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Blog and Media Roundup - Saturday, Dece ber 16, 2017; News Roundu
Topic Started: Dec 16 2017, 04:29 AM (92 Views)
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UNC chancellors get raises, and the biggest one goes to Carol Folt

By Jane Stancill

jstancill@newsobserver.com

December 15, 2017 06:46 PM


UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt received a 6.1 percent salary hike Friday – a $36,362 raise and the largest increase among a slate of pay raises for 13 of the UNC system’s 17 chancellors.

The raises were passed Friday by the Board of Governors, though several members voted against them. The pay hikes range from 2.5 percent to 6.1 percent and are retroactive to July 1.

Folt’s increase brings her salary equal to N.C. State University Chancellor Randy Woodson, who received a 2.5 percent raise, or $15,434. They both will have an annual salary of $632,810.
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No raises were given to the chancellors hired within the last two years, including Johnson Akinleye at N.C. Central, Cecil Staton at East Carolina and Thomas Conway at Elizabeth City State. No raise was given to Mary Grant, who is leaving her job at UNC-Asheville at the end of the year to lead the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston.

Two chancellors, Jose Sartarelli at UNC-Wilmington and Robin Cummings at UNC-Pembroke, each received 4.99 percent raises. Two others, Sheri Everts at Appalachian State and David Belcher at Western Carolina, received 3.46 percent raises. Eight received a 2.5 percent raise.

Board members were split on the issue, as well as a vote to raise the market pay ranges for the president, chancellors and senior administrators by 3.46 percent based on a consultant’s study of salaries in both higher education and industry since 2015.

The vote followed two lengthy closed sessions of the board’s personnel committee, where the raises would have been discussed.

UNC President Margaret Spellings said the disagreement was in part focused on the question of awarding raises to the newer chancellors.

“The committee had a belief that it takes awhile for a chancellor to hit his or her stride and that a raise after two years was a more appropriate horizon than an annual review, at least initially,” she said.

Board Chairman Lou Bissette said he voted against the slate of chancellor’s raises because he preferred the original recommendations from Spellings for raises for all the chancellors.

Spellings said she met with chancellors over the summer and evaluated them. She said the raises were based on performance measures on institutional goals, strategic goals and personal areas for development.

Two years ago, the Board of Governors was sharply criticized for a round of raises for chancellors that ranged from 8 percent to 19 percent.

Jane Stancill: 919-829-4559, @janestancill

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article190085369.html#storylink=cpy
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http://statenews.com/article/2017/12/msu-apology-to-survivors-coverup-allegations-false


President Simon, trustees apologize to Nassar survivors, say cover-up false
By Madison O'Connor madison.oconnor@statenews.com

December 15, 2017 4:15 pm


MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and the board of trustees apologized to survivors of sexual abuse for the abuse suffered and the pain it has caused during their meeting Friday morning.

The board also announced it will establish a $10 million fund to go toward counseling and mental health services on campus.

But to some survivors of sexual abuse by ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, apologies fell flat.

And for others, the timing for Simon's proposed pay raise to $150,000 — which Simon declined and donated to the Drs. Lou Anna K. and Roy J. Simon Scholarship Fund — was "insulting."

The meeting follows months of controversy at MSU, which was elevated recently following calls for Simon to resign, accusations of a "cover-up" by MSU and survivors growing more and more frustrated with MSU's silence.


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President Simon listens to victims speak during a board of trustees meeting on Dec 15, 2017 at the Hannah Administration Building. Protesters gathered to address the misconduct of MSU’s handling of the Larry Nassar investigation. Sylvia Jarrus | The State News


During the meeting, Simon and all eight trustees addressed survivors and student protesters.

First was Simon, who thanked survivors for coming forward with allegations through a prepared statement.

"Without your voices and your courage, Nassar wouldn't be behind bars," Simon said. "I am truly sorry for the abuse you suffered, the pain it caused and the pain it continues to cause today. I am sorry a physician who called himself a Spartan so utterly betrayed your trust and everything this university stands for."

Simon also said MSU has restructured reporting lines, strengthened mandatory reporting compliance and created a new position for youth protection.

