CAN YOU HEAR THEM NOW? Kyle Stephens Jessica Thomashow Victim D Chelsey Markham Jade Capua Alexis Moore Olivia Cowan Rebecca Mark Bethany Bauman Kate Mahon Danielle Moore Marion Siebert Annette Hill Taylor Stevens Victim 55 Amanda Cormier Jennifer Rood Bedford Nicole Soos Ashley Erickson Melissa Imrie Victim 125 Megan Halicek Victim 48 Katelyn Skrabis Brianne Randall Victim 2 Anna Ludes Lindsey Schuett Maggie Nichols Tiffany Thomas Lopez Jeanette Antolin Amanda Thomashow Victim 105 Gwen Anderson Amanda Barterian Jaime Doski Jenelle Moul Madeleine Jones Kayla Spicher Jennifer Hayes Nichole Walker
Victim 75 Chelsea Williams Stephanie Robinson Carrie Hogan Helena Weick Victim 28 Victim 10 Taryn Look Jamie Dantzscher McKayla Maroney Lindsey Lemke Nicole Reeb Lyndsy Gamet Taylor Cole Jessica Smith Arianna Guerrero Melody Posthuma Van der Veen Christine Harrison Victim 153 Victim 11 Victim 136 Kristen Thelen Katie Rasmussen Jessica Tarrant Mary Fisher-Follmer Maureen Payne Katherine Payne Jordyn Wieber Chelsea Zerfas Samantha Ursch Kara Johnson Maddie Johnson Marie Anderson Amy Labadie Ashley Yost Aly Raisman Kassie Powell Megan Ginter Katherine Gordon Katelynne Hall
Anya Gillengerten Kaylee McDowell Lindsay Woolever Hannah Morrow Bayle Pickel Alexis Alvarado Morgan McCaul Trenea Gonzcar Larissa Boyce Bailey Lorencen Valerie Webb Whitney Mergens Marta Stern Clasina Syrovy Emma Ann Miller Amanda Smith Taylor Livingston Victim 163 Victim 183 Presley Allison Kamerin Moore Krista Wakeman Samantha Daniels Victim 159 Alliree Gingerich Megan Farnsworth Kourtney Weidner A.N. Charla Burill Lauren Michalak Vanasia Bradley Breanne Rata Erin McCann Catherine Hannum Victim 170 Jessica Chedler Rodriguez Victim 138 Morgan Margraves Victim 127 Victim 142 Victim 162
Victim 186 Victim 185 Victim 73 Victim 165 Whitney Burns Isabell Hutchins Meaghan Ashcraft Natalie Woodland Jillian Swinehart Alison Chauvette Anna Dayton Olivia Venuto Victim 126 Mattie Larson Jessica Howard Alexandra Romano Arianna Castillo Selena Brennan Victim 190 Makayla Thrush Emily Morales Abigail Mealy Ashley Bremer Victim 195 Brooke Hylek Abigayle Bergeron Emily Meinke Morgan Valley Christina Barba Amanda McGeachie Victim 177 Victim 178 Sterling Riethman Kaylee Lorincz Rachael Denhollander
SIMON RESIGNS
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@THESNEWS
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Voices
Rachel Fradette Editor-in-chief editorinchief@statenews.com
EDITOR’S NOTE:
This is just the beginning. We are ready to fight. Are you? “Our newsroom is prepared, but we all need to be ready to ask questions and demand results. Otherwise, what’s happened will fall to the wayside and we will have not fought for change. This is just the beginning, MSU. We knew it then and we know it now. But, you must know that we, The State News will persist, so others who aim to do harm cannot.” Rachel Fradette Editor-in-chief
RACHEL FRADETTE RFRADETTE@STATENEWS.COM
We aren’t the status quo, but I can sleep at night because we took this case seriously from the beginning. We saw the survivors rise from anonymity to public servants. We were in the courtroom from the very beginning. So here we are in the newsroom — overworked, caffeinated and thriving. I say this not to concern others or complain, but to make it abundantly clear to our audience: We aren’t going to slow down. We aren’t going anywhere. We are here to let you speak, even if we are
President Lou Anna K. Simon walks into the Red Cedar Room before a press conference on Sept. 23, 2017, at the Kellogg Center. Simon has been under fire for the administration’s response to the Larry Nassar situation. STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO
both ignored by MSU in the process. A few weeks ago, while these stories grew in exposure, I lost someone very close to me. He fought for people. I sat back and thought about how uncommon it was for people to stand up to bullies back then. He taught me you don’t need to be a savior for others, but when they ask you to stand up with them, no matter the trials and tribulations, you rise to the occasion. I keep my promises, and I promise our newsroom will rise to the occasion. We will ask the scary questions, follow the never-ending leads and deliver the facts to the MSU community. We decided to let this newspaper speak for itself this week. You will find our words to be limited in this paper. MSU’s community, our audience, is angry. We have received several voices exhibiting a range of emotion. We wanted to let the public claim their time.
