A Michigan State University trustee is calling for the resignation of it's interim president.
In a statement released to FOX 47 Friday morning, trustee Brian Mosallam called for Interim President John Engler to resign.
Mosallam is the first trustee to do so.
The statement reads in part, " I no longer believe that John Engler’s presence on this campus will allow Michigan State University to move forward. We need leadership that sets a tone of empathy and compassion towards our courageous survivors, and reembraces them as important members of our Spartan community. John Engler simply can no longer do that. And for these reasons, John Engler should step down immediately as this university's interim president."
It is the latest in fallout after the Chronical of Higher Education published Engler's e-mail criticizing Rachael Denhollander and other Nassar survivors. Engler accused Denhollander of receiving "kickbacks" from attorneys and helping them "manipulate" other survivors.
Trustees do hold the power to oust Engler at any time but show no signs of taking action as of Thursday.
FOX 47 spoke to trustee Dianne Byrum Thursday who is calling for Engler to apologize.
“I have called on him to apologize, which is what I expect out of the president of the university when you make a mistake,” said Byrum. “You own that mistake and you apologize and that apology comes with sincerity and you do that right away.”
“The despicable and disparaging comments made about survivors by Interim President John Engler are completely unacceptable. Yesterday I called upon the interim president to apologize for these hurtful remarks, he failed to do so, and therefore I have concluded he is no longer the right person to lead Michigan State University during this difficult period.”
Two state senators including Republican Rick Jones of Eaton County are calling on Engler to resign.
Engler has served as interim president of Michigan State University since January 2018 following Lou Anna Simon's resignation
