MSU Interim President John Engler was dismissive of sexual assault claims as governor

Submitted by Leaders And Best on

People are now taking a closer look at John Engler's record after his appointment as MSU interim president. Only took 24 hours to have it start blowing up in their face. It is being reported that Engler fought and dismissed the investigation of rape and assault of female inmates in Michigan prisons by guards. The women ended up winning lawsuits against the State of Michigan after years of stonewalling. Sounds like the perfect person to lead MSU now. The incompetence of their trustees shows no limits.

http://www.bridgemi.com/public-sector/msu-interim-president-john-engler-was-dismissive-sexual-assault-claims-governor

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20090716/FREE/907169994/michigan-settles-prison-sexual-abuse-suit-for-100m

I'm Batman

January 31st, 2018 at 5:43 PM ^

Engler wasnt hired to clean up the mess. He is there to keep the lights on while the school looks for their next leader.



Sure its deplorable, and probably a misguided decision. But it has nothing to do with Michigan sports, and doesn't really warrant its own topic. 

 

 

I'm Batman

January 31st, 2018 at 6:32 PM ^

and he is nothing more than a placeholder til the next President is picked. 



Who knows if Bill Beekman can keep the lights on or not. As Vice President of the school, it would be hard for me to believe he didn't have knowledge of the Nassar situation to begin with, and may be facing his own retirement.



 

ST3

January 31st, 2018 at 6:45 PM ^

He can. It's pretty simple. You just make sure the switch is in the "on" position. Beekman certainly has more knowledge about the day to day workings of the university than Engler. It's more likely that Engler was brought in so that things WON'T happen. It's more stalling and hoping this thing will go away. I have news for MSU; this is not going away.

Cali's Goin' Blue

January 31st, 2018 at 6:49 PM ^

That your idea that he was only brought in for his name is proven wrong based on his history and political ties. The man has attempted to cover up sexual crimes before, has a large amount of connections to higher ups in the Michigan community, and doesn't seem to have a problem sacrificing morals for the benefit of himself and those around him. 

Considering what has gone on at MSU and their history of hiring people who don't have moral integrity and have continually chosen to protect MSU rather than the women who have been assaulted and mistreated, this seems to continue a disturbing trend. The board of Trustees and the university itself has not tried to own up to its mistakes, nor seem to understand the severity of the issue. They continually try to find someone to bail themselves out of a situation they created and nourished on their own. 

I pointed out 2 days ago that we shouldn't have some dude's twitter post about MSU's situation on Mgoblog, as it provides no insight. But this actually does! I could go on but I think my point is clear already. 

East German Judge

January 31st, 2018 at 7:53 PM ^

How was this ENGLER THING not predictable from this board of trustees, the same clowns who thought by giving lou ann simon a raise, that would some how convince all of us dolts that things at staee were just great and they were a bastion of integrity and righteousness.

MGlobules

February 1st, 2018 at 10:18 AM ^

gutted Title IX investigative procedures just two days after a meeting on the subject with Simon, they got downvoted--presumably because the observation looked political. But under the circumstances. . . quite likely germane. As hell. 

 

EDIT: 

 

Sept. 20, 2017: Lou Anna Simon meets with Betsy DeVos. 

Sept. 22, 2017: Obama-era Title IX guidance is withdrawn

Oct. 10, 2017: Michigan State asks to have federal monitoring ended

 

https://deadspin.com/betsy-devos-rolled-back-title-ix-protections-two-d…

evenyoubrutus

January 31st, 2018 at 5:53 PM ^

I wonder if MSU thinks that this is like the NFL. When you know you're going to lose, just tank so you can get the highest draft pick possible. Maybe someone should tell them that hiring administrators doesn't work that way.

Gulogulo37

January 31st, 2018 at 5:58 PM ^

Jesus. Their decision probably took minutes. "Well, Engler is my buddy and people know him." *Others shrug shoulders and nod slightly* "Sure. Sounds fine to me."

Mr Miggle

January 31st, 2018 at 6:50 PM ^

And there were about the same number of posters complaining about all the discussions here about them.

This is a very big story and it hits close to home for many of us,  so you can shove the MSU obsession crap. Really, it's the biggest story in college sports and in the state of Michigan for many years.

LSAClassOf2000

January 31st, 2018 at 6:18 PM ^

I mean, I get that the "interim" title - on the surface - means you're there to prepare the university for whatever future awaits it and lay the groundwork for some meaningful change after a disastrous series of events such as those MSU has experienced. I had, however, almost forgotten all about the Department Of Corrections cases and how badly that went for him, so yeah, it's not really the MSU pedigree so much as things like this coming out which bring the whole appointment into question. Pandering to the donors THIS much is going to make it far worse on MSU, IMHO.