Michigan State University Interim President John Engler has taken the first step to revoke tenure of William Strampel, former dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
The university says in a news release that the request was submitted to the Office of the Provost Friday. The request begins the process to terminate Strampel’s employment as a faculty member. Engler also announced MSU will not cover Strampel’s legal expenses in relation to the sexual abuse scandal involving former faculty member Larry Nassar.
“William Strampel did not act with the level of professionalism we expect from individuals who hold senior leadership positions, particularly in a position that involves student and patient safety,” Engler says. “Further, allegations have arisen that question whether his personal conduct over a long period of time met MSU’s standards. We are sending an unmistakable message today that we will remove employees who do not treat students, faculty, staff, or anyone else in our community in an appropriate manner.”
Nassar was sentenced last month to 40 to 175 years in prison for sexual misconduct. In addition to being a faculty member at MSU, he was a doctor for USA Gymnastics, the organization responsible responsible for selecting and training national teams for the Olympics. He worked for two decades with elite gymnasts, in addition to thousands of youth athletes and women and girls who saw him for sports injuries.
Engler says: “I sincerely hope the courageous survivors of Larry Nassar will see this as an unmistakable indication that things are changing quickly at Michigan State. I said last week that their efforts would not be in vain. This is just the first step in restoring trust in Michigan State.”
To dismiss a tenured faculty member, a faculty hearing committee must find cause exists to revoke tenure. Engler says he is confident the faculty panel will make such a finding.
