After Michigan State announced the suspension of football coach Mel Tucker amid allegations that he sexually harassed a rape survivor and sexual assault prevention activist who had spoken to his team multiple times, MSU interim president Teresa Woodruff emphasized Sunday that the "MSU of today" is not the "MSU of old."
She says that Tucker's unpaid suspension is proof of that.
Michigan State was made aware in late July upon the conclusion of a Title IX investigation that Tucker is said to have engaged Brenda Tracy in phone sex against her will. Tucker claims it was consensual.
"In the MSU of today, when any report comes into the University, it is appropriately and rigorously reviewed," said Woodruff. "In the MSU of today, our investigative processes are fair and thorough."
Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller didn't suspend Tucker until the allegations and Tracy's identity were made public Sunday morning in a report by USA Today. Ahead of a formal hearing scheduled for Oct. 5-6 to determine if Tucker violated MSU's sexual harassment and exploitation policy, Woodruff said the move to place Tucker on an unpaid leave is "equally necessary and appropriate for today’s circumstances."
Tucker's actions are another black eye for a university that's still trying to recover from the Larry Nassar scandal and regain the trust of its community.
"This morning’s news might sound like the MSU of old," said Woodruff. "It is not, because an independent, unbiased investigation is and continues to be conducted. That investigative process had not been referred to AD Haller or the University. That process will not be complete until there is a hearing and a final decision.
"It is not the MSU of old because we maintain the confidence of the claimant and the respondent, while respecting and valuing the claimant’s and the respondent’s right to share their story. It is not because of the further action we took today. The action AD Haller took comes with the full weight of my support."
Asked why he chose to take action now instead of in July, Haller said, "The interim measures were in place, and those interim measures have been updated." He said the initial measures barred Tucker from having any contact with Tracy and included "increased oversight, from me, of the program but also of the coach."
"It's not one process, and we update those interim measures as we receive information," said Haller.
Asked if he considered suspending Tucker when the Title IX investigation was completed, Haller said, "For me, it was working and waiting on the University as it relates to their investigative process and making sure they were allowed to compete their investigation. Although the investigation was complete on the 25th (of July), there’s still ongoing processes that need to be played out."
The investigation, which is "designed to be comprehensive and fair," said Woodruff, doesn't legally conclude until the October hearing. Tucker will remain suspended at least until then.