Election 2022 - MSU Board of Trustees

Recent Coverage

CAMPUS

Woodruff opens up about MSU shooting, response

Alex Walters

February 24, 2023

In an interview with The State News, Woodruff opened up about her thoughts on campus security and student advocacy, thoughts on MSU’s return to in-person activities, as well as her processing of the shooting.

CAMPUS

Survivor advocates: Release of board investigation a step in Title IX reforms

Vivian Barrett

February 13, 2023

A sister survivors advocacy group said the unredacted releases of the Quinn Emanuel and Honigman reports give them hope for the new Board of Trustees. While it is a step towards transparency, the university still has a lot to do in terms of Title IX, advocates said.

CAMPUS

Board authorizes construction of Multicultural Center, reconstruction of Farm Lane Bridge

Vivian Barrett

February 10, 2023

The new Multicultural Center has been authorized for construction by the Board of Trustees, along with the reconstruction of the Farm Lane Bridge. The board also authorized the planning of Campbell Hall Renovations and a new turfgrass testing facility on campus.

CAMPUS

Board unanimously votes to release Quinn Emanuel findings in one report

Vivian Barrett  and  Alex Walters

February 10, 2023

The board has instructed the firm to assemble the findings of probes into the Title IX office and the removal of Gupta into one report intended for full public release.

CAMPUS

New Board of Trustees to hold first spring meeting on Friday

Vivian Barrett

February 7, 2023

From planning a new research building to a FIFA turfgrass facility, here's what to expect at the Board of Trustees meeting this Friday.

CAMPUS

Trust, transparency, transformative leadership: Vassar shares goals for term as board chair

Vivian Barrett

January 31, 2023

As the first Black woman to serve as the MSU Board of Trustees chair, Dr. Rema Vassar hopes to use her position to empower others, rebuild trust within the board and with the Spartan community and tackle transformative issues.

CAMPUS

'The legislative arm of Michigan State University': Dennis Denno begins trustee term

Vivian Barrett

January 17, 2023

Researcher Dennis Denno won his seat on the MSU Board of Trustees in the 2022 midterm election. He said it's the only position he ever wanted to run for.

NEWS

Board of Trustees authorizes chair to hire professional development consultants

Vivian Barrett

January 11, 2023

This resolution authorizes newly-elected board chair Rema Vassar to negotiate and enter into an agreement with consulting services for board governance, bylaws and policy development.

CAMPUS

Vassar elected chair of Board of Trustees, Kelly elected vice chair

Vivian Barrett  and  Alex Walters

January 11, 2023

Trustee Rema Vassar was elected board chair in a 5-3 vote on Wednesday. The board voted unanimously to re-appoint lone-Republican Dan Kelly to the position.

CAMPUS

Meet MSU's newest trustee: Sandy Pierce

Alex Walters

January 9, 2023

She has vast experience as an executive and board member, but MSU's newest trustee Sandy Pierce and her colleagues share what she really brings to the board is fresh eyes and open ears.

CAMPUS

Two trustees sworn in, search for MSU president can commence

Maggie George

January 2, 2023

Their oaths and the appointment of an eighth trustee mean the board is operating with all seats filled, and the search for a permanent university president can begin. 

CAMPUS

Huntington Bank VP Sandy Pierce appointed to MSU Board of Trustees

Morgan Womack

December 27, 2022

She will replace former trustee Pat O'Keefe who resigned in a letter to the governor's office, citing his concern about the resignation of former business school dean Sanjay Gupta.

CAMPUS

Spartan swim and dive hopes sink at December board meeting

Alex Walters

December 16, 2022

Budget and Finance Committee Chair Melanie Foster delivered a report on the financial possibility of reinstating the swim and dive team. The findings leave the future of swim and dive at MSU largely in question.

CAMPUS

Ceremony to honor Lou Anna K. Simon moved to Breslin to accommodate capacity limits

Morgan Womack

December 16, 2022

Once invitations were sent out and the RSVPs came back, the event had to be moved to a larger venue to accommodate capacity limits — the Breslin Center at noon on Dec. 19. With Simon’s controversial history came pushback from student groups and survivors who became aware of this ceremony. 

CAMPUS

MSU presidential search to start spring 2023

Alex Walters

December 16, 2022

The board is in conversation with Isaacson Miller, an executive search firm that has been used to find deans and administrators at MSU in the past and is currently searching for a candidate to helm MSU's Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity.

CAMPUS

Path to swim and dive reinstatement 'not viable,' trustees say

Morgan Womack

December 16, 2022

Budget and finance committee chair Melanie Foster cited two reasons why reinstatement would be difficult: the long-term need for a facility and the cost sharing arrangement between MSU athletics and external fundraising.

