In light of the new changes to MSU’s tenure policy, Strampel might have to retire from his position or he could lose his health care benefits and other perks from having his tenure revoked by the university.

Strampel is collecting a $217,903 annual salary and other benefits after he stepped down from his position as dean and went on a medical leave in December of 2017.

Interim President John Engler started the process of having Strampel fired and having his tenure revoked in February of 2018.

In a February university statement, Engler said that Strampel did not act with professionalism in a “position that involves student and patient safety.”

“Further, allegations have arisen that question whether his personal conduct over a long period of time met MSU’s standards,” Engler said in the statement. “We are sending an unmistakable message today that we will remove employees who do not treat students, faculty, staff, or anyone else in our community in an appropriate manner.”

In order to dismiss a tenured faculty member, a faculty hearing committee has to determine that a cause exists to revoke their tenure. 

This process may take until 2019 to complete. 

The new provisions to The Discipline and Dismissal of Tenured Faculty for Cause Policy might “impact the ability of tenured faculty to take paid leaves of absences during dismissal cause proceedings, and whether or not faculty members can obtain retiree status from the university during the pendency of dismissal for cause proceedings,” according to a university media release.

According to the release, these tenure changes will be reviewed by the Faculty Senate at an upcoming meeting.

At the most recent Board of Trustees meeting, the board discussed three changes to The Discipline and Dismissal of Tenured Faculty for Cause Policy.

According to the board, the first change would allow the board to use people who have been in faculty tenure from previous years to create panels if additional hearing panels are necessary.

The second change would allow the university to make a faculty member not eligible to obtain paid leaves of absences during dismissal cause proceedings and the third change would make those who are dismissed for cause not eligible for retiree status. 

It is currently unclear whether or not Strampel will retire. 

Strampel’s criminal case was moved forward to the trial court level on June 5, 2018. 

He will be in the Veterans Memorial Courthouse in Lansing on July 12 for circuit court.

Stay with The State News for updates on this story.