University of Michigan President
Mark
Schlissel
has
been
fired
effective
immediately
following
an internal investigation revealing
Schlissel’s
inappropriate
behavior
with a subordinate at the University,
according to a Saturday press release
from the Board of Regents.
The decision was made at a closed-
door Board of Regents meeting
Saturday morning without a public
vote after the board hired a third party
investigator to determine whether or
not Schlissel’s actions as president had
violated the University’s supervisor
relationship policy.
“It is with great disappointment
that we announce that the University
of
Michigan
Board
of
Regents
has removed Dr. Mark Schlissel
as President of the University of
Michigan, effective immediately,” the
Board of Regents wrote in a Saturday
press release.
The policy, which was introduced
in July 2021, states that “a Supervisor
may not, implicitly or explicitly, initiate
or attempt to initiate an Intimate
Relationship with a Supervisee over
whom
they
exercise
supervisory
authority,” and was implemented in
July 2021 following allegations former
Provost Martin Philbert had used his
position to coerce women into sexual
relationships.
The
firing
comes
after
an
anonymous complaint submitted on
Dec. 8. revealed Schlissel had been in
an inappropriate relationship with a
University employee. A subsequent
investigation was performed which
found he had used his University
email
account
to
inappropriately
communicate with said employee.
Schlissel’s
existing
contract
contained a morals clause which
stated his behavior as President “be
consistent with promoting the dignity,
reputation, and academic excellence of
the University.”
The Board of Regents released
a letter transmitted to Schlissel
informing him of his termination. In it,
the regents outlined their justification
for
firing
him,
citing
messages
sent from his University email to a
subordinate. Because the regents fired
Schlissel for cause, he will no longer
receive the golden parachute he and the
regents negotiated when he announced
he would resign in 2023.
Schlissel had previously provoked
the regents’ ire for failing to to
communicate with the board regarding
the Detroit Center for Innovation. Talks
broke down between donor Stephen M.
Ross and Dan Gilbert, who owned the
site. An anonymous administration
official who spoke to the Detroit Free
Press said the regents felt Schlissel
left them in the dark as negotiations
faltered.
In October, Schlissel announced
that he would be stepping down from
the job in June 2023, a year earlier than
planned. The Detroit Free Press at the
time categorized his stepping down
early as a deal between the members
of the board who were satisfied and
dissatisfied with his performance.
The
decision
was
announced
Saturday night. A press release from
the University announced president
emerita Mary Sue Coleman will serve
as interim president. Coleman served
as president from 2002 until 2014.
In a statement posted to the Board
of Regents website, Coleman wrote
she was sad to learn of the allegations
against Schlissel but was honored to
once again be leading the University.
“While
saddened
by
the
circumstances, I am honored to be
asked to again serve the University
of
Michigan,”
Coleman
wrote.
“When I left the U-M campus at the
end of my presidency in 2014, I said
serving this great university was the
most rewarding experience of my
professional life. I’m happy to serve
again in this important interim role.”
The University has hired the private
law firm Jenner & Block to continue the
investigation into Schlissel’s behavior.
According to the Detroit Free Press,
the firm is also investigating whether
Schlissel misused University funds
to support his relationship with the
unnamed subordinate.
In an email obtained by the
Michigan Daily addressed to LSA
employees
Saturday
night,
LSA
Dean Anne Curzan wrote she would
be meeting with fellow deans and
senior leaders tomorrow and will
communicate additional updates in the
coming days.
Curzan wrote Schlissel’s firing
reinforced
to
need
for
sexual
misconduct prevention on campus.
“As I process this news, it only
strengthens
my
commitment
to
continuing the work we have been
undertaking in the college, with the
wise, research-informed guidance of
the Preventing Sexual Harassment
Working Group,” Curzan wrote. “It is
essential.”
Jonathan Vaughn, former University
football and notable survivor of the
late Doctor Robert Anderson who has
been camped outside of Schlissel’s
house for nearly 100 days in protest
of the University’s handling of sexual
misconduct tweeted Schlissel’s firing
would help create a safer campus.
