Michigan State University’s accreditors reaffirmed the university’s accreditation for another ten years, nearly a year-and-a-half after it was put in jeopardy by allegations of trustee misconduct.
MSU’s accreditation status, which is decided by the Higher Learning Commission, affects the university’s federal funding and ability to offer financial aid.
The Higher Learning Commission’s decennial review found MSU met all criteria for accreditation, said Director of MSU’s Office of Accreditation, Assessment, Curriculum, and Compliance Stacia Moroski-Rigney.
The finding marks a significant step in the university’s recovery from a leadership controversy that has made headlines across the state.
In October 2023, Moroski-Rigney warned that MSU’s accreditation was put at risk by allegations that then-board Chair Rema Vassar overstepped in the business of the administration and took gifts from donors — actions that the Higher Learning Commission expressly prohibits for members of university governing boards.
The Higher Learning Commission said the next month that the allegations raised “potential concerns” after MSU’s faculty senate sent the commission a formal complaint outlining the issue.
The accreditation issue deepened when an outside investigation commissioned by MSU revealed the extent of trustee misconduct in February 2024.
Investigators found that Vassar and fellow trustee Dennis Denno interfered in university affairs, accepted gifts from donors and encouraged students to attack their colleagues.
Following the report, the rest of the board voted to censure Vassar and Denno, temporarily strip them of their duties and ask the state governor to consider their removal from the board. The governor is still reviewing the request.
Since then, MSU said it "used all resources at our disposal" to bring the board into compliance with the Higher Learning Commission.
The board signed pledges agreeing to not interfere in the new president’s administration, underwent training on responsible governance and signed off on policies around travel, communication and community engagement, according to a document MSU prepared for the Higher Learning Commission in October 2024.
After having lunch with the board, surveying students and holding in-person forums, the Higher Learning Commission determined that the board was now "on the right path," Moroski-Rigney said.
"They basically told the board to keep up the good work," Moroski-Rigney said.
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