CAMPUS

Interim president Woodruff to lead first board meeting, interim provost to be appointed

Vivian Barrett

December 14, 2022

Interim president Teresa Woodruff will lead her first board meeting on Friday, Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. Here is a look at what is on the agenda.

CAMPUS

Board to host private ceremony unveiling former president Lou Anna K. Simon's portrait

Vivian Barrett

December 5, 2022

Simon will be in attendance at the ceremony. Trustee Melanie Foster said she will also be attending, while trustee Renee Knake Jefferson said she will not be present. The rest of the trustees did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

CAMPUS

Michigan State Trustee Pat O'Keefe resigns in letter to governor's office

Amalia Medina

November 30, 2022

"It is deeply important to Governor Whitmer, both as a Spartan and as governor, that students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the public have confidence in the board," Whitmer's communications director Bobby Leddy said in a statement. "That begins with having great partners and great leadership in these positions. We will begin our search to appoint someone who will stand up for those values and move the university forward."

CAMPUS

What campaign finance filings reveal about Board of Trustees winners

Alex Walters

November 22, 2022

Despite doing almost no campaigning after receiving party nominations, the Democratic candidates swept November's trustee election. The campaign finance filings of the candidates and current trustees reveal their win is no anomaly.

CAMPUS

The perks behind being on the MSU Board of Trustees

Vivian Barrett

November 21, 2022

While members of the Board of Trustees don't receive a salary compensation for their work, they do have access to several university benefits. From University Club membership to complimentary athletic tickets, here is a look into the perks of being a trustee.

CULTURE

University controversies damage student perceptions of MSU

Amalia Medina

November 11, 2022

Some students worry, since Stanley’s resignation and the surrounding problems have made national headlines, the overall reputation of the university is changing too. 

CITY

Live election updates from The State News

Staff Reports

November 8, 2022

Election Day 2022 marks the end of a fierce campaign season that has covered dozens of issues most important to the state of Michigan — abortion rights, inflation and education, to name a few.

CAMPUS

Everything you need to know before casting your Board of Trustees vote

Amalia Medina

November 7, 2022

Two Board of Trustees seats are up for election. Voters will be able to choose up to two candidates. Election Day is Nov. 8 and voters can cast their ballot at their local precinct. For more information on where to vote, visit the city clerk's website or an on-campus satellite voting office.

CAMPUS

Stanley says long-term interference, dysfunctional MSU board was cause of his departure

Morgan Womack

November 3, 2022

Division between board members with eight individually strong beliefs about how MSU should run was a recipe for chaos responsible for pushing out President Stanley.

CAMPUS

Academic Governance members call O'Keefe's comments a 'a threat and danger' to the university

Vivian Barrett

November 3, 2022

Members of Academic Governance said Trustee Pat O'Keefe's Oct. 28 comments "demonstrate a threat and danger to the operations of this university."

CAMPUS

Woodruff recommends replacement; steering committee calls O'Keefe comments 'inappropriate'

Amalia Medina

November 2, 2022

Appointed interim president Teresa Woodruff recommended Associate Provost Thomas Jeitschko replace her. Also, members of the Steering Committee responded to Trustee Pat O'Keefe's comments at the last board meeting, calling them inappropriate.

CAMPUS

'A breath of fresh air': student and faculty leaders unified on interim president decision

Kayla Nelsen

October 31, 2022

The appointment of Provost Teresa K. Woodruff as interim president leaves ASMSU leaders and faculty senators feeling hopeful for the future.

CAMPUS

Board of Trustees to name interim president on Oct. 31

Vivian Barrett

October 30, 2022

The Board of Trustees will name the interim president on Oct. 31 at noon during a special meeting in room 401 of the Hannah Administration Building.

CAMPUS

'We check every box in terms of failure': Trustee O'Keefe condemns state of Title IX at MSU

Vivian Barrett  and  Kayla Nelsen

October 28, 2022

“I am tired of reading about the sexual transgressions of the faculty, which are like reading "50 Shades of Grey" and are as long as "Gone with the Wind," without knowing what the outcomes are of such behavior,” O’Keefe said. 

CAMPUS

Stanley fallout causes emotional, tension-filled board meeting

Vivian Barrett

October 28, 2022

Walking into room 401 of the Hannah Administration Building, the Board of Trustees carried the weight of no-confidence votes from the MSU community and even the university president. Trustee Brianna Scott called President Samuel L. Stanley's resignation “collateral damage” from ongoing miscommunication and distrust within the board. Board chair Dianne Byrum said she would not be rerunning for chair in 2023. 

CAMPUS

What should students expect in the presidential search? ASMSU demands trustees involve student body

Kayla Nelsen

October 28, 2022

"Students have just seen major changes happen before their eyes with no answer," Kovach said. ASMSU demands the Board of Trustees better include students in the presidential search and Title IX affairs.

