MSU Board of Trustees Voices Support for President Simon

The Michigan State Board of Trustees announced Friday afternoon that it would stick by President Lou Anna Simon.

Board chairman Brian Breslin announced, "We continue to believe President Simon is the right leader for the university and has our support" in a statement.

Breslin also announced Michigan State would begin working with the Attorney General's office on an investigation to determine who enabled Nassar to continue his practices for so long.

The announcement comes after a tense week of victim impact statements during Larry Nassar's sentencing proceedings. Calls for Simon's resignation came from all sides of the MSU, greater Lansing, and sports community.

Eric Lacy and RJ Wolcott of the Lansing State Journal reported Breslin did not take questions after his announcement.

The State News, the university's student newspaper, notably ran an editorial on Thursday with a cover stating "President Simon, Resign."

Politicians including gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer and state legislators State Rep. Sam Singh D-East Lansing and State Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. D-Meridian Township have called for Simon's resignation.

State Attorney General Bill Schuette, who is also running for governor, called for Michigan State to turn over it's investigation to his office last month.

Kim Kozlowksi of the Detroit News reported earlier this week 14 MSU officials including Simon had been notified of Nassar's misconduct to some extent.

Former MSU Gymnastics team member and Nassar survivor Lindsey Lemke confronted Simon Friday afternoon to question Simon's knowledge of the situation affecting MSU athletes.

The Michigan State Board of Trustees possesses the sole power to dismiss Simon.

Friday's proceedings also included statements from Dewitt native and Olympic Gold Medalist Jordyn Wieber and fellow 'Fierce Five' teammate Aly Raisman.