UM Provost Martin A. Philbert Accused of Sexual Misconduct - Placed on Administrative Leave
Every employee, faculty, and student just got the following email from Schlissel:
To All Members of the U-M Ann Arbor Community:
The University of Michigan has received and acted on allegations of sexual misconduct against Martin A. Philbert, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. With the endorsement and full support of the U-M Board of Regents, I have placed Dr. Philbert on administrative leave, effective Jan. 21, 2020, pending the results of an investigation we began on Friday, Jan. 17.
I will follow up in the coming days regarding the appointment of an acting provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
We take allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously, and our policy is clear: Sexual misconduct will not be tolerated in the University of Michigan community.
I want to apprise everyone of what has happened over the last few days and the actions we have taken.
- On Thursday and Friday, Jan. 16-17, 2020, the university received several allegations of sexual misconduct by Dr. Philbert.
- We began an internal investigation Friday. Over the next three days, the university retained an outside law firm which immediately launched an investigation of the allegations, our Division of Public Safety and Security was engaged, and Dr. Philbert was directed not to report to work. I placed him on administrative leave Tuesday.
- The Office for Institutional Equity, who would normally handle such investigations, reports to the provost. Today, I have moved OIE’s reporting line for all matters related to this investigation to Associate Vice President for Human Resources Richard S. Holcomb.
The U-M Board of Regents and I are committed to a full and thorough investigation, and we will continue to work to ensure the integrity of the process, following the same policy and practices that apply to all employees at U-M. It remains early in the investigation, and no findings or conclusions have been reached.
We thank the individuals who have come forward with these allegations. We know that reporting requires courage. The university has offered support services and will work diligently to assist those who report in every way possible.
We encourage any member of our community who is aware of conduct that may violate U-M’s sexual misconduct policy to notify our Office for Institutional Equity. You may also report, seek support or access confidential resources on our sexual misconduct website.
If you have information on this case, you can report in three ways:
- The Office for Institutional Equity (734-763-0235)
- U-M’s anonymous compliance hotline (1-866-990-0111) or via the website.
- Division of Public Safety and Security (734-763-1131)
We recognize and thank the many members of our community who have spent considerable time over the last few years helping us with revisions to our sexual misconduct policies, increasing awareness of this problem and helping us become a better university. These efforts – and your many contributions – have been essential and remain so, as we strive to create a safe, respectful and inclusive culture, where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive and accountability applies to all.
Sincerely,
Mark S. Schlissel
President
Good to see they're hitting it hard and not waiting around.
January 22nd, 2020 at 3:36 PM ^
Multiple allegations in one day?
Hope justice is served.
January 22nd, 2020 at 3:50 PM ^
That seems odd to me, unless the allegations are all from the same person.
I also hope justice is done. And if the man is innocent, I hope the newsprint is just as large reporting the exoneration as the allegation.
And now I have to txt my daughter.
EDIT: Kid doesn't know anything not in the email. Promised to update me with any rumors or info.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:12 PM ^
the wording is unclear.. maybe multiple reports on the same incident?
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:18 PM ^
Could be that several folks were on the receiving end of the sexual misconduct, discussed it together and went to the university together.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:45 PM ^
Yep. In my experience the facts in the OP make it read like two (or more) people were talking at some point recently, and both (or all) realized they had received the same treatment from this guy, which likely caused the multiple complaints.
While I'm sure he deserves a fair and full investigation, sounds like he's guilty. Glad they removed him almost immediately.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:56 PM ^
That’s what happened to a Director in my organization last year. Apparently, there were 10-12 complainants that came forward together with accusations. That’s hard to ignore.
The guy was a real sleaze bag. He cornered a junior engineer at an after hours work event and kept buying her drinks. Who still thinks they can get away with that type of behavior nowadays?
January 22nd, 2020 at 3:38 PM ^
I second the OP's sentiment. While it is a black eye for a university to have such a high-ranking individual involved in something like this, I'm glad the administration was able to respond with an investigation leading to administrative leave in under a week (basically the next business day). Perhaps our B1G brethren could learn a thing or two.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:02 PM ^
Not so much a black eye for the university unless he was hired and they knew of earlier allegations at his previous employment. There are bad actors everywhere.
What counts is the university acted swiftly and decisively (so far) and that is what the folks at Penn State, Michigan State and Ohio State didn't do.
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:08 PM ^
So they shouldn't bring in an ex governor to attack the victims?
January 23rd, 2020 at 9:55 AM ^
We have a Lieutenant Governor in Virginia who is an alleged sexual predator. Do you want him for this?
January 23rd, 2020 at 1:15 PM ^
Stop with the fucking “we handle sexual assault the right way” arrogance.
This thing is just getting started and there’s no way to know how it’s going to eventually play out. Maybe the school handles it better than PSU, OSU and MSU did their scandals, maybe they don’t.
