Engler started his visit by discussing the status of the lawsuits against MSU, ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar and others.

"We’re the primary defendant that’s getting the focus and the attention with these 250 or so lawsuits," Engler said.

He said MSU and its attorneys are trying to get these lawsuits settled as soon as they can. 

“They represent a pretty significant barrier to us being able to move on as an MSU community,” Engler said.

In reference to the litigation, Engler said, “If they want to start tomorrow, we’re ready. If they want to start Easter Sunday, we’re ready.” 

He then discussed the changes he has made so far as interim president and the changes he hopes to make regarding health services on campus and sexual assault prevention efforts. He also took questions from students.

Allegations against MSU athletes

Pre-Veterinary Medicine Representative Lauren Pepper asked why the MSU community hadn't seen any results in terms of the "Dantonio and Izzo reports" released by ESPN, referencing the 'Outside the Lines' reports released in January.

"The report by ESPN is not accurate," Engler said. "And these two coaches ... conduct their programs with integrity, with high ethical standards. ... We've looked at these very carefully, so I encourage you not to buy into ESPN, they're simply not accurate." 

Engler said the reports were filled with misinformation, innuendos, assertions that are not supported by fact.

Handling sexual assault as Governor

College of Music Representative Elizabeth Medlin asked Engler about his handling of sexual assault within women's prisons in the 1990s, a question she said has come up many times among her constituents. 

She asked if he would have handled the situation differently at that time knowing what he knows now as the interim president of a university garnering national attention for sexual assault-related issues.

"Let's talk about what I'm doing today. I was governor last in 2003 and things you're citing were in the 1990s," Engler said. "His (Nassar's) abuse is horrific. You can't dress that up, it happened. Michigan State has to admit that and certainly, I think, the university community, before I got here and since I've been here, has talked about it, regretted that it happened and we've cooperated with all investigations. If there is anybody else other than Strampel, then we'll deal with that as well." 

Accountability structures at MSU

In response to the charges against former MSU dean William Strampel, College of Music Representative Isaiah Hawkins asked Engler about the ways he is currently creating accountability structures.

Engler responded by saying there was a "shortcoming" in record keeping when it came to Nassar. He also said relationships between faculty and students at MSU will be reviewed.

”University of Pennsylvania just changed their policy relative to — between faculty and students,” he said. “I think that's something that is going to be revealed here.”

Student position on the Board of Trustees

James Madison Representative Dylan Westrin asked Engler if he thought it was possible for the constitution to eventually be amended to allow for student positions on the Board of Trustees.

Recently, ASMSU passed a bill advocating to allow at least one student to sit on the Board of Trustees. 

“If you guys are politically active, you could make it happen," Engler said. 

Engler said he promised the Board of Trustees he would "wouldn't get involved in politics" in his position as interim president, but noted he has tried in his years as governor to change aspects of the Board of Trustees election process. 

Presidential search

Engler said he expects the search for a new president to be completed in the next few months.

College of Natural Science Representative Caroline Colpoys asked if there will be a timeline of the presidential search. 

Engler said the Board of Trustees are going through a process for the presidential search. He said they're looking to bring in successful university presidents to join them in this search. 

"My eagerness is to get things resolved in as many areas as we can — can we make it as attractive as we possibly can so someone would want to come here to be president so they don't think they're walking into the way it was for me when I got here," Engler said. "They can focus on some of the positives of a leading global research institution." 

He said the presidential search committee will have to be trusted by the campus community and will go through a public process. He said 50-100 people have volunteered to be a part of this committee.

“If you think about Michigan State University and what type of university we are, I would argue that we should be — we’re attractive enough as a job that people should want to be president,” Engler said.

Stay with The State News for follow-up coverage of the conversations held with Engler during and after the meeting. The State News will publish a full transcript of this meeting.