LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer has expressed deep concerns about the leadership of the Michigan State University (MSU) Board of Trustees following a report in The Detroit News. The report revealed that at least two trustees are calling for the resignation of board chair Rema Vassar.

In a letter to her fellow trustees, Trustee Scott accused Vassar of violating the board's rules of conduct and ethics, as well as bullying board members and administrators. Scott also urged the board to remove Vassar from her position as chair. Trustee Dianne Byrum supports Scott's call for Vassar's resignation, while Trustee Dennis Denno backs Vassar.

Governor Whitmer, an MSU alum, expressed her troubled stance regarding the allegations presented in the recent report. She stated, "The allegations in yesterday's report are deeply concerning. If accurate, it would be a huge breach of the public's trust. This university has been rocked by scandal after scandal with no clear unified leadership or direction and tragically no accountability either. 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."

Vassar, who was elected to the board in 2020 and assumed the role of chair in 2023, will not face reelection until 2028. Byrum, a former state legislator representing mid-Michigan, was first elected to the Board of Trustees in 2008 and chaired the board for several years before stepping down in 2023. Her seat will be up for election in 2024.

The Board of Trustees at MSU has faced criticism over the years due to its handling of the Larry Nassar scandal, its appointment of former governor John Engler as interim president, and actions that led to the removal of Samuel Stanley as president. Stanley cited the board as his reason for departing.

In October 2022, Stanley stated, "Many of you will be profoundly disappointed by this decision, but I, like the Michigan State University Faculty Senate and the Associated Students of Michigan State University, have lost confidence in the action of the current Board of Trustees, and I cannot in good conscience continue to serve this board as constituted." The university's Faculty Senate and student government also expressed "no confidence" in the board at that time through voting.

Basketball legend and MSU alum Earvin "Magic" Johnson voiced his disappointment with the recent events at his alma mater, saying, "I'm disappointed with my alma mater Michigan State University. There is no excuse for this. Where is the accountability? As a former Spartan, we have to be better for the students, faculty, alumni, and the community!"

Following the mass shooting at MSU in February, a recent report suggested that some board members "wanted to help but became involved in the incident beyond the customary role and expectations of a governance board during an emergency." The report recommended training for board members on their roles in times of crisis and establishing a policy on crisis management and communication.

Attempts to reach the trustees in question and Michigan State University for comment on the allegations have been unsuccessful thus far.

This recent turmoil within the MSU Board of Trustees raises concerns about the university's stability and calls into question the accountability and direction of its leadership. The university must address these issues to restore public trust and ensure a better future for its students, faculty, alumni, and the community at large.