A list of actions

Some actions outlined in the agreements include an update to the RVSM and Title IX Policy, which further defined prohibited conduct within relationship violence, sexual misconduct, stalking and other prohibited conduct, according to the press release.

Other actions involve MSU hiring the Cozen O’Connor law firm for the next three academic years. The firm will focus on the Title IX-related grievance process and final determination independent review. MSU also created a new policy requiring final Title IX reports and determinations existence in the respondent’s personnel file, according to the press release.

MSU will also be developing and carrying out an MSU Health Care training program focusing on MSU’s RVSM and Title IX Policy, support resources for survivors and University Reporting Protocol.

Another action, which will be effective Jan. 1, 2023, updates the Operational Requirements for Conducting University Youth Program. This program documents practices and procedures which create a culture of safety for participants. 

A webpage of anti-harassment, non-retaliation and non-discrimination will also be posted by MSU.

These actions were “on schedule from the 2019 resolution agreements between MSU and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights,” the press release said.

Based on a biennial survey assessing university climate, MSU launched a five-year RVSM strategic plan to further identify gaps in sexual misconduct prevention and response to relationship violence, according to the press release.

Reactions at the board meeting

However, these actions aren’t enough for some, with several public comment participants speaking out on frustrations of MSU not releasing the report of former business school dean Sanjay Gupta’s investigation.

During public comment, faculty member Shawnee Vickery read a letter from Broad professors directed to trustees. The letter thanked MSU for working with an outside law firm to investigate Sanjay Gupta’s removal and requested the release of the results in correspondence with transparency promises from the board and university.

Vickery mentioned the University of Michigan Board of Regents as a “great example of transparency” with the recent release of 118 pages of emails regarding its former president’s inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.

She also requested MSU to release reports of former MSU president Samuel L. Stanley Jr.'s handling of Title IX reports.

“As senior professors of the Broad College, we strongly believe that releasing the report will allow our colleges and its varied stakeholders to fully understand what happened to cause us to lose a highly respected dean,” Vickery said. 

However, both findings of two separate investigations into Title IX certification have been previously released. Miscommunication to the trustees was the biggest issue, which led Stanley to request a re-certification of the Title IX reports. The independent audit was released on Sept. 13.

Another report released in early November revealed trustees Knake Jefferson and Brianna Scott were found to have not completed their part of the Title IX certification.