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00:00 All right, thank you everyone for joining us here on short notice today.
00:11 This time I'd like to bring up Michigan State University Vice President and Director of
00:15 Athletics, Alan Howard.
00:16 Hello everyone, thank you for joining us this afternoon on such short notice.
00:35 I'm here to provide an update on an active and ongoing investigation.
00:40 Before I share that update, it's important to know that I'm limited in the information
00:45 I can share and the questions I can answer because this is an investigation that's still
00:51 ongoing.
00:52 Upon receiving the reports from the claimant regarding Mel Tucker, MSU's Office of Civil
00:58 Rights immediately commenced a review of subsequent and subsequent investigation per university
01:05 protocol using an outside third party investigator.
01:10 I was aware of the report in late December.
01:13 The external investigator concluded their review and submitted their investigative report
01:19 on July 25th with a recommendation for a formal hearing which will occur the week of October
01:26 5th.
01:28 The university's objective has been and remains focused on conducting a fair, thorough, and
01:34 unbiased investigation and allowing the processes to play out.
01:40 This includes protecting confidentiality of the claimant and putting in place interim
01:46 measures.
01:47 The university's formal conclusion of the investigation will occur once the hearing
01:52 and final decision processes are complete.
01:56 I want to emphasize again, this investigation is not complete.
02:02 Interim measures are something that are constantly evaluated throughout the process based on
02:09 developments that may have a potential impact on the ongoing investigation.
02:15 As there have been new developments before the hearing and with the best interest of
02:20 everyone, including student athletes and the university community in mind, I have suspended
02:29 Mel Tucker without pay as an additional interim measure.
02:34 While the investigation continues, I made this decision with the support of university
02:39 leadership.
02:40 I would now like to welcome Interim President Teresa Whitliffe to the podium for a few brief
02:47 comments.
02:48 Thank you, Alan.
02:49 I want to reinforce that these matters are unique and complex and our investigations
02:59 are designed to be comprehensive and fair.
03:02 Our guiding principles are equity in process and confidentiality for all involved in order
03:08 to protect the integrity of the investigation.
03:12 I want to put a fine point on what A.D. Howard shared just a moment ago.
03:17 In the MSU of today, when any report comes into the university, it is appropriately and
03:23 rigorously reviewed.
03:26 In the MSU of today, our investigative processes are fair and thorough.
03:32 In the MSU of today, in all cases, we continually review interim measures to ensure appropriate
03:40 actions are taken.
03:43 So this morning's news might sound like the MSU of old.
03:49 It was not.
03:50 It is not because an independent, unbiased investigation is and continues to be conducted.
03:56 That investigative process is not complete and had not been referred to A.D. Howard or
04:00 the university.
04:01 That process will not be complete until there is a hearing and a final decision.
04:06 It is not the MSU of old because we maintain the confidence of the claimant and the respondent
04:11 while respecting and valuing the claimant's and respondent's right to share their story.
04:17 It is not because of the further action we take today.
04:21 The action A.D. Howard took comes with the full weight of my support.
04:27 As he shared, these new developments before the formal hearing can impact the case and
04:32 the community.
04:34 This step to place Mel Tucker on an unpaid leave is equally necessary and appropriate
04:40 for today's circumstances.
04:44 These actions are not taken lightly, and I know A.D. Howard is making them in support
04:49 of the interests of the individuals impacted.
04:55 Before I conclude, I want to reinforce that this indeed is an ongoing investigation.
05:00 I appreciate the commitment of the leadership and staff within the Office for Civil Rights
05:07 for their important, thorough, and unbiased work today and every day.
05:13 I also want to thank the Board of Trustees, Faculty Senate Chair, and student leaders
05:18 for their engagement with me today.
05:22 It is not lost on me the significance of this moment or its impact on those involved in
05:27 the case, our university community, and the extended Spartan family.
05:34 The MSU of today is creating a culture that is welcoming, supportive, and caring.
05:42 The bravery and work of our collective community defines our institution and its people, not
05:47 the action of any single individual.