“This news is fuel for my mission:
the safety & protection of the students
of this university,” Vaughn wrote.
“After 99 days of being ignored in front
of former President Mark Schlissel’s
home, the regents finally made 1 good
choice. But there must be many more if
U-M is to be fully accountable.”
The Michigan State University
Department of Police and Public Safety
confirmed
that
three
individuals
were dead following the shooting at
Michigan State University Monday
night. At 8:31 p.m., MSU Police issued
a safety alert in response to reports of
gunshots heard at Berkey Hall, urging
anyone on campus to shelter-in-place
or to “run, hide or fight.” The shelter-in-
place advisory remained in effect until
12:30 a.m. when MSU Police reported
the suspect was found dead and there
was no threat to campus.
MSU police released the names of
three victims Tuesday, all of whom
were students: MSU sophomore Brian
Fraser, MSU junior Alexandria Verner
and MSU junior Arielle Anderson. Five
additional victims were hospitalized
with life threatening injuries Monday
night and remain in critical condition
Tuesday, according to MSU police.
Following
the
attack,
MSU
announced
all
campus
activities
would be canceled through Thursday
and classes would be canceled until
Monday. MSU buildings remain open
for students who live on campus.
counseling services are also available
across campus. A vigil to honor the
victims will be held at 7 p.m Wednesday.
Statues
and
other
community
gathering points on MSU’s campus
have been decorated with flowers
and signs mourning the victims and
encouraging the campus community to
remain “Spartan Strong,” according to
pictures from The State News, MSU’s
student-run newspaper. The State
News reported that several students
were leaving campus Tuesday to
return home for the rest of the week,
telling State News they didn’t feel safe
on campus.
In a joint letter to the MSU staff,
faculty and students, MSU Interim
President Teresa K. Woodruff and
Marlon C. Lynch, vice president
for public safety and chief of police,
thanked the first responders and MSU
community members for their support
throughout Monday night.
“The safety and security of our
campus community is our first priority,”
Woodruff and Lynch wrote.“We want
to thank all our campus residents for
taking this threat seriously, securing in
place and acting to protect themselves
and others. We also want to thank the
hundreds of people from MSU, local,
state and federal law enforcement
agencies and first responders who
worked in a coordinated effort to
respond to the shooting.”
In a news release Tuesday, MSU
Police expressed their support and
dedication to the campus community
during the ongoing investigation of the
shooting.
“We cannot begin to fathom the
immeasurable amount of pain that
our campus community is feeling,” the
release said. “We want to ensure our
community that our department as
well as our law enforcement partners
will conduct a comprehensive and
thorough investigation regarding this
tragic incident.”
The MSU Police commended the
campus community for reporting
updates on the shooting and looking
after their personal safety, citing a
caller’s tip that led the police to the
suspect at 11:35 p.m. The suspect was
found dead due to a self-inflicted
gunshot wound. In a tweet Tuesday
morning, MSU police reported that a
threatening note was found with the
suspect, leading several public school
districts in the East Lansing area to
close Tuesday. While the investigation
remains
ongoing,
MSU
Police
confirmed that the 43-year-old suspect
had no affiliation with MSU.
The MSU Board of Trustees released
a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying
they have been in communication
with the victims’ families and are
encouraging community members to
support each other.
“This morning, the Board talked
with families who lost their children
due
to
senseless
violence
our
community is suffering,” the statement
read. “We are devastated with them
and for them. Please hold space with
the entire Spartan community as we
navigate the weeks ahead. We will get
through this difficult time by healing
together.”
The
Associated
Students
of
Michigan State University, MSU’s
undergraduate student government,
also released a statement Tuesday
afternoon expressing the shared feeling
of grief and loss across the campus and
condemning gun violence.
“To all the victims and their
families, we are absolutely devastated,”
the statement read. “This is a loss felt
by all of Spartan Nation, and the pain
we feel is unbearable. It is one thing
to acknowledge the horrible reality
of gun violence in America, but it is
another to experience it firsthand.
