The Michigan State University Board of Trustees held a special meeting last night via Zoom to discuss and take action regarding a recent report of Code of Ethics and Conduct violations by individual board members.

On Feb. 28, a copy of the report completed by Miller &Chevalier, the law firm hired by the university to investigate alleged conduct concerns, was shared publicly. The report outlined findings against three trustees.

Prior to the meeting, Board Chair Rema Vassar informed the board and incoming President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., that she would resign from her position as chair. During the meeting, the board discussed the findings in the report and took various actions against the three named trustees.

The first motion of the meeting outlined additional professional development, governance and onboarding training that the full board will undertake with support from the administration and third-party experts. This training will build upon the governance commitments previously made on Dec. 15. The motion passed 7-0 with 1 abstention.

The second motion took corrective action against Vassar, including referral to the governor, accepting her resignation as chair of the board, removal as the board liaison to the Henry Ford Health + MSU Health Sciences Steering Committee, suspension of all board activities that are unrelated to her role as an elected member of the board through Dec. 31, 2024, and a formal censure. This motion passed 6-2.

Pursuant to the board’s bylaws, Trustee Dan Kelly was elected to serve as board chair and Trustee Kelly Tebay was elected to serve as vice chair for the remainder of 2024.

A third resolution approved during the meeting also took corrective action against Trustee Dennis Denno, including referral to the governor, removal from his role as chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, suspension of all board activities unrelated to his role as an elected member of the board through Dec. 31, 2024, and a formal censure. This motion passed 6-2.

The fourth and final resolution was corrective action against Trustee Brianna Scott as a formal censure, which Scott accepted. The resolution passed 7-1.

“The Michigan State University Board of Trustees acknowledges the findings from the independent investigation by the law firm Miller and Chevalier regarding governance and ethical concerns,” said Kelly, chair of the board’s Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee. “Following a thorough examination of the report, we recognize certain actions did not meet the MSU community’s expectations. However, the board remains committed to accountability, transparency and the MSU community’s welfare. We will take the necessary steps to rebuild trust through open, collaborative engagement with the MSU community.”

The next regularly scheduled board meeting is Friday, April 12.