"What I'll say is that we've just had the best fundraising year in the history of the university, raising close to $400 million and [Tobin] has put together a strong team to help our deans and senior leaders, myself, faculty," he said at a press conference following Friday's Board of Trustees meeting.

When asked specifically about the findings in the article, Guskiewicz declined to comment.

"I’ll take some time to look at [the article] as needed, and a conversation with [Tobin] as needed," Guskiewicz said.

He added that he hasn’t had a conversation with Tobin yet, and he isn’t sure if "one will happen."

Drawing on interviews with employees and consultants' assessments of her unit, the report detailed perceptions that Tobin rewards loyalty, punishes dissent and silos lower-ranking personnel off from an insular circle of advisers, including some who live out of state and commute occasionally by plane on MSU's dime. Tobin's sister was also recently hired for a high-level role in the department.

The report also described a former employee's allegation that Tobin fired her for reporting sexual misconduct. Meanwhile, one of Tobin's close advisors was given what some staffers called "lenient treatment" after a donor reportedly complained about her drunken misconduct.

Other speakers at the board meeting thanked Tobin for her department's recent fundraising achievements.

Trustee Renee Knake Jefferson gave a "special thank you" to Tobin for her work in securing a $401 million commitment from Greg and Dawn Williams of Acrisure. (Only $11 million of the gift will be counted towards Tobin's department's goals, which support academic programs. The rest will go to athletics programs and a newly-formed entity outside the university designed to support the athletics department.)

"I am so impressed by the historic work she is leading, and she has done that in a relatively short time with us under multiple transitions and administrative leadership, and I think that she's done incredible work in very challenging circumstances," Jefferson said.

MSU Faculty Senate Chair Angela Wilson also thanked Tobin for her work on the university's ongoing capital campaign.

One public commenter appeared to chide Tobin. James Thurston, who spoke about how recent legal changes will limit female athletes' chances to compete, said MSU hosts a "culture of silence" and urged Guskiewicz to "empower people to speak up."

"The State News article this week is the type of behavior I was alluding to," he said. "Power wielding and silence is part of MSU culture, and I doubt this is the only area."

Tobin was present for a portion of the meeting but did not speak.

On Wednesday, she sent an email to her staff responding to the report, writing that "leadership comes with difficult choices, and I take full responsibility for the decisions made under my direction."

"While the article highlights one perspective, it does not capture the transformation, progress and care our team has poured into building something extraordinary," she wrote.