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Report Details Sexual Harassment Claim Against Former MSU Alumni Executive Dir.

Scott Westerman photo
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Scott Westerman

Details of a Michigan State University report on former alumni executive director Scott Westerman are public. It said Westerman violated MSU’s policy on sexual harassment. He maintained the relationship was based on mentorship.

As reported by WLNS-TV (WKAR News media partner) and the Lansing State Journal, an MSU investigation concluded Scott Westerman engaged in severe, persistent and pervasive unwelcome sexual conduct against a woman who filed a complaint against him.

The woman said Westerman became her mentor starting in 2010. He gave her money and presents. The report said Westerman sent her texts and articles on sexual topics. And she claimed he made sexual advances toward her in a hotel room in 2011.

Westerman told investigators the relationship was never romantic.

As for the hotel incident, Westerman said quote "I don't remember, but I wouldn't have done that.”

The woman came forward in February of this year after Westerman asked her to reach out to MSU's Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Prevention Program.

Westerman retired from MSU last spring and has not been on campus since April. He was associate vice president for alumni relations and executive director of the MSU Alumni Association for 10 years.

He will not face disciplinary action.

In August, Westerman told WKAR News he disagreed with the finding and regretted the distraction it has caused.

He concluded, “I no longer work for the institution and will have no further comments.”

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