged that, under certain conditions, she has the authority to remove Chairperson Vassar from her position. Vassar, a Democrat and a professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, was elected to the MSU board in 2020. An email seeking comment was sent to her.

MSU has witnessed a period of leadership instability, with former President Samuel Stanley Jr. stepping down a year ago due to what he deemed meddling by trustees. Teresa Woodruff, the interim president, recently announced that she has withdrawn her candidacy for the permanent position.

Since the resignation of former President Lou Anna Simon in 2018 following the Larry Nassar scandal, MSU has struggled to maintain stable leadership. Nassar, a former campus doctor, was convicted of sexually assaulting numerous athletes, predominantly female gymnasts.

As MSU grapples with ongoing scandals and a lack of unified leadership, the calls for accountability and effective governance continue to grow louder.