Students, alumni and supporters of MSU are watching. We are listening. We are paying attention. We want all of you to feel comfort in sharing stories, thoughts or emotions. In this paper, you will also find just a few of the powerful impact statements read during the full week of Larry Nassar’s sentencing in Ingham County Circuit Court. Read them. Those words will outlive all of us. Nearly a year ago, The State News Editorial Board wrote, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. The only way to find answers is to keep pushing for the university’s openness. The State News will continue to push for the truth and our staff urges members of the MSU community to do the same. This is not the end of the university’s combative stance on truth seekers. This is just the beginning.” The words then poignant, now powerful remind us of the importance of the truth, especially as our world at MSU continues to change beneath our feet.
It’s shattered, but it needed to happen. The MSU community, our community, needs to be ready for what is to come. It’s already not pretty, but it will get ugly. Our newsroom is prepared, but we all need to be ready to ask questions and demand results. Otherwise, what’s happened will fall to the wayside and we will have not fought for change. The Washington Post’s Executive Editor Marty Baron was awarded the Hitchens Prize in November 2016. Since that day, I have lived and led by his words: “The truth is not meant to be hidden. It is not meant to be suppressed. It is not meant to be ignored. It is not meant to be disguised. It is not meant to be manipulated. It is not meant to be falsified. Otherwise, wrongdoing will persist.” This is just the beginning, MSU. We knew it then and we know it now. But, you must know that we, The State News will persist, so others who aim to do harm cannot.
Editorial: MSU, the fire is spreading throughout BY THE STATE NEWS EDITORIAL BOARD FEEDBACK@STATENEWS.COM
The fire’s still burning, MSU. Last week, we warned you. We told you your house was burning. We asked you to take a hard look at your leadership. We asked you to put out the fire, starting with our president. Now, instead of slowly extinguishing the fire, all you’ve done is drench your house in gasoline. In the week since our call for President Lou Anna K. Simon to resign, ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced up to 175 years, on seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Ingham County. The list of those calling for Simon’s resignation grew to include MSU Trustee Mitch Lyons, Michigan legislators, dozens of survivors and Spartans across the nation. The NCAA and the Michigan Attorney General have opened investigations into MSU. Despite this, Simon still sits in her office, fire blazing, declining to comment. It’s only a matter of time before the flames consume her, too. All but
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one of the trustees still stands behind her. Mark Dantonio, Tom Izzo and Suzy Merchant still support their leader. Mark Hollis’ statement Wednesday about the NCAA investigation lacked conviction. Mark, Tom, Suzy and Mark: The world is watching, and you are failing, miserably. Just because you’re revered as some of the most influential people in the college community doesn’t mean you can hide behind your ignorance. There’s no “hope the right person was convicted.” Hey, Tom, he was. And Joel Ferguson, we’ve already established this is more than “just this Nassar thing.” As the most well-known faces of our university, we expected you to acknowledge the horrors that happened, but instead, we were left disappointed and concerned for the future of the university you all claim to love. You sat at press conferences, unprepared to talk about the largest scandal currently facing college athletics. Do better, because time’s up.
