Michigan State University Interim President John Engler is under fire for emails he exchanged with an aide about victims of Larry Nassar. Nassar is the former M-S-U sports doctor who sexually assaulted his patients for years.
Members of the university’s governing board want Engler to resign.
In emails obtained by the Chronical of Higher Education, Engler says a Nassar survivor is probably receiving a “kickback” from lawyers. Hundreds of Nassar survivors are suing the university. Engler also says survivors are being manipulated by trial lawyers.
Trustees Brian Mosallam and Dianne Byrum released statements saying Engler needs to go. Mosallam says the university needs to focus on institutional reform in the wake of the Nassar scandal. But Engler’s statements fly in the face of that.
“This institution, the head of this institution, the tone of this institution cannot be as such. Therefore I think it’s time, he needs to step aside.”
Engler said in a statement that he’s continuing to look forward.