05:51 If you have heard or experienced or know of behavior that does not seem appropriate, please
05:57 know that you have the support and resources here at MSU, including our Center for Survivors,
06:04 which is a confidential resource, or our Office for Civil Rights.
06:09 Additionally, for those among our community for whom this information is difficult, MSU's
06:15 Counseling and Psychiatric Services is also available to help.
06:20 To members of the media, I hope you note these important and critical resources for our community
06:26 in your stories.
06:28 Now I'd like to welcome Aidy Howler back to the podium.
06:31 Thank you.
06:32 Thank you, President.
06:33 Today I met with our student athletes and coaches to provide an update on the leadership
06:49 of the program.
06:50 Beginning immediately, Harlan Barnett will serve as acting head coach, while Mark D'Antonio
06:56 will become an associate head coach.
06:58 A former Spartan student athlete with 21 years of coaching experience, including 15 on the
07:04 Spartan sideline, Coach Barnett has an incredible connection to our university and takes incredible
07:09 pride in being a Spartan.
07:12 He has established relationships with student athletes and is focused on well-being first
07:17 and foremost.
07:19 Coach D'Antonio not only is an exceptional football coach, and will be a tremendous resource
07:25 for Harlan.
07:28 Both men have a deep love and care for Michigan State football, Spartan athletics, the university,
07:34 and the East Lansing community.
07:37 Coach Barnett will be available later this week for questions.
07:40 At this time, we've got time for two or three questions.
07:45 We do have a mic.
07:46 I know we won't be able to get to everybody, but Ben's got the mic here.
07:51 Starting from the press.
07:53 With the decision to promote Harlan and bring back Mark D'Antonio from a football standpoint,
08:03 how did that come about and what was Mark's response when you contacted him and how that
08:10 worked?
08:11 Thanks, Chris.
08:12 You know, Chris, I think all the time, and I'm always processing information, processing
08:19 situations.
08:20 I can't tell you that I thought of this yesterday, today, or even a couple days ago.
08:27 I'm always thinking.
08:28 So these are contingency things that I think about with all of our programs and a lot of
08:33 different situations.
08:34 So it's been an ongoing process for me, Chris.
08:37 I called Coach D'Antonio this morning, and his response was, "Harlan, wherever you need,
08:42 I'm here to help."
08:44 So he's excited to be back, and Coach D will probably be back at some point tomorrow, if
08:51 not tomorrow, definitely on Tuesday.
08:53 We're still trying to figure out his role, but he definitely will wear a headset either
08:58 on the sidelines and up in the booth, and he'll offer his knowledge of his coaching
09:04 career.
09:05 So I think it'll be a tremendous asset for our student-athletes and our staff, and the
09:09 student-athletes will be fired up when I mention it, too.
09:13 Thanks, Chris.
09:14 >> Hey, Allen, I was wondering about the timeline you laid out for the process and the investigation.
09:20 I was wondering what changed to make you take action now, given what you knew before?
09:24 >> Yeah, Matt, we're always evaluating.
09:27 Interim measures were in place, and those interim measures have been updated.
09:32 Initially, there were no contact with the complainant, and then also increased oversight
09:38 for me of the program and also the coach.
09:43 So it's an ongoing process, and we update those interim measures as we receive information.
09:49 >> Last question here from Graham.
09:51 >> Allen, was there any consideration once the findings came, once the investigation
09:55 was complete in July, and you sort of had the information you do now of doing what you're
09:59 doing now before the season, before it sort of interrupted what's going on with student-athletes?
10:05 >> For me, Graham was working and waiting on the university as it relates to their
10:10 investigative process, making sure that they were allowed to complete their investigation.
10:15 So although the investigation was completed on the 25th, there's still ongoing processes
10:20 that still need to be played out.
10:23 >> So thank you.
10:24 That's all the time that we have for today.
10:26 I appreciate you guys for joining us on short notice.
10:30 Thank you.
10:32 [BLANK_AUDIO]