MSU is so close to becoming forever associated with the Nassar scandal. In fact, many news outlets are calling this the “largest sexual-abuse scandal” in college sports. We’re so close to being recognized as the college capital of sexual assault, but maybe we already are. For some, MSU is already tainted because of this scandal. Dozens of survivors have said just seeing green and white makes them sick. There are students who feel ashamed to go here and alumni who are ashamed to hang their MSU degrees. It’s hard to be proud of institutional failures. It’s hard to be proud of lackluster, delayed responses and public faces who don’t know the survivors’ names. But let’s get one thing straight — The State News is not against MSU. We are a part of MSU. We don’t want MSU to be defined by this. We want MSU to make things right, to take ownership and to prevent something like this from ever happening again. Maybe we’re stupid for continuing to put our faith in this university. But we want our university back.
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We still have hope, and we know other Spartans feel the same way. We see students and community members painting the Rock on Farm Lane for change, planning protests and wearing teal, with hope MSU will do something, anything, to change for the better. Even survivors have said they still root for MSU.
A year ago, we warned you. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” we said. We asked you to be transparent. We told you it was just the beginning. At this point, MSU, you have a decision to make: Will you own up to mistakes and try to rebuild with the rest of the community, or will you become
At this point, MSU, you have a decision to make: Will you own up to mistakes and try to rebuild with the rest of the community, or will you become nothing more than “Michigan State University, Home of the Larry Nassar Scandal?” The State News Editorial Board
This campus is loved by so many and it’s filled with people who want MSU to move forward. Good things do happen at this university every day. But MSU continues to minimize the issue, and it’s not right. MSU still has time — albeit not much — to change.
nothing more than “Michigan State University, Home of the Larry Nassar Scandal”? Better hurry up and make the right decision, MSU. You don’t want to be forever damned in the fiery inferno. The world is watching, MSU. What are you going to do?
News
“Little girls don’t stay little forever. They grow into strong women that return to destroy your world.” Kyle Stephens
After pressure from Larry Nassar scandal, President Lou Anna K. Simon resigns FROM STAFF REPORTS FEEDBACK@STATENEWS.COM
MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon has officially resigned. In a letter to MSU’s Board of Trustees Wednesday evening, Simon said she has “tried to make it not about me” and urged those who have supported her to understand she cannot make it about her now. “As tragedies are politicized, blame is inevitable,” Simon wrote. “As president, it is only natural that I am the focus of this anger. I understand, and that is why I have limited my personal statements. ... Therefore, I am tendering my resignation as president according to the terms of my employment agreement.” Simon wrote she had planned to retire in December 2016. She also addressed the negative attention focused on MSU as Nassar’s court dates wrap up. “As Nassar’s legal journey to prison was drawing to a close, more and more negative attention was focused on Michigan State University, and on me,” Simon wrote. “I am pleased that statements have been made by
Mr. Fitzgerald and Board members about my integrity and the fact that there is no cover-up.” Simon expressed her support for the decision to ask the Attorney General’s Office to review MSU regarding the events surrounding Nassar, a decision made Jan. 19. “Anyone who knows me knows I am a principled person,” she wrote. “I have spent my entire professional career, more than 40 years, at MSU. I love this place. I have watched it grow and prosper, and it has been the honor and privilege of my life to serve as its president since 2005, and over the last few years, to have the opportunity to work with all of you toward our shared goals for MSU. I will continue to do whatever I can to help MSU prosper in the future as a Spartan in whatever role I may play.” The announcement follows widespread calls for her resignation. The list of those calling for her job included current MSU trustees Mitch Lyons and Dianne Byrum, the Michigan House of Representatives, several state senators, gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer, State House Speaker Tom Leonard, newspapers across the nation and dozens of survivors of Nassar’s sexual abuse. Here is Simon’s full letter to the Trustees:
“Members of the Board of Trustees: The last year and a half has been very difficult for the victims of Larry Nassar, for the university community, and for me personally. To the survivors, I can never say enough that I am so sorry that a trusted, renowned physician was really such an evil, evil person who inflicted such harm under the guise of medical treatment. I know that we all share the same resolve to do whatever it takes to avert such tragedies here and elsewhere. As you and many in the Spartan family know, I planned to retire in December 2016, and we had begun a conversation about a smooth transition. Then the Indianapolis Star article appeared about USAG and one of the victims contacted MSU police to file a complaint. The MSU Police investigation commenced. Nassar’s employment was terminated shortly thereafter. Work began within the HealthTeam and other areas of the university to improve safety. Given the challenges, my transition was postponed. I appreciate the support you provided. The survivors’ accounts are horrific. …”
READ THE FULL LETTER AT STATENEWS.COM.
