'Inappropriate relationship' with employee leads to Michigan University firing president

Photo Credit: Joseph Xu, Michigan Engineering Communications & Marketing

After learning through an anonymous accusation last month that he "may have been engaged in an improper connection with a University employee," the University of Michigan removed its president, Mark Schlissel, on Saturday.

In a statement, members of the University of Michigan Board of Regents said, "It is with great sadness that we announced that Dr. Mark Schlissel has been removed as President of the University of Michigan, effective immediately.

"We discovered that Dr. Schlissel may have been involved in an improper connection with a University employee on Dec. 8, 2021, via an anonymous report," the statement said. "Following an examination, we discovered that Dr. Schlissel used his University email address to communicate with that subordinate in a way inconsistent with the University's dignity and reputation over a period of years."

“All this information is available on the University’s website. Our community and our state deserve as complete an understanding of this situation as possible,” the university said.

17 Jan 2022