The MSU Board of Trustees unanimously supported their embattled university president today amid calls for her resignation or removal over the administration’s handling of the Larry Nassar sex crimes.
MSU is facing civil lawsuits and growing criticism because of the Nassar assaults on athletes in his care while on campus, but the MSU Trustees are firmly behind President Simon.
Trustee Brian Mosallam chairs the board’s compensation committee, which recommended that in lieu of a pay raise of $150,000, the money will be instead sent to the Roy and Lou Anna Simon scholarship fund for first generation college students.
Board president Brian Breslin read a statement from the board in response to the Nassar controversy. "To express our concern for and commitment to these brave young women," he said, "we are establishing a $10-million fund for counseling and mental health services, and instructed the MSU leadership team to accomplish this with the utmost urgency."
For her part, Simon expressed sorrow to victims for the pain of their abuse.
Speakers during public comment then took aim at MSU’s response to the Nassar story. Lisa Lorenz is the mother of survivor Kaylee Lorenz. Speaking about her daughter, she says "she has nightmares of his assaults, and I often cry myself to sleep knowing that you could have stopped him."
President Simon ended the meeting by committing to look into MSU’s procedures and says she welcomes the voices of Nassar’s victims.
President Simon and all eight Trustees declined to speak with reporters after the meeting.