“To my brothers and sisters around the world, whether you’re reading your statements in a courtroom, or waiting for the right time to share your story, I am here with you. We don’t need to be afraid anymore.” Sasha Zidar Features editor Page 8
BY T H E N U M B E R S
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Letters to the editor The State News received about the MSU administration
Editor’s note: All other articles in this paper went to press before news of Simon’s resignation.
The Rock on Farm Lane reads “Time’s Up. Change Lou Anna.” on Jan. 21. The message had been up since Jan. 18, according to social media reports. PHOTO: ANNIE BARKER
VOL . 108 | NO. 17 CONTACT THE STATE NEWS (517) 295-1680
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Spotlight
The voices of the courageous nation. You did not slow me down, you motivated me to push forward, full force, without you. Today I speak to you because us women, WE are stronger than you ever THOUGHT you were. WE control YOU now. WE, together, will RISE while YOU continue to fall. And WE, we will not stop fighting until you are less than that of what you made us feel, for years. You sit up here and shake your head back and forth because you STILL don’t believe what you did to all of us was wrong and that’s the worst part about this. You abused us and YOU don’t even remember. Sickening. Well, good thing you will have a lifetime in prison to figure it out. That is, if you even make it through, because I don’t think you will. I would now like to address all of the people who made this monster possible, if that’s okay. Lindsey Lemke smiles as Judge Rosemarie Aquilina speaks on the seventh and final day of Ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics Dr. Larry Nassar’s sentencing on Jan. 24 at the Ingham County Circuit Court in Lansing. PHOTO: NIC ANTAYA
LINDSEY LEMKE SURVIVOR
I want to first start out by saying how proud I am of every. single. person. who has used their voice to speak their stories not only this week, but for the last year and a half as well. You all deserve all of the love and support there is to give. You are worthy and you all are worth so much more than what this man has made you feel for the past however many years. You are all an inspiration to me and without all of you; I wouldn’t be standing up here speaking right now. So thank YOU. I would also like to thank you, your Honor, for if it wasn’t for your patience and willingness to let us as survivors come up here to talk, all of these girls would not have been able to use their voice and finally realize that they do indeed have one. You have provided so much comfort and love to us this week, and I, can at least say that I am forever grateful for that. I would now like to address the defendant if that’s okay.
To Larry:
Today I am speaking to you as my ten-yearold self and on behalf of her. So I hope that is who you picture, standing here and looking at you, right now. I have my arm wrapped around her, as I will be the voice to you that I needed to hear 12 years ago. Today, I get to see what my life will be like without you for the first time in 12 years. Today I will finally be free. Larry, to me, you are the WORST type of person. Someone who takes advantage, someone who belittles, someone who controls, some-
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one who took away trust, childhoods, happiness, innocence and someone who even took lives of others. I was abused so many times that I can’t even remember when the first time was; I just know that I was ONLY 10 years old. Because you probably don’t remember, this was me when you slowly but surely - piece by piece - took my childhood away. I had always been mature for my age, but never ready for something of this nature, in fact NO ONE is at any age for what you did to us. Well, here I am Larry. I am 22 years old now and I have had to put myself back together from YOU breaking me piece by piece. I did that, even after what you THOUGHT you did to me, and even though you THOUGHT you had that power over me. In case you were wondering, I was forced to quit gymnastics back in October due to my back pain. Forced. I wonder everyday if you caused my back pain to be worse with your treatments so that way I had to return to your BASEMENT, your BASEMENT, every single Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday night for years. I am overjoyed to tell you how much I have prospered since you last abused me. I have competed for two D1 universities. I have maintained a 3.4 GPA. I have made the B1G academic honor roll. I was named team captain for my senior year by my teammates. I will be working for the Chicago Cubs this summer on an internship. I was selected to be on the MSU Student Athlete Academic Counsel. Most importantly, in December 2018, I will graduate college with my degree in Hospitality Business, where MSU has the number 2 ranked Hospitality Business School in the
