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 5:04 PM ^
Nice to see a school in Michigan where the President and the regents act quickly to serve justice and not try to cover things like this up for the optics.
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:08 PM ^
Seems easy enough. Either accusations of violations of UM policy are substantiated, or they are not. If they are, he needs to be fired sooner than later. If not, best wishes to him.
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:26 PM ^
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the matter being made public if the allegations are not of a criminal nature. At least until an investigation is conducted.
January 22nd, 2020 at 6:10 PM ^
Agreed.
But in #metoo land, and considering U of M is a public institution, right or wrong, it's going to be made public.
Even the accused have rights in this country -- like it or not to the person who negged you on this.
January 22nd, 2020 at 8:02 PM ^
I think ItsGreatToBe above nailed it on the head. To go from allegation to suspension with mass community email in <5 days, means they are getting out in front of something and exponentially increases the chances it is going to end very badly for Dr. Philbert.
January 22nd, 2020 at 9:34 PM ^
Just to be clear, one of the first posts I made on the topic was a note about how I'm glad Michigan isn't taking the B1G East route on this.
However, that doesn't mean that handling it properly and respecting the rights of all involved, has to be mutually exclusive.
The person in question is still getting paid... just administratively suspended from work. It hasn't risen to a criminal level yet. All of which is in the president's letter.
Let's give the process a chance to play out before we convict on assumptions.
January 22nd, 2020 at 8:27 PM ^
You have to remove him from his job while the investigation happens and there's no way to cover up that the Provost is not coming to work. It's too important of a position.
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:12 PM ^
I think its odd they name a guy in a quasi public email when its basically unproven allegations at this point. Ive seen a few workplace investigations for various types of misconduct and privacy of involved parties was upheld even after termination (if that was the consequence).
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:50 PM ^
Paid or unpaid leave? I'll wait to hear the facts of the investigation before drawing any conclusions. I hope it isn't true. Btw multiple allegations in one day are not indicative of anything, I've seen administrative staff and teachers collude to make wild accusations against administrators they don't like.
Anyone at any time can make anonymous allegations against an administrator with no proof at all and if the accusation is serious enough (despite no evidence), that admin may be placed on temporary paid leave.
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:55 PM ^
Very thorough email.
January 22nd, 2020 at 6:05 PM ^
Hopefully this case is similar to UM football in that it doesn’t live up to expectations, is only regionally relevant, and doesn’t command national attention.
January 22nd, 2020 at 6:13 PM ^
Philbert was a prominent figure at one of my former UM clients, and I had some brief interactions with him, albeit of a superficial nature. Always seemed like a good guy. Very puzzled how something could have blown up like this, considering his position as Provost—of all people, he knows how serious this shit is going to be taken here.
What's curious to me is the very public nature of this email—Schlissel has to know that a large percentage of people who see it will assume guilt right off; an investigation that exonerates Philbert will inevitably be almost as controversial as one that concludes he's guilty.
Regardless of what the outcome of the investigation is, Philbert's administrative academic career is almost certainly over.
January 22nd, 2020 at 7:43 PM ^
Anyone else concerned about the University 'thanking the people who came forward because it takes courage'? What if the allegations turn out to be false?
January 22nd, 2020 at 7:59 PM ^
Well there you go. a Regent presuming guilt and using the word 'survivors' just days after the allegations get reported.
January 23rd, 2020 at 10:24 AM ^
A VAST majority of people that come forward with something like this are being truthful. False accusations rarely happen as often as people think.
January 22nd, 2020 at 8:43 PM ^
Stay away from women as much as you can in any employment situation. It used to be that you could date the opposite sex but you can't anymore. I am not saying one way or another what occurred but just making an unpopular comment. Don't interact with women except to do your job.
January 22nd, 2020 at 9:37 PM ^
Hmmmm...
#nopolitics but this is exactly the same take Mike Pence had and he got vilified for it.
Just saying... it's not like I voted for him.
January 23rd, 2020 at 10:25 AM ^
Or, and hear be out, don't be a creep/predator and treat women like human beings instead?