This “It could never happen here” bullshit is exactly why things like this do happen.
January 23rd, 2020 at 2:23 PM ^
We've already handled this better than PSU, MSU, and OnlineSU to date so your point is, well, stupid.
You could go find another fan site to troll. Just a thought.
January 24th, 2020 at 12:52 PM ^
Sure, there's still a lot more proof needed to definitely say that throughout the entirety of an investigation... but this is a good first step and the right thing to do here.
January 22nd, 2020 at 3:48 PM ^
Received this email as well. Disappointing if true, but nevertheless applaudable how it seems to have been dealt with.
Edit: Here's a quote from Philbert from 2018:
“The University’s mission of education, research and service requires that every member of our community feels welcomed, valued and able to work free from the threat of sexual misconduct,” Philbert said. “Sexual misconduct is a very serious matter, something that we seek to prevent and that we are committed to addressing immediately and effectively should it occur. Our work to prevent and address such misconduct begins with education.”
January 22nd, 2020 at 6:06 PM ^
Philbert is a textbook name for a sex offender.
January 23rd, 2020 at 2:03 PM ^
Somebody has to say it--innocent until proven guilty.
To wit, the Parkland kid.
January 22nd, 2020 at 3:49 PM ^
Soooo, I guess Schliss ain’t fucking around.
January 22nd, 2020 at 3:51 PM ^
Damn, we took pretty quick and decisive action on this. Good job Schlissel
January 22nd, 2020 at 3:52 PM ^
Damn, that is transparency
January 22nd, 2020 at 3:52 PM ^
MSU would be like "Nothing to see here. The bitches wanted it."
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:04 PM ^
It's natural to want to compare and drag them in, but it's better if we don't.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:09 PM ^
Nah, they are douche canoes when it comes to defending lack of action at MSU.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:09 PM ^
It's absolutely applicable to "drag" Staee into it. They could learn a lesson or two on how to handle these situations instead of from their usual denials, attempts to influence the public, and victim-shame.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:12 PM ^
Great minds, Stig.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:22 PM ^
Indeed.
I <3 U.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:37 PM ^
Get a room, you two!
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:40 PM ^
speak for yourself. I'm here for the love parade.
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:00 PM ^
choo choo.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:52 PM ^
MSU's email would've announced bonuses for the offender and for Lou Anna Simon.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:01 PM ^
Will be interested to see what happened. Allegations are not a conviction, but it seems the initial investigation into the alleged incidents was enough to merit a significant response.
Seriously, how hard is not to be a dirtbag? Again not speaking to this specific incident as little in the way of facts have been made public, but FFS, dudes.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:10 PM ^
Seriously, how hard is it to wait for more facts, before making these comments?
How do you know if somebody was a "dirt bag?" You don't even know what the allegations are or if there is any evidence to support them.
Allegations are simply allegations and the "significant response" may be standard procedure even if somebody is perfectly innocent.
I am concerned about both sides in this case, the serious matter of sexual misconduct and the possibility of false allegations destroying someone's life and career.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:06 PM ^
Have these terrible allegations even been reported to local law enforcement?
I'm hoping the answer is yes, because it's impossible to ignore the fact that universities and educational institutions are simply not equipped, nor appropriately resourced and experienced to effectively and thoroughly conduct investigations of criminal matters, especially sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape, in a manner that protects the rights of victims and the accused as well.
I don't blame universities for habitually effing these investigations up. It's not their core competence.
Law enforcement and the prosecutor office, meanwhile, are equipped, experienced and have the resources to collect and corroborate evidence, interview witnesses, make arrests, file charges, and prosecute while following due process and equal protection rules, etc.
Sexual assault, sexual harassment and rape are serious, heinous crimes and deserve the best human endeavor and competence in order to reach justice. My faith that universities know WTF they are even doing with this is pretty much gone.
We don't allow employees from a local cake bakery to start working on North Sea oil rigs.
Can someone explain how or even why we still tolerate this dysfunctional and ineptitude-ridden arrangement in such matters of the law.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:15 PM ^
Yes, if criminal behavior is alleged, let's hope so. I wouldn't trust any university to perform a competent and fair investigation of alleged criminal sexual misconduct. Thus far, they have made a terrible mess of it, trampling on the rights of the accused.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:17 PM ^
now, if we're talking straight up illegal behavior, then yeah.
but a lot of this stuff is a weird grey area, much like sexual misconduct in the workplace. HR is left to deal with things that are not illegal, but could be fireable offenses.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:21 PM ^
Have these terrible allegations even been reported to local law enforcement?
Huh?
Clearly in the absence of a crime, HR handles it first.