To John Geddert:
Since you are too much of a coward to be here in court today and this week, I hope you are watching or listening to me right now. You and Larry carry a lot of similar characteristics - funny. You are a disgrace. You “coached” us, YOUR athletes, who paid YOU, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of dollars - by fear - to control us and to purposely scare us. Well John, YOU are now the one who has failed. Not us. There has been no one to stand up to you until now. You not being in court this week has showed us that we as your athletes who went through your prison that you call an “award winning gym”, were NOTHING to you but a dollar sign. YOU not being present this week shows that YOU are the one who is scared now. Not me. Because I, FINALLY, am no longer afraid of you. My teammates and I spent WAY too many days as innocent children shaking, crying, trembling, some even trying to take their own lives because of you. And the sad part is - you don’t even know that because you could care less about us as people, as opposed to athletes who were your moneymakers. Well similar to what others have told Larry, I will say to you. Those little girls that you treated like OBJECTS and THINGS, are all grown up now and are here to bring you HELL. You talk about an “award winning gym”, well, on behalf of every athlete you’ve ever “coached” AND abused, you are welcome, for your “award winning gym” that without us girls who put up with your crap, for so many years, you wouldn’t even have. I hope your throat burns when you swallow those words “award winning gym”, for you are NOT worthy of that. You are no one to me. You did nothing good for me. You belittled, berated, abused, and took advantage of me. You brainwashed me and so did Larry. I couldn’t speak up for myself for I was seen as disrespectful. I didn’t have a voice, but now, I do. So I hope you’re ready. What a great best friend John was to you Larry, for giving you an ENTIRE world where you were able to abuse so easily. You two sure do have a funny meaning of “friendship”.
“To Kathie Klages, I am so disgusted by you.” Lindsey Lemke
You, John Geddert, also deserve to sit behind bars right next to Larry.
To USAG:
I’m just going to be blunt and start by calling you out for paying athletes millions of dollars to stay quiet about Larry Nassar. Thank you for proving to us why YOU are indeed responsible and NEED to be held accountable. Steve Penny, you are a coward. Resigning from your position to give responsibility to someone else for creating the environment to let this monster THRIVE. You, as in USAG, came to court this week, I’m assuming because you felt like you had to, not because you wanted to. You hid in that back corner, hoping no one would see you or recognize you. Well I hope the way you feel right now, the way you are hiding, being evasive, being cowards, sits with you heavy because that’s how we women feel and some have felt for the past 20+ years. Scared of the public and scared to speak up, just like YOU are right now. Well you better learn to step it up and stop feeling sorry for yourselves. Because for ALL of the women who have been able to speak and share their story, WE are the survivors and I’m here to tell you we don’t feel sorry for ourselves anymore because, we are working on healing. So no, you DON’T deserve to feel sorry for yourselves. I see USAG being praised on social media for their new focus to “better secure their athletes.” You’re already being praised when all you’ve done is talk? That’s disgusting. And what a slap in the face to us. When you personally reach out to each and EVERY SURVIVOR and make it up to every girl and their families, which will never be able to happen, that’s MAYBE when the 100+ women and I will be able to forgive you. But I don’t see that as a possibility. We went through this for years, so I hope that you are ready to spend DECADES trying to make up for what you have done.
And Lastly, Michigan State University:
Shame on you. I went public about my story in January of 2016 and let me tell you I was terrified. I was terrified because of what YOU would do to me. As a full ride athletic scholarship athlete on the gymnastics team, I was worried about what MY consequences would be if YOU realized who I was and went public about my story. How messed up is that? You created the type of environment where victims were afraid to speak up, little did I know, you did this for YEARS. I was afraid my scholarship would be taken that I worked SO, SO hard for. The scholarship that I went through years of abuse by multiple people to get.