"I also have been focused on taking steps to strengthen every part of MSU's operations, policies and procedures that might in any way be improved to prevent something such as this from happening again," she said.

Simon wasn't available for comment following the board meeting.

Chairman Brian Breslin read a statement on behalf of the board. He said while the board understands the public's desire for information and details, MSU is still engaged in civil litigation. Breslin said it's simply not appropriate to offer specific details during this process.

"It is simply not true that there has been any kind of cover up," Breslin said. "From the outset, we have directed our counsel to report immediately to us and to relevant law enforcement any knowledge of criminal behavior. We stand before you today and tell you that no such person has been identified to us."

Breslin said when the board pushes back against accusations made by plaintiffs' lawyers about MSU, it's to "set the record straight" and to protect MSU's educational and research missions. He said that push back is not a reflection of how MSU views the victims.

All seven remaining trustees also addressed the survivors and protesters.

Trustee Brian Mosallam said the administration sometimes comes across as "tone deaf and maybe sterile" and apologized for everything the victims have endured.

"We have hired in this case what I believe to be one of the most ethical attorneys that we could have," Trustee Dan Kelly said, and he, too, apologized to survivors and their parents.

Trustee Melanie Foster said the board has worked collaboratively to make MSU better and said she is confident that no one was "hiding anything." She thanked Simon for her leadership.

"I want you to know that I'm listening, I care, I've read your victim statements and that I am absolutely committed to change the systems that embolden sexual predators like Larry Nassar to exist," Trustee Dianne Byrum said.

Byrum also said she hopes MSU will never have "another Larry Nassar" again.

"God bless those victims. And God bless our president who's leading us in the right direction when all the facts are on the table," Trustee George Perles said.

Trustee Mitch Lyons was another trustee who apologized to victims. He said the board has always put the victims ahead of MSU's reputation and brand.

Trustee and Vice Chair Joel I. Ferguson expressed his support for Simon during his comments and said MSU is in a "golden age."

"When we touch all the bases, we have one person who really took advantage — and, really, a kind man — that took advantage of so many colleagues that this person was working with," Ferguson said. "But the best foundation we have is Lou Anna Simon's leadership."



Kaylee Lorincz, a survivor, and mother Lisa Lorincz, said they do not believe the apology from Simon was heartfelt.

"To believe that they had no idea is ridiculous to me," Kaylee Lorincz said. "I do not believe that whatsoever."

Kaylee Lorincz said she believes some of the board's apologies were heartfelt and sincere, but that Simon's was not.

"I think the timing of things was really hurtful," Lisa Lorincz said. "They knew what the agenda was for today's meeting, so to applaud President Simon and the token of the $150,000 just was another assault, and that's what hurts."

Following the board's comments, survivors and student protesters took to the podium.

Kaylee Lorincz and Lisa Lorincz both asked Simon and the trustees to support calls for an independent external investigation into MSU.

Jessica Smith, another survivor, criticized MSU for failing to take ownership of the situation. Smith previously created Me Too MSU, a social media group for survivors of Nassar's sexual assault and for those who support them.

"How can you say you did a complete internal investigation without speaking to victims such as myself?" Smith said. "How can this university say they had no knowledge of Nassar's conduct when it was reported for 20 years?"

Another survivor, Morgan McCaul, 17, said MSU has a responsibility to protect women and failed to do so.

"You have the opportunity to do right by the hundreds of young women who endured this abuse at the hands of your golden boy," McCaul said. "Anything short of this is reprehensible cowardice and endangerment to every single little girl who steps foot on this campus."

McCaul is also listed as "Jane B. 21 Doe" in a federal lawsuit against Nassar and MSU among others.



Seniors Hannah Thomas, Anna Cumming and Ewurama Appiagyei-Dankah organized the student protest. Over a dozen students accompanied them, holding signs and wearing gags behind the speakers at the podium.

Thomas and Cumming both addressed the board and echoed calls for an independent external investigation.

Following the public comments, Simon suggested working with survivors and student protesters to provide input to preventative policies and practices at MSU.