This morning, we mourn not only the
lives of our peers and friends but also
the loss of the feeling of security and
safety on campus. To all students who
experienced this campus tragedy last
night, our hearts go out to you during
this unsettling time.”
University president Santa Ono
sent a statement to U-M community
members
Tuesday
morning,
emphasizing
that
U-M
campus
administration is working closely with
MSU and encouraging students, staff
and faculty to reach out to one another.
“I know many in our community
are reeling from this event as you
have friends or family who belong to
the MSU community,” Ono wrote. “I
encourage us all to take a moment to
show our appreciation and support
for one another. Support resources
are available on campus for students,
faculty and staff.”
Ono also ordered all flags on the U-M
campus to be lowered to half mast until
further notice to honor the victims.
2 — Graduation Edition 2023
News
UMich President Schlissel fired
3 students dead following shooting at MSU
Internal investigation reveals ‘inappropriate relationship’ with employee
Community honors lives of MSU students Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner and Arielle Anderson
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
GRACE BEAL/Daily
SHANNON STOCKING &
SNEHA DHANDAPANI
Co-Editor in Chief &
Daily Staff Reporter
GEORGE WEYKAMP
2022 Daily News Editor
Kim Dong Yeon, the governor of
the Gyeonggi province — the largest
province in South Korea — presented
the 11th annual Sang-Yong Nam lecture
on democracy at the University of
Michigan Museum of Art Monday
afternoon. About 100 students and Ann
Arbor community members attended
the event, which was hosted by the Nam
Center for Korean Studies along with the
Ford School of Public Policy.
Kim earned his doctorate from the
School of Public Policy in 1993 and has
served as a Korean government official
since 2014. After serving as the Minister
of Economy and Finance and the Deputy
Prime Minister of the country, Kim took
office as governor on July 1, 2022.
The event is also where the Sang-
Yong Nam Award is presented, which
annually grants $3,000 to a graduating
senior or a recent graduate of the Korean
Studies program. Nam Sang-Yong, the
namesake of the Center for Korean
Studies, was the department’s largest
benefactor, having donated more than
$4 million to the program.
In an interview with The Michigan
Daily at the lecture, LSA junior Jinny
Kim said it was a special event because
it
commemorated
Nam
and
his
contributions to the department.
“I think this event is really big because
it’s the one time that the Nam family
comes out to celebrate (since) their
father’s passing and also just what he has
done for our center,” Jinny Kim said.
LSA senior Olivia Daniel was
announced as this year’s recipient of the
Sang-Yong Nam Award. LSA Dean Anne
Curzan presented the award.
“The Nam Center shares Elder
Nam’s commitment to create important
connections across campus and around
the world,” Curzan said.
In her acceptance speech, Daniel
spoke about how the center facilitated
her interest in Korean studies and
culture.
“I immersed myself in Korean
culture through Nam Center events,
studied abroad at Yonsei University
and presented at academic conferences
devoted entirely to Korean studies,”
Daniel said. “I am so grateful that I have
been able to contribute to this vibrant
community.”
All classes moved
online in response to
COVID-19 virus
Dorms and dining halls will remain open
while large events are canceled or limited
BARBARA COLLINS,
CLAIRE HAO &
EMMA STEIN
2021 Managing News Editor,
2021 Editor in Chief &
2020 Daily News Editor
Read more at MichiganDaily.com
‘Campus is alive again’: classes return to in-person
After two and a half semesters of virtual and social distance learning, 91% of classes are now in-person
After two and a half semesters of
virtual learning and social distancing,
many students said they were excited
to return to a semblance of normalcy
yet still nervous about the delta
variant as they headed back to the
classroom this past week.
With 91% of this semester’s classes
now in person, many students told
The Michigan Daily they were
relieved to make the transition from
Zoom calls to lecture halls.