To Kathie Klages:
I am so disgusted by you. Women who came to you in 1997 and you told them that they would have consequences for speaking out about Larry. Just the same as you told me, 19 years later that Larry would have negativity brought to his name if I were to speak about my story. Those women waited 19 years for YOU to get what you deserve because YOU silenced them for those NINETEEN years. When the news broke about Larry from Indy
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Star, you wanted YOUR ATHLETES to sign a card to tell this abuser and monster that we were thinking of him and praying for him. You deserved to lose your job. You deserve what is coming to you. And WE deserve to be victorious. You also belong with John and Larry behind bars because YOU KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING and chose to defend him. You are also a coward.
To Lou Anna Simon:
I don’t even know how you are STILL in the position you are in. I don’t know how you can still call yourself a president because I don’t anymore. You are no president of mine as a student and former athlete of MSU. Guess what. You too, are a coward. You say you aren’t responsible for this. I wish you would come up to this podium, and be half as brave as I have had to be this past year and a half. To be brave enough to be a public survivor and a competing athlete of your university who let ME down. To be brave enough to come up here and confidently tell us the reasons why YOU don’t think that YOU are responsible. I loved gymnastics so much, I still wore a Michigan State University leotard for an entire season to compete for your school, while you sat back and denied these accusations and basically called me a liar. Well I’m here to tell YOU Lou Anna Simon, Larry Nassar and Kathie Klages, I had the best and most rewarding year of competition of my 17 years of gymnastics. None of you stopped me, I WON. I defeated all of you. You, Lou Anna, will never be half the person I have been and am today. You will NEVER be as strong. You will NEVER be as brave. Instead, you come to court and sit in the back row after being called out on social media for not being here. When put in front of the cameras you show no emotion. You have no answers. When asked to be here for a survivor’s statement today, you stated that you are “too busy to fit it in your schedule.” Well, Lou Anna Simon, I can ASSURE you, none of us had the time in our schedule for the past 5-20 years for Larry Nassar to abuse us, but we had no choice. Neither did we have the time in our schedule for therapy, tears, stress, anxiety and panic attacks, sleepless nights, or for some, self harm. But we did anyways, because of you and the others who let Larry into our world. Your broad-spectrum emails that are sent to everyone, not specific survivors, that states that you are “sorry” and “working to fix this.” Please stop and save yourself the pity party. Does that seriously make you feel better? We don’t care. It’s too late for your “sorry’s” and trying to “make sure we are safe”. You act innocent. You are hardly a president of any kind, especially of the university in which I still attend and frankly am PROUD to attend because I am too big of a person to let your small minded selves ruin my dream college experience for me. You are trying to manipulate people into thinking that you are innocent when YOU are not. As far as I’m concerned, YOU are just as bad as this monster that has attempted to ruin all of us. But he hasn’t and you won’t either. Larry, I hope you, Lou Anna Simon, Kathie Klages, John Geddert and all of USAG are scared. You have pissed off the wrong army of women.
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All Saints Episcopal Church 800 Abbot Rd. (517) 351-7160 Sun. Worship: 8am, 10am, & 5am Sunday School: 10am www.allsaints-el.org Chabad House of MSU 540 Elizabeth St. (517) 214-0525 Prayer Services: Friday night services followed by traditional Shabbat dinner @ Chabad. www.chabadmsu.com Eastminster Presbyterian Church 1315 Abbot Rd. (517) 337-0893 Classes for All Ages: 9:30am Sun. Worship: 10:30am www.eastminster church.org Greater Lansing Church of Christ 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. (Meet @ University Christian Church) (517) 898-3600 Sun: 8:45am Worship, 10am Bible Class Wed: 1pm, Small group bible study www.greaterlansing coc.org Hillel Jewish Student Center 360 Charles St. (517) 332-1916 Services: Friday night 6pm, dinner @ 7, September–April www.msuhillel.org
The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing 920 S. Harrison Rd. (517) 351-4309 Friday Services: 12:15-12:45 & 1:45-2:15 For prayer times visit www.lansingislam.com/ Martin Luther Chapel 444 Abbot Rd. (517) 332-0778 Sun: 9:30am & 7pm Wed: 9pm Mini-bus pick-up on campus (Fall/Spring) www.martinluther chapel.org The People’s Church, multidenominational 200 W Grand River Ave. (517) 332-6074 Sunday Service: 10:30am with free lunch for students following worship. ThePeoples Church.com River Terrace Church 1509 River Terrace Dr. (517) 351-9059 Sun: 9am & 11:15am www.riverterrace.org
