Michigan State University trustees have until this weekend to sign an updated board ethics policy with new additions that some say reinforce obligations but others portray as an effort to silence dissenters. Board members approved the changes 5-3 during a special Sunday night board meeting while also approving a near doubling of President Kevin Guskiewicz’s salary to $2 million amid concerns he may depart. The new policy states that trustees will support and not undermine decisions made by the majority of the board; they will uphold the university’s reputation, not provide misleading or false information about the university or divulge confidential information and will act after the board decisions “consistent with our fiduciary duties, including the duty of loyalty.”Failure to comply can result in public censure, denied access to university events, removal from leadership positions, prohibition from representing the university and referral to the governor for potential removal from office.
Trustee Mike Balow said board chair Brianna Scott told the trustees days before the special meeting that additions to the new policy and Guskiewicz’s raise were needed to keep the president from accepting another position.
