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Engler: Mediation Process with Nassar Survivors To Continue In Mid-May

John Engler photo
Scott Pohl
/
WKAR-MSU
MSU interim president John Engler

In a statement issued late Friday, Michigan State University interim President John Engler announced mediation for lawsuits stemming from the Larry Nassar scandal will continue May 14 and 15.

Here is part of the statement, President Engler issued on Friday afternoon:

Our university community shares the utmost concern for the welfare of all survivors of sexual abuse. That’s why I’m pleased to report that Michigan State returned this week to mediation to resolve the civil litigation stemming from the sexual assaults committed by former Olympic and MSU sports doctor Larry Nassar. Two days of settlement talks with plaintiffs’ attorneys were held this week, and we have agreed to “an ongoing confidential mediation process.” The next sessions are scheduled for May 14 and 15. The breadth of the expression of our community’s concern for the survivors is impressive. Students and victims’ advocates have made their feelings clear. So have many faculty, staff, and leaders. While we might differ on how best to express it, we agree on the need to treat the Nassar survivors fairly and with respect, and this situation with the gravity it deserves. That means it is also important that this campus be made as secure from sexual harassment and sexual assault as we can make it.
Those important efforts are well underway and are entirely independent of settlement talks.

Nassar was a campus sports doctor who's spending decades in prison for sexual assault and child pornography crimes.

More than 140 young woman and girls are suing Michigan State for failing to recognize his assaults and stopping him years ago.

The school has denied wrongdoing. A mediator has been assigned to try to reach a settlement.

Engler, a former Michigan governor, was hired to lead MSU on a temporary basis after the resignation of Lou Anna Simon in January

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