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