Between
awkward
breakout
rooms and all-too-real Zoom fatigue,
some students particularly felt the
absence of one-on-one connections
that
once
defined
in-person
instruction, LSA senior Alex Meyer
said.
“We were lacking face-to-face
contact (during virtual learning),”
Meyer said. “It’s harder to build
relationships with classmates and
professors over Zoom.”
Looking back on the past year and
a half, LSA junior Regan Monnett
found that the challenges of virtual
learning made this week’s return
to the classroom all the more
memorable.
“The
past
year
makes
me
appreciate the classroom in person
much more,” Monnett said. “It also
helps me remember to be patient
with everyone because everyone’s
adapting as everything goes along.”
As eager as students are to be
back in the classroom, concerns
over the looming threat of the delta
variant still linger among both the
student body and faculty. COVID-
19 cases have risen in Michigan to
nearly double their September 2020
numbers.
“I’m definitely nervous about how
things are and have been in terms of
COVID,” Monnett said. “Some of the
buildings have been very busy so far,
which is nerve-wracking.”
Just as flexibility and resilience
were key to navigating the last three
semesters, the past week has already
tested students’ ability to adjust in a
period of unfamiliarity, Meyer said.
“Even just my habits of taking
notes, it’s harder to get back into it
now as opposed to before. It’s a lot
harder to pay attention,” Meyer said.
Many students said they felt
nervous in anticipation of this week’s
in-person classes. This was especially
true for LSA junior Brianna Evans,
who transferred to the University
this past year.
“I was really nervous because I
hadn’t learned in person in a while
and because I’ve never been here
before,” Evans said. “I was anxious
about finding classes, but so far, it’s
been okay.”
Now that Kinesiology junior Peter
Grobel — who transferred to the
University his sophomore year — is
able to experience in-person classes
for the first time, he said he is excited
to finally learn what it means to be a
Wolverine.
“I hope to get the full Michigan
experience, having all clubs and all
classes in person,” Grobel said. “It’s
just nice to have everything up to full
speed, albeit (with) masks and some
restrictions.”
Students fill every classroom,
residence hall and library, reviving
the
once-desolate
campus
he
experienced during his first year at
the University, Grobel said.
“Campus is definitely much more
lively compared to last year when it
was completely empty,” Grobel said.
“There would be two people at the
bus stop, and now you see lines of
freshmen going and going. Campus is
alive again.”
This spirited atmosphere has
welcomed many new faces to
campus. Countless times over the
past week, Art & Design freshman
Mari Kamidoi said they witnessed
campus-wide kindness firsthand.
“My first impression of Michigan
was that everyone’s really friendly,”
Kamidoi said. “I haven’t met a single
unfriendly person.”
Uncertainty remains a defining
theme of the 2021 school year, with
many students unsure of what the
fall semester will ultimately look
like. While grateful for in-person
instruction, Meyer anticipates a
return to online learning in the
coming months.
“Most of my labs are using a mixed
format now with a whole section built
around virtual learning,” Meyer said.
“I’m sort of expecting that we can see
a return to virtual classroom classes
come mid-semester, so I’m keeping
my expectations low.”
Hundreds of University faculty
and Graduate Student Instructors
have signed a petition calling for
greater COVID-19 planning and
safety precautions, citing the rising
threat of the delta variant and its
potential to infect vaccinated people.
In an email to faculty Thursday —
which some faculty said they found
insufficient — University President
Mark Schlissel and Provost Susan
Collins said classrooms are the “safest
place” to be this semester in response
to the faculty and GSI’s demands for
more detailed COVID-19 guidelines.
For the time being, however,
students are making the most
of in-person instruction as they
continue to tackle school in the age of
COVID-19.
“This next semester, I plan to focus
on building in-person relationships
with people here at Michigan after
transferring,” Grobel said. “All in all,
I’m really just excited to see what
being at Michigan’s all about.”
EVAN DELORENZO
2021 Daily Staff Reporter
Read more at MichiganDaily.com
DOMINICK SOKOTOFF/Daily
FILE PHOTO/Daily