Jan 24, 2018
MSU President resigns amid Nassar scandal
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Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon has resigned. The State News student newspaper was the first to report her impending resignation. Simon has been under pressure for not acting after allegations were raised against Larry Nasser, the doctor who assaulted gymnasts during his time at the university.
"As president, it is only natural that I am the focus of this anger...I urge those who have supported my work to understand that I cannot make it about me now. Therefore, I am tendering my resignation as president according to the terms of my employment agreement."— President Simon in a statement
Why it matters: The Detroit Free Press reports Simon "received a report in 2014 of Nassar being cleared...in a sexual assault claim." It's not clear when an interim leader will take her place.
- Rachael Denhollander, the first person to file a report against Nassar, said in court to Simon: "We've been telling our stories for 18 months, and you've yet to answer a single question I have...You issue a press release ... playing word games, saying there was no cover-up because no one believed. The reason no one believed, is because no one listened."
- Go deeper: The overwhelming case against Larry Nassar.
