Michigan State University Forms Advisory Board to Address Sexual Violence

Advisory board meeting discussing sexual violence policies at Michigan State University

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News Summary

Michigan State University has established a collaborative advisory board featuring survivors and advocates to address sexual violence, marking a significant change from its previous responses to the Nassar scandal. This initiative aims to improve engagement and policy reforms for supporting survivors. The board’s formation follows intense scrutiny of the university’s past negligence and highlights a commitment to systemic change while calling for increased transparency and accountability.

Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University (MSU) has formed a new collaborative advisory board aimed at addressing sexual violence, a significant shift from its past approach during the fallout from the Larry Nassar scandal. Survivors of Nassar’s abuse, including prominent advocate Rachael Denhollander, are key members of this board, which will guide the university’s actions and policies moving forward.

Nassar, a former physician for the U.S. Olympic team and MSU, was convicted in 2018 of sexually abusing hundreds of young women and girls over two decades. During his sentencing hearings, over 150 survivors shared impact statements, detailing the emotional and physical toll of the abuse they suffered. In a stark reflection of the university’s prior negligence, no representatives from MSU were present at these significant proceedings, leading to criticism regarding the institution’s engagement with the survivors.

Following mounting public pressure, MSU’s former president, Lou Anna K. Simon, attended the trial, but many survivors felt that the university’s involvement was primarily focused on mitigating legal consequences and public relations rather than genuinely supporting those impacted. There has been a growing sentiment among advocates and survivors that the university must take substantial steps to overhaul its response to sexual violence.

President Kevin Guskiewicz, who has been in office for 14 months, initiated discussions with survivors to improve institutional policies and engagement regarding sexual violence. The new advisory board, which also includes members such as Sterling Riethman and Trinea Gonczar, marks a collaborative effort to address these long-standing issues. This partnership signifies a necessary transformation from an adversarial relationship to one characterized by cooperation and shared commitment to change.

Denhollander initially proposed a collaborative board in 2018, but the idea was previously dismissed by MSU’s board of trustees. However, in the intervening years, MSU has faced intense scrutiny and criticism, resulting in changes to several institutional policies aimed at better protecting students and addressing survivor concerns. The university has also paid out over $500 million in settlements related to the Nassar case and has issued multiple public apologies for its failures.

While the establishment of the advisory board suggests a willingness on the part of MSU to address past mistakes, challenges remain. Continued calls for investigations into alleged misconduct by trustees have been made by a group known as “Posse,” associated with Nassar’s survivors. Furthermore, MSU’s Board of Trustees recently voted to release documents related to investigations into Nassar, documents that had previously been withheld under claims of attorney-client privilege. This decision was intended to increase transparency regarding the handling of the Nassar case and restore trust within the MSU community.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has been vocal about the importance of transparency for both the institution and the victims. The ongoing commitment from MSU to foster an environment where survivor voices are prioritized represents a critical step forward. A cultural shift is observable within the university, although significant work remains in addressing the systemic issues that allowed such abuses to persist for so long.

The advisory board’s formation and the accompanying changes signal a move towards a more survivor-centered approach in higher education institutions, particularly in handling allegations of sexual violence. These developments will be closely monitored by survivors and advocates who seek accountability and lasting reform within MSU and beyond.