Whitmer urges MSU board to cooperate amid Mel Tucker, board misconduct investigations

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to the Michigan State University Board of Trustees on Thursday urging members to cooperate with an investigation into who leaked the identity of a rape survivor and activist the university determined was sexually harassed by former football coach Mel Tucker.

Tucker hired Brenda Tracy as a sexual violence prevention educator before making unwanted sexual advances toward her and masturbating during a phone call with her without Tracy's consent, a university review concluded in a report issued Wednesday. Tucker's agent said that the former MSU football coach plans to appeal, according to a report from USA TODAY.

Tracy decided to share her story publicly after her name was leaked to the news media, according to her lawyer. The university has begun an investigation into who at MSU may have leaked Tracy's name.

It's one of two investigations into alleged misconduct involving the board.

Chair Rema Vassar faces allegations from fellow Democratic board member Brianna Scott of bullying and inappropriately interfering in university affairs. Student newspaper The State News first reported the letter from Scott to her board colleagues detailing the alleged misconduct and calling for Vassar's removal. Vassar has denied any wrongdoing. Scott's letter states that MSU obtained information alleging a board member was behind the leak, according to a copy.

Whitmer declined to comment on the specific allegations that have prompted calls for Vassar's removal.

MSU controversy: Michigan State Board chair allegations represent 'serious breach of conduct,' Gov. Whitmer says

"All I can say is they are serious and if they are true, I think people of the university — the students, the alumni, the faculty, all the people that work there — have lost trust in leaders. And there's been a failure of leadership at every level at the university. But we have to get the facts before we really know what it means," she told reporters at a Michigan Press Association event Thursday.

Whitmer echoed that comment in her letter to the board while urging trustees to "fully cooperate" with the investigation into the leak and another about the allegations against Vassar in Scott's letter.

Read the full letter:

"There must be an unwavering commitment by all individuals who participate in the process to engage with total candor, full transparency, and complete cooperation," Whitmer wrote. "Leaders at our public institutions must lead by example — not just in how we conduct ourselves in our daily pursuits but also in how we respond when challenges or problems arise."

Vassar has hired her own legal counsel in the investigation of the Tracy leak, according to The State News.

Whitmer has not said whether she plans to remove Vassar but previously told the Free Press that she remains prepared to consider a request to do so. She also backed calls to overhaul the process for electing university board members.

Voters elect board members for MSU, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University after political party conventions nominate candidates. Asked Thursday whether she supports changing this system, Whitmer responded with a single word: "Yes."

Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer to MSU board: Cooperate with Tucker, misconduct investigations