Sue Carter, a Michigan State journalism professor, resigned Wednesday from her position as faculty athletic representative, saying "I no longer have the desire or the heart to support this administration going forward."

The letter, sent to university president Lou Anna K. Simon and copied to athletic director Mark Hollis and Board of Trustees secretary Bill Beekman, is in response to the university's handling of former sports medicine doctor Larry Nassar.

"As both professor and priest, I am profoundly saddened by Michigan State University's public posture and seemingly callous regard for these girls and women," Carter wrote.

Carter's resignation came one day after Michigan State received a letter of inquiry from the NCAA regarding its handling of Nassar, who was sentenced Wednesday to 40 to 175 years in prison for seven counts of sexual assault.

In 2014 Carter was named faculty athletic representative, which "functions as the faculty voice in intercollegiate athletics on issues of academic policy related to student-athletes." The position also chairs the university's Athletic Council.

Carter's resignation came two days after she authored a statement, signed by seven other members of the Athletic Council, about Michigan State's handling of Nassar, and spoke with Simon on the phone. The letter from the Athletic Council members read:

"The courage of the women who have spoken out and testified about their sexual assault by former Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar is dramatic and the harm they endured is appalling. Their stories of repeated abuse, sometimes for years, is profoundly imprinted on us. The pain these athletes have endured horrifies us and we grieve for and with them. They are our MSU daughters and athletes entrusted in our care, and the university failed them.

"We are profoundly sorry for what they experienced, and for the ways their lives have been unspeakably altered. We are ashamed that these disgusting actions were perpetrated by a member of our community. The women's resolution in sharing intimate details of deceptive medical treatment shows true leadership. We are proud of their strength.

"This must never again happen on our campus or, more importantly, to vulnerable girls and young women anywhere. As members of the Athletic Council, we are only advisory to the Athletic Director and to the President. Still, we have a voice.

"We use that voice now to say that our university can, and must, be better than this. Allowing unconscionable and criminal behavior does not represent the values of this pioneer land-grant university. Those who are found to be culpable must be held accountable."

Carter has been a Michigan State faculty member since 1991 and is a member of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. She previously served as secretary of the Michigan State Board of Trustees and executive assistant to Simon and former university president Peter McPherson and was press secretary for former Michigan Gov. James Blanchard.