LANSING (WWJ) -- Emotions ran high when the Michigan State University Board of Trustees on Friday held its first meeting since controversies involving Chairperson Rema Vassar came to light.
Included in the October 27 agenda was addressing a letter written by a board member calling for Vassar’s resignation over allegations including bullying board members and violating board rules of conduct and ethics.
The board member who wrote the letter, Brianna Scott, said she has been threatened but is trying to do what’s right.
‘One thing I know is that I must be doing something right if folks are coming this stridently for me,” Scott said.
Chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, Dan Kelly, said the committee received the letter and it was recommended that an outside organization investigate the allegations.
“We’ve received a letter from one of the trustees,” Kelly said. “It was referred to the Internal Office of Audit Risk and Compliance. Appropriately so, we’ve received a recommendation that it be investigated by a third party.”
Scott called for an external investigation to help address concerns that she said continue year after year.
“We need an outside firm to provide a diagnosis, prognosis, treatment plan and progress monitoring so that we can not continue to have the same problems over, and over, and over and over again, year after year, board member after board member,” Kelly said.
Kelly said the board needed to shift their focus back to what was best for MSU.
“I’ve heard a lot over the last couple of weeks of ‘I, I, I’ and it should be ‘what’s in the best interest of the university’ nothing else,” Kelly said.
Senator Debbie Stabenow and former Governor Jim Blanchard have called for Vassar's removal.