Independent review: MSU must work on communication to fix Title IX issues

EAST LANSING - Michigan State University is working to implement changes to its Title IX policies and procedures following the conclusion of an independent review, which found that its failure to communicate "may irreparably undermine" Title IX progress.

The university hired Husch Blackwell, a Kansas City-based law firm, to conduct the review and the law firm did so in two phases. The first phase report determined MSU's polices followed federal law, but provided some recommendations.

On Wednesday, the university released second phase report, which serves as the final report. It looked at the effectiveness of MSU's Title IX program and included discussions with various campus groups, including faculty, international students, student athletes and students in fraternities and sororities.

The law firm found that "there is one theme relating to MSU’s efforts to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct and gender discrimination that resounds from each segment of the MSU community: the MSU community must come together as a single, undivided unit, with a unified message regarding what MSU stands for and how it will live these values."

While the law firm wrote in the final report that it is hopeful MSU now has "a roadmap for meaningful improvements to support effective implementation" of Title IX policies, it remains "concerned that MSU still struggles to communicate effectively and consistently about its values and goals, and that this weakness may irreparably undermine the University’s Title IX-related progress."

The law firm added that MSU "must develop an effective and consistent communications strategy that holds steadfast to its values while establishing fair and equitable services and accountability for all members of its community."

Among the Husch Blackwell findings are:

The majority of the student athletes who spoke with the law firm "felt singled-out, stereotyped, and even villainized by other members of the MSU community and the media." They felt that the a vast majority of MSU student athletes are respectful of others, but felt helpless to change the negative perception.

A few of the respondents said they sensed there was a "code of silence" in the Greek community that discouraged students from reporting sexual misconduct within the Greek community. Husch Blackwell noted that those concerns were not expressed from within the Greek community.

A few faculty participants said that they felt the faculty as a whole wants to do the right thing, but may be choosing not to report sexual misconduct allegations "out of fear that they might lose their jobs or face other forms of retaliation." Those faculty members said MSU should do a better job communicating its policies against retaliation.

Some respondents said sex education in secondary schools needs to be improved as part of MSU's efforts to prevent sexual assault and harassment in higher education. They said that "many secondary schools educate students about safe sex, but that there may not be an emphasis on consensual sex." MSU has begun developing sex education programs for secondary schools throughout the state.

Respondents said that the MSU Police Department should be given more than 10 minutes during freshman orientation to connect with students about the services provided or about how to report a sexual assault. "Some participants felt that students may be afraid or reluctant to report crimes to MSUPD, instead of viewing them as a resource," according to the Husch Blackwell report.

Former MSU President Lou Anna Simon announced the independent Title IX review last year as part of the university’s response to criminal and internal investigations of Larry Nassar.

Nassar abused hundreds of women and girls, many at MSU, over the course of more than 20 years. MSU is facing lawsuits from nearly 300 people related to Nassar's abuse.

Nassar, 54, is serving a 60-year prison sentence on three federal child pornography charges. He also was sentenced to decades in prison on 10 sexual assault charges in state courts.

Read the full Husch Blackwell report here.

Contact Matt Mencarini at (517) 267-1347 or mmencarini@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattMencarini.