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Legislator Singh 'disappointed' in MSU, calls for Simon's resignation

January 24, 2018
Michigan House Minority Leader Sam Singh answers questions after the State of the State Address on Jan. 23, 2018 at the Capitol in Lansing. (Nic Antaya | The State News)
Michigan House Minority Leader Sam Singh answers questions after the State of the State Address on Jan. 23, 2018 at the Capitol in Lansing. (Nic Antaya | The State News) —

Representatives wore black to the State of the State address in solidarity with survivors of sexual abuse by ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.  

Nassar was in court the past few days for his Ingham County sentencing. More than 150 women and girls gave victim impact statements throughout his sentencing.

"(It was) a small token of acknowledgement," House Democratic Floor Leader Christine Greig said.

The solidarity is amid calls for MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and Board of Trustees members to resign, following statement people have described as "tone deaf."

Michigan House Minority Leader Sam Singh is an MSU alumnus and he has served in public offices in the East Lansing area for 16 years. He is one of the most outspoken critics calling for change at MSU.

“I have to say I’m disappointed in all levels of the leadership at Michigan State University," Singh said. "I did call for the resignation of President Simon. I’ve also called for resignations from members of the Board of Trustees, because I don’t believe they are handling the situation appropriately.”

Singh elaborated he thought the trustees need to do their job.

“I do believe that the Board of Trustees needs to hold the administration accountable," Singh said. "If they’re not willing to do that, then they shouldn't be in their positions. I want this board to take action."

His statements came after Gov. Rick Snyder's last State of the State address, where Snyder briefly touched on the Nassar scandal.

It was long past time for MSU to call for an independent investigation from the Attorney General's Office, but the fact that it is happening is good, Singh said.

News broke Tuesday night hours after the address ended the NCAA is opening an investigation into MSU as well.

And now is the time for legislators to step up, Singh said.

"“I do think this is a moment in time where we can take leadership as a state," Singh said. "I’ve been talking to the Speaker, so I know Sen. (Jim) Ananich and others, we have a role in the legislature with new oversight on this.

"I hope we do that in an effective way, to be able to help us make sure that something like this never happens again, but also hold people accountable in the administration at the university.”

But until things change, Singh said he will continue to be disappointed in MSU.

“I don’t feel as if the leadership is treating this situation with the respect that they should, nor with the severity of urgency that they should," Singh said. "At this point in time, it’s something that I’ve been very disappointed as I listen to individual trustees or the administration and their comments.”

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