MSU Board of Trustees recommends new contract for president, passes contentious update to ethics code
EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – After a contentious Sunday night special meeting, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees has voted to adopt a new Code of Ethics and Conduct that some trustees believe would limit their free speech. The board also voted to recommend a new contract for President Kevin Guskiewicz, who trustees say is growing “frustrated” with how the board is operating.
The Board of Trustees convened in an unusual Sunday night virtual meeting on May 17 that saw the approval of a new policy that would, in part, prevent trustees from speaking publicly in their individual capacity about disagreements on university policy approved by the majority of board members.
The measure passed by a vote of 5-3. The full meeting can be viewed here.
Trustees Mike Balow, Rema Vassar and Dennis Denno voted against it. Balow and Vassar voiced concerns that the policy violates free speech and hinders their ability to govern.
“It’s very disappointing to me that this abomination of a university policy is being put on the agenda on a Sunday night at 8 o’clock,” Balow said. “This is something that is absolutely an assault on the First Amendment of any person who is serving in any sort of elected capacity and an assault on the governance capability of those of us who might be in the minority at any given time.”
The policy change says, in part, that trustees must show “loyalty” to the institution, that they should “uphold the university’s reputation,” and not “undermine” board decisions.
Any trustees who refuse to sign a statement acknowledging the newly adopted policy by May 24 — or those who violate it — could face potential public censure, removal of access to “non-essential” university and athletics events, and loss of university-funded legal representation.
The full updated Code of Ethics and Conduct can be read below.
The board on Sunday also voted to recommend awarding Guskiewicz with a new contract that would nearly double his annual salary to $2 million per year and extend his contract by two years until March 4, 2031.
The vote passed 6-1, with Balow objecting and Vassar abstaining.
Trustee Sandy Pierce said the push for a new contract comes as Guskiewicz is being “aggressively pursued” by other schools. While Pierce did not discuss which schools are purportedly pursuing Guskiewicz, the University of Michigan is among the high-profile schools nationwide currently searching for a new president.
Pierce said it is unclear where the money for the nearly $1 million increase would come from, but the recommendation will be sent to the Budget and Finance Committee. She said the money would not come from the school’s general fund.
Vassar, joining the virtual meeting from Egypt, said the board has not seen an “active offer” and they have not consulted the president about whether he wants an increase. She also voiced frustration that the meeting was held on short notice and on a Sunday night – 3 a.m. Monday in Egypt – and said the board should have considered both measures at its upcoming June meeting.
The resolution passed to recommend Guskiewicz’s new contract can be read below.
FULL MEETING:
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for the latest updates as they become available on-air and online.
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