MSU trustees did not want to interfere with Tucker investigation, board chair says

The Michigan State University Board of Trustees wanted to be sure they were not part of the sexual harassment investigation involving football coach Mel Tucker that could be seen as interference, the board chair said Sunday.

Rema Vassar said what many MSU officials have said in recent days: they knew few details about the investigation into Tucker, or the identity of the accuser until the media broke the story last week outlining the case in detail. Vassar said the investigation and any decision about personnel is within the purview of the MSU administration, not the board.

The MSU Faculty Senate gave the board a vote of no confidence when it started to ask questions in 2022 about the university's Title IX policies linked to the controversial resignation of Sanjay Gupta, the former business school dean who was forced to step down for failing to report a Title IX violation he believed had already been reported. The case led to a report from an outside law firm and an unresolved lawsuit filed by Gupta against the university.

"We do not want to interfere in the process at all," Vassar said about the case involving Tucker. "It could potentially put those involved in the process and the university at risk."

Vassar made the comments after MSU spokeswoman Emily Guerrant confirmed Sunday that the university is launching an investigation to determine who leaked the name of Tucker's accuser to the media.

It was Vassar's first comment since Sept. 10, when USA Today published a story about how rape survivor and activist Brenda Tracy accused Tucker of inappropriate behavior, including performing a sex act while talking with her on the phone in April 2022. Tucker admitted to the act but said it was consensual, which Tracy denied.

Tucker, who was suspended without pay Sept. 10, called the allegations "completely false" and the university's upcoming Oct. 5 and 6 hearing that may decide his fate a "sham."

The complaint was filed in December, and an outside investigator from Ann Arbor completed a report July 25 as part of an ongoing confidential investigation.

Tracy released a statement last week that said she gave information to the newspaper for publication after the process was completed but let the newspaper publish it early because her identity allegedly was leaked by an outside party to local media.

"Michigan State has had protracted, continual trauma since Larry Nassar," said Vassar, referring to the former MSU doctor who is now incarcerated for sexually assaulting female athletes for decades.

"There is persistent trauma on this campus, and there has not been enough healing. We haven't healed from all the traumas, partly because they keep coming."

Asked if she leaked Tracy's identity, Vassar said she did not and does not believe a board member leaked Tracy's identity.

Even so, the board hired an outside law firm to investigate.

“We expect this investigation to be thorough and complete, and we will take any appropriate action based on the findings,” said Vassar.

"We are committed to transparency and accountability and the privacy of those engaged in the (Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct)  investigation," Vassar said. “Spartans deserve the best. This board is committed to continual improvement to make sure all Spartans are safe.”

kkozlowski@detroitnews.com