CAMPUS

'Likely my final MSU board meeting': Stanley addresses board

Vivian Barrett

October 28, 2022

President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. said today's Board of Trustees meeting will likely be his final one. The room gave Stanley a standing ovation following his comments.

CAMPUS

What to expect at the first Board of Trustees meeting following Stanley's resignation

Vivian Barrett

October 26, 2022

Here's a look at what's on the agenda, including the recommendation of Brian Quinn for acting secretary and chief of staff.

CAMPUS

Trustee candidates talk plans for presidential search

Vivian Barrett

October 26, 2022

MSU Board of Trustees candidates speak on what they will be looking for in the next president.

OPINION

EDITORIAL: We, too, have lost all confidence in the Board of Trustees

The State News Editorial Board

October 26, 2022

Like the students, faculty and our president, we have lost confidence in the Board of Trustees as it is currently. 

CAMPUS

Stanley to cooperate with interim president search, university council votes no confidence in board

Amalia Medina

October 18, 2022

Stanley announced he will cooperate with the Board of Trustees in the interim president search at the university council meeting. The council also passed a no-confidence vote in the Board of Trustees. 

CAMPUS

What MSU's past tells us about finding a new president

Wendy Guzman

October 17, 2022

The board has already started its search for an interim president. The heads-up on Stanley's departure could change the dynamic of the search. However, it remains unsure when we will see a new permanent hire.

CAMPUS

4 presidents, 4 years: A history of recent leadership changes at MSU

Lily Guiney

October 17, 2022

Since the departure of Lou Anna K. Simon from the Michigan State University presidency in 2018, the university has seen three presidents at its helm. Now, upon the resignation of Samuel L. Stanley Jr. on Oct. 13, the search begins for what the MSU community hopes will be a president with longevity.

CAMPUS

Survivors and parents value integrity in trustee candidates

Vivian Barrett

October 17, 2022

Parents of Sister Survivors Engage interviewed all four MSU trustee candidates. Here's what they learned.

MULTIMEDIA

President Samuel L. Stanley Jr.'s resignation: A timeline

Chloe Trofatter

October 14, 2022

A tumultuous two months for MSU leadership ended with President Samuel L. Stanley announcing his resignation on Thursday, Oct. 13, with a video message sent to the MSU community. How did we get here? 

CAMPUS

MSU professors 'devastated' after President Stanley's resignation

Jack Armstrong

October 13, 2022

Professor Felicia Wu said she was devastated when she heard the news of Stanley’s resignation. “I could not imagine a better president for our university,” Wu said.

CAMPUS

MSU students confused, concerned about cause of Stanley's resignation

Jaden Beard

October 13, 2022

"It's very confusing to be a student right now." MSU students express confusion over a lack of transparency surrounding the events that led to President Stanley's resignation. 

CAMPUS

President Stanley to resign in 90 days, states he has no confidence in board

Morgan Womack  and  Vivian Barrett

October 13, 2022

President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. has given the Board of Trustees a 90-day notice of resignation.

CAMPUS

ASMSU declares no confidence in the Board of Trustees

Kayla Nelsen

October 7, 2022

“Nothing is gained from a vote of no confidence. However, it sends a powerful message that we, the undergraduate community, are strongly in opposition to the current conduct of this board.” ASMSU voices its opposition to the Board of Trustees' actions and calls on members to resign.

CAMPUS

Inconsistent messaging led to Title IX compliance failure at heart of issue with Stanley, board

Wendy Guzman

September 30, 2022

Members of the Board of Trustees have reviewed the relevant Title IX reports for the fiscal year 2021, allowing Stanley to re-certify the contested report to the state. Here's what went wrong in the process.

CAMPUS

Professors who wrote letter call out board's "reprehensible" behavior

Jack Armstrong

September 27, 2022

“It's just not the way the board is supposed to behave,” Professor Victor DiRita said. 

CAMPUS

ASMSU approves Board of Trustees accountability measures

Kayla Nelsen

September 23, 2022

“In order to build the trust, transparency, and accountability we can hold our board to, they need to undergo some professional development training and development in general,” Vice President for Academic Affairs Aaron Iturralde said. 

CAMPUS

94 distinguished professors support Stanley

Vivian Barrett

September 21, 2022

Ninety-four highly ranked professors have put their support behind President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. Here's what they said in a letter Monday.

OPINION

EDITORIAL: MSU students deserve clear answers from Board of Trustees

The State News Editorial Board

September 20, 2022

We, as MSU students and journalists, have seen where the board’s priorities lie. By running to the press with rumors and creating this avoidable chaos, our elected officials have proven they’re not in a place to make any sort of decision about MSU administration. The board needs to hold a public meeting to sort this out transparently.