For example... co-workers are sleeping with each other. The co-workers break up. co-worker A claims co-worker B some sort of sexual misconduct. Does that go to the police immediately? No. HR needs to look at it -- was it really just a bad breakup or was it criminal (and then punt to the police)?
Another example, co-worker A asks co-worker B out. Co-worker B is highly offended and goes to HR with all kinds of *accusations*. Does that go to the police immediately? No.
Your point about people not equipped to handle criminal investigations is well taken. But before the stake and pitchfork crowd go all Nancy Grace on someone, the institution has to be given a chance to determine if this is a policy violation or is it a crime.
What those people need to be equipped with is the integrity to go to the police when it is a crime. Something which has not happened at ohio state, Pedophile State, or Staee.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:22 PM ^
Beat me to it with better examples, +1 for you
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:03 PM ^
Thank you for your response on this.
"The institution has to be given a chance to determine if this is a policy or is it a crime..."
This is my original point exactly.
Police already DO make these determinations in all of the examples you have cited. They get called to houses where the wife is yelling at the husband for burning the last slice of toast.
Why would any reasonable person think or believe that a public education institution, or an LLC or corporate organization - staffed at best with human resource professionals - would be in any way adequately qualified, experienced and can make a determination whether criminal sexual misconduct took place or didn't take place?
Also, why would employees or former employees entrust educational institutions or HR professionals with this decision?
Make zero sense.
Don't get me wrong. I realize that at some point in the recent past, we already crossed that frivolous and stupidity chasm. I don't remember when. And it's only made matters worse for alleged victims.
But apparently here we are, and we keep letting the goddamned bakers onto the oil rig. That needs to stop (IMO).
It might be OK if they're going to bake the crew a pretty and tasty birthday cake or scrounge up some delicious napoleons or canolis for the rig crew. But that's not what they're doing.
As a result, criminal sexual assault victims and the accused are both having their rights irreparably harmed by this incompetent arrangement.
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:43 PM ^
The employee doesn't give up the right to go to the police if they go to HR first. I'm not sure what point you're trying to make.
January 22nd, 2020 at 6:07 PM ^
I'm not sure what point you're trying to make.
S/he's not.
S/he just repeated the same thing twice. With the second time just being a longer word salad.
something something bakers make shitty roughnecks something something.
Who woulda guessed?
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:22 PM ^
You are assuming the "sexual misconduct" was criminal. It can be entirely possible he had consensual sex with one or more underlings or maybe he sent a requested dick pic on a work phone. These could clearly break a work place policy rule, but not meet the level of criminal misconduct. The law would not care about these situations.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:23 PM ^
In cases of rape, sexual assault I agree 100% with you but if it’s an ex-employee alleging sexual misconduct such as inappropriate advances etc ... is that a police matter?
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:39 PM ^
Yep law enforcement never messes these types of things up.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:48 PM ^
To be fair, UM does have a police unit that is equipped to handle this type of allegation.
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:04 PM ^
Schlissel also says in the email that he did contact DPSS so the UM Police are involved.
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:06 PM ^
Campus police answer to the administration that he was the second in command for..The same reason why Hollis directing investigations with Payne and Appling was a conflict of interest.
January 22nd, 2020 at 6:45 PM ^
If the University is calling in outside counsel after an internal investigation with DPSS, which led to an "immediate investigation" on outside counsel's part, there might be something serious afoot.
Trust me. The lawyers in U-M's OGC are not cut-rate strip mall rejects who landed in academia. They could be internal counsel at a Fortune 500 company no problem. If their counsel launches an investigation that leads to administrative leave over the weekend with the mass email on Wednesday afternoon, this can't be small potatoes.
They are likely getting out in front of something.
January 23rd, 2020 at 10:02 AM ^
" Have these terrible allegations even been reported to local law enforcement? "
Ummm... it's right there in the email -
"our Division of Public Safety and Security was engaged"
DPSS are Washtenaw County Sheriffs.
January 24th, 2020 at 2:20 PM ^
DPSS is law enforcement. While it is valid to raise questions of potential conflict of interest or bias, it is not valid to suggest that they lack equipment, experience or training. DPSS includes a cadre of sworn officers. If you still have questions about whether they're conventionally trained, it might be helpful to know that partner with other LEOs in the area for a lot of training.
Also, I don't think it's fair to say that OIE staff have no experience or training. They are highly trained in exactly this kind of work.
But even if they weren't up to snuff, the U got an outside firm to investigate so there wouldn't be questions of OIE's work (since it normally reports to the provost)
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:13 PM ^
Glad they acted quickly and it gets resolved. The multiple accusations one on day thing is noticeable.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:26 PM ^
The head of the department tasked with overseeing sexual misconduct complaints is being investigated for sexual misconduct. I would expect this role to understand the need to steer clear from the smallest whiff of a hint of the smell of misconduct, and to display an exemplary form of the proper behavior at all times. It is called leadership.