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The recent accusations against Vassar shed new light on Vassar’s extensive involvement behind-the-scenes in various recent MSU controversies. These controversies include the removal of a controversial business dean, the withholding of the Nassar documents, the rapid turnover of presidents, and the impending legal battle over the university’s firing of its football coach due to sexual harassment claims. Scott’s letter, shared with The State News on Sunday evening, reveals how each accusation is connected to board bylaws and university policies that Vassar allegedly violated. Scott and other board members attempted to resolve their frustrations privately, but claim that this only led to more bullying from Vassar and potentially harmful consequences for the university. Trustee Diane Byrum supports Scott’s letter and also calls for Vassar’s resignation. At this time, Vassar and other board members have not responded to requests for comment from The State News.
The letter accuses Vassar of consistently “bullying” Interim President Teresa Woodruff and undermining her authority on numerous occasions. Vassar allegedly demanded Woodruff’s schedule and insisted on speaking at all of her engagements. Vassar’s lateness to events, including a reception for student leaders that was delayed by 90 minutes, is also mentioned. Woodruff, who announced in August that she will not be seeking the permanent presidency, was unavailable for comment. Previous president Samuel L. Stanley Jr. resigned last fall, citing frustration with the board’s interference in day-to-day university business. The letter claims that Vassar’s interference increased after she became chair, including a secret meeting with City of Lansing officials to discuss moving university colleges and students to a downtown Lansing site without the knowledge or consent of the full board or administration. Lansing Mayor Andy Schor confirmed his meeting with Vassar, but described it as “preliminary” with discussions centered on public-private partnerships and potential MSU real estate investments downtown. An anonymous source in the provost’s office called these meetings “inappropriate” and interfering with their work.
The letter reveals that an independent investigation into MSU’s handling of the February campus shooting found that board members overstepped their roles and became too involved in the incident. Vassar, dissatisfied with the initial findings, reportedly pressured the consultants to revise the report before its release. The revised report described the board members’ involvement as beyond what is expected from a governance board. Scott’s letter also accuses Vassar of violating the board’s ethics policy by flying in MSU donors’ private jets for a basketball tournament. The letter questions the appearance of influence and suggests that Vassar personally pay the donors for the flights. University travel records obtained by The State News do not contain any evidence of Vassar’s travel, unlike the other MSU attendees who submitted commercial airline tickets for reimbursement. The letter claims that the other trustees confronted Vassar about the private jet trips but she refused to pay the donors back.
In addition, the letter accuses Vassar of attempting to settle a lawsuit by former business dean Sanjay Gupta without the knowledge of Interim President Woodruff. This allegedly interfered with the university’s negotiation process. Vassar also allegedly released a $1.6 million outside investigation into Gupta’s ousting without the approval of the board or the guidance of MSU’s general counsel and outside lawyers. The letter argues that these actions violated multiple provisions of the board’s code of conduct. Furthermore, the letter accuses Vassar of soliciting a letter from the Michigan attorney general requesting long-withheld documents related to the university’s handling of Larry Nassar, but then not releasing them. This was allegedly done without consulting the administration or other board members. Vassar’s refusal to allow investigators to review her cell phone contents for the Brenda Tracy leak investigation is also criticized in the letter. The investigation was prompted by allegations that a current member of the board leaked Tracy’s name to former trustees, and Vassar’s refusal to participate is said to hinder the investigation’s progress. Vassar is also accused of victim-blaming and minimizing trauma when discussing Tracy with former trustee Pat O’Keefe.
The letter concludes by claiming that Vassar violated board policies by appearing in an advertisement for a former trustee’s wealth management firm. The ad features Vassar alongside Brian Mosallam, a managing partner of Spartan Wealth. The firm has no official connection to the university.
