The search for an interim president will be national, according to the board.
EAST LANSING, MI – The Michigan State University Board of Trustees appointed university Vice President Bill Beekman as acting president Friday.
The announcement comes as the university deals with the fallout from the Nassar case, which precipitated the resignation of President Lou Anna K. Simon.
The university plans to conduct a national search for an interim president, said Board Chair Brian Breslin, and include students and faculty in the process.
Beekman has served as Secretary of the Board of Trustees and Vice President of the university since 2008, according to his biography on MSU’s website, before which he led the university’s alumni association.
He said his tenure as acting president will be brief as the search for an interim president begins.
Simon announced her resignation in an open letter on Wednesday. University Athletic Director Mark Hollis announced his retirement on Friday morning.
Students interviewed by MLive expressed support for Simon’s decision to resign.
Michigan State students feel ’safer,‘ want to move forward with president gone
Breslin said in a statement he read on behalf of the whole board that the university would be seeking an outside review and would look to implement changes at MSU. He also renewed calls for the Attorney General to investigate.
The university hopes to reopen dialogue and reach a fair resolution with Nassar’s victims, Breslin said.
„It is also clear that MSU has not been focused enough on the victims,“ Breslin said.
„We cannot change the past but we can and will devote our time and resources to foster healing and move forward together,“ Breslin said.
Students plan to rally at 6 p.m. on Friday, calling for change at the university and supporting the survivors of sexual assault.
