Message from MSU Board of Trustees, April 13, 2017

"The Michigan State University Board of Trustees is being regularly briefed on the allegations of sexual assault concerning former MSU doctor Larry Nassar, being kept generally apprised as appropriate regarding the criminal investigation, and receiving substantive updates on the progress of the internal review being led by Pat Fitzgerald of Skadden Arps. 

As we have stated, sexual assault has no place in the MSU community. We are deeply concerned for the victims and their families and the pain Nassar has caused them. We continue to actively engage with MSU leadership to ensure we learn what happened and why and to take action in meaningful ways. We owe this to the victims and to all members of the MSU community.

We have confidence in the integrity, thoroughness, and rigor of the investigations and reviews underway and are committed to a disciplined process of gathering, reviewing, and understanding facts. Like the administration, we will approach responding to this situation with an open mind and a commitment to doing what is right based on the fullness of what we learn.

The university’s response to this situation needs to be comprehensive, focused on helping to obtain justice for the victims, taking appropriate actions without undue delay, and engaging in long-term improvements that help reduce the risk of anything like this happening again. We are confident MSU is doing just that.

We endorse the initiatives President Simon discussed today. These initiatives, while not directly related to the allegations involving Nassar, ensure the university is taking steps to work even harder to create the safest campus and community possible.    

On behalf of the board, I too want to again acknowledge the bravery of each woman who comes forward to report. We know this is not easy. We thank you and continue to encourage any others who have information pertinent to the Larry Nassar investigation to contact the MSU Police."

 --Chairperson Brian Breslin on behalf of the Board of Trustees