EAST LANSING, Mich. — At a special Michigan State University Board of Trustees meeting Sunday evening, board members recommended an increase to President Kevin Guskiewicz’s salary and passed a measure that limits the ability of Trustees to comment on university policy.
Guskiewicz has led MSU since March 2024. Board members who voted for the increase said he was ‘being aggressively pursued’ for roles at other Universities.
By a 6-1-1 vote, the board then voted in favor of extending Guskiewicz’s contract two additional years through March 2031 and increasing his annual base salary moves from $1,029,210 to $2 million. Trustee Mike Balow voted no, and Rema Vassar abstained.
The Board also passed amendments to its Code of Conduct in a 5-3 vote. Trustees Balow, Vassar, and Dennis Denno voted against the change. In the new policy, trustees will be barred from speaking publicly in their individual capacity about disagreements on university policy approved by the majority of Board members. The policy says Trustees must show “loyalty” after board action, that they should “uphold the university’s reputation”, and not “undermine” Board decisions.
Trustees who refuse to sign a statement acknowledging the proposed policy – or who violate it – could face potential public censure, removal of access to “non-essential” university and athletic events, and loss of university-funded legal representation.