Nassar is accused of sexually abusing more than 140 women and girls, ranging from local gymnasts to Olympic athletes, under the guise of medical treatment.

He was arrested in December 2016 on charges of possessing “at least 37,000” images of child pornography to which he pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison for the receipt, possession and destruction of child pornography.

Nassar pleaded guilty to a total of 10 first degree criminal sexual conduct charges in November 2017 — seven in Ingham County and three in Eaton County. His sentencing for each of these charges could range from a minimum of 25-40 years to life in prison. The Ingham County sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2018, and the Eaton County sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 31, 2018.

Nassar is also a defendant in nine lawsuits, all of which also list MSU, MSU's board of trustees and USA Gymnastics as defendants.
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http://www.therepublic.com/2017/12/15/gym-doctor-sexual-assault-10/

Michigan State chief denies raise, under fire over ex-doctor

12/15/17 2:47 PM

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon declined a $150,000 raise on Friday, as school officials face growing criticism for their handling of an ex-campus doctor who sexually assaulted many young gymnasts.

Simon rejected the raise at a Board of Regents meeting attended by several victims of Larry Nassar. He pleaded guilty last month to molesting girls at his campus office and elsewhere. Simon and the board agreed to put the money in a scholarship fund and create a $10 million fund for mental health services for sexual assault survivors.

Simon, who has previously rejected raises, also received the board’s support.

“We extend our deepest sorrows and sadness for what has happened to each of you,” Simon said after victims and supporter spoke. Earlier, she praised the “survivors,” and told them that Nassar betrayed their trust and wouldn’t be in prison “without your voices and courage.”

Still, victims and others in attendance said apologies were inadequate, arguing Simon and other leaders should resign for failing to protect victims for decades. They also called for an independent investigation, with its findings ultimately made public.

“I’m happy that Larry Nassar is now in jail … but I’m very disappointed by a lack of concern and disrespect shown toward me,” said Kaylee Lorincz, 18, who said Nassar sexually assaulted her with his hands when she sought treatment for back pain at 11. “Today’s apology is not enough and it comes too late. … Many of the administrators, coaches and trainers still hold their positions and continue to deny responsibility for his actions.”

Simon earned about $860,000 in 2015, according to the latest data released by The Chronicle of Higher Education. She was the 12th-highest paid public university executive in the United States that year.

Lorincz, a freshman at Adrian College, said she was accepted at Michigan State, her “dream” school, but couldn’t attend because she wouldn’t feel safe there after her ordeal with Nassar. She added that she has received no counseling from the university, or contact from anyone asking how she is doing or to “offer a kind word.”

Michigan State officials have denied accusations the school covered up misconduct by school administrators. The university police and the FBI conducted a joint investigation earlier this year to determine if any school employees besides Nassar committed crimes. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette this month urged the school to give him an internal report but the school has said there isn’t one.

Jessica Smith, 23, who identified herself at the meeting as another victim of Nassar, said she couldn’t understand how the university could complete its own probe “without speaking to the victims.” She said his conduct has been reported by victims for 20 years.

Smith said the school has “failed us” and should be “taking responsibility for those who were hurt under your control.”

“I find it baffling that at 23 … I have to say this to a group of adults,” said Smith, standing alongside demonstrators holding signs with messages that included “believe survivors” and “break the silence.” ”He admitted his guilt. We are no longer accusers — we are victims and survivors of this abuse.”

Nassar, who also worked for USA Gymnastics and lost his physician’s license in April, admitted his conduct had no legitimate medical purpose and that he did not have the girls’ consent. The 125 girls and young women who have filed reports of abuse with campus police will be able to speak at his Jan. 12 sentencing.

The criminal cases against Nassar followed reports last year in The Indianapolis Star about how USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians, mishandled complaints about sexual misconduct involving the doctor and coaches. Women and girls said the stories inspired them to step forward with detailed allegations of abuse.

Many of the accusers have sued Michigan State, USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

William Strampel, dean of Michigan State’s College of Osteopathic Medicine who has been named in lawsuits, announced Thursday he was taking a leave of absence for medical reasons. University officials say he will no longer be dean but remains a faculty member.
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