LANSING, Mich. — A strong message came Thursday from U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos using terms like abhorrent and fining the University $4.5 million in the sexual assault case against former Dr. Larry Nassar.
"It's a little crazy that it's still going on and people are still resigning," Bridget McConnell, a junior at MSU said.
Three years after the Larry Nassar sex scandal, MSU is feeling its effects.
"It's a little shocking that people are resigning and it's kind of making it seem like more people were involved," McConnell said.
Provost June Youatt submitted her resignation Thursday after the federal report came out. This comes just about a month after Former Dean William Strampel was sentenced to jail time for misconduct and neglect of duty. Investigators found Youatt was aware of Strampel's behavior but didn't deal with it.
In addition to the fine, the university was ordered to make changes to it's Title IX procedures: including provide a process for Nassar survivors to to come forward, reviewing actions of former and current employees, address campus climate, and more.
"This really was what all of our clients wanted, when they initially came to meet with us. It wasn't about the money, it was about change. It was about making MSU handle things differently," David S. Mittleman said.
University President Samuel L. Stanley announced Thursday that MSU has created a new oversight committee to make sure the university acts on the required steps outlines in the Department of Education's report and the OCR's letter of findings. Mittleman calls it long overdue.
"What I hope comes out of this is that we never have a scandal like this again. If we do, we should be the platform to handle it. The initial year and a half almost two years we were the example of what not to do," Mittleman said.
Students also hope MSU can buckle down and make some changes.
"I hope there's a lot better communication among administration and trainers and all that so no one is in an uncomfortable situation or unsafe on campus," McConnell said.
President Stanley said he was grateful for the thoroughness of the investigation and said they understand the magnitude of the schools responsibility.
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