St. John Catholic Church and Student Center 327 M.A.C Ave. (517) 337-9778 Sun: 8am, 10am, Noon, 5pm, 7pm M,W,F: 12:15pm T & Th: 9:15pm www.stjohnmsu.org University Baptist Church 4608 Hagadorn Rd. (517) 351-4144 uinbapt@gmail.com www.baptistel.org Main Service: Sun, 10am University United Methodist Church & MSU Wesley 1120 S. Harrison Rd. (517) 351-7030 Sun: 10:30am Thurs: 8:00pm September–April www.universitychurch home.org WELS Lutheran Campus Ministry 704 Abbot Rd. (517) 580-3744 Sat: 6:30pm msu.edu/~welsluth
Riverview ChurchMSU Venue MSU Union Ballroom, 2nd Floor 49 Abbot Rd. (517) 694-3400 Sun. Worship: 6:30pm www.rivchurch.com
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Spotlight
Voices of the survivors
Rachael Denhollander and her husband, Jacob Denhollander, share a moment on the seventh and final day of Ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s sentencing on Jan. 24 at the Ingham County Circuit Court in Lansing. PHOTO: NIC ANATYA
RACHAEL DENHOLLANDER SURVIVOR I do want to thank you, first, Judge Aquilina, for giving all of us the chance to reclaim our voices. Our voices were taken from us for so long, and I’m grateful beyond what I can express that you have given us the chance to restore them. There are two major purposes in our criminal justice system, your Honor: the pursuit of justice and the protection of the innocent. Neither of these purposes can be met if anything less than the maximum available sentence under the plea agreement is imposed upon Larry for
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517 355 8285
THURSDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 8
his crimes. Not because the federal sentence he acts without my consent or permission. And Larwill already serve is lacking, but because the ry enjoyed it. Larry sought out and took pleasentence rendered today will send a message sure in little girls and women being sexually across this country, a message to every victim injured and violated because he liked it. And as I and so many other women and little girls and a message to every perpetrator. I realize you have many factors to consider were being violated, Larry found sexual satiswhen you fashion your sentence, but I submit faction in our suffering. As we were being sexto you that the pre-eminent question in this ually violated even as very young children, as case as you reach a decision about how best to young as 6 years old, Larry was sexually aroused satisfy the dual aims of this court is the same by our humiliation and our pain. He asked us question that I asked Judge Neff to consider: how it felt because he wanted to know. What How much is a little girl worth? How much is a was done to myself and these other women and little girls and the fact that our sexual violayoung woman worth? Larry is a hardened and determined sexual tion was enjoyed by Larry matters. It demands predator. I know this first-hand. At age 15, when justice and the sentence you impose today will I suffered from chronic back pain, Larry sexu- send a message about how much these precious ally assaulted me repeatedly under the guise women and children are worth. You have seen of medical treatment for nearly a year. He did our pictures, your honor -- moments in time this with my own mother in the room, care- captured when they were young and vulnerafully and perfectly obstructing her view so she ble and violated. I think of the young girl that I was and the litwould not know what he was doing. His ability to gain my trust and the trust of my parents, his tle girls and young women all of these survivors grooming and carefully calculated brazen sexu- were every day. I feel like I see them in the facal assault was the result of deliberate, premedi- es of my two precious daughters. When I watch tated, intentional and methodological patterns my daughters’ eyes light up as they dance to of abuse -- patterns that were rehearsed long The Nutcracker, I remember the little girl that before I walked through Larry’s exam room door I and all of these women used to be. The sparand which continue to be perpetrated I believe kle their eyes must have had as mine did before on a daily basis for 16 more years, until I filed their innocence was taken. I watched my daughthe police report. Larry’s the most dan“And so for a moment, your gerous type of abuser. One who is capable of honor, I, like every woman who’s manipulating his viccome before you, want to take a tims through coldly calmoment to drop that shield.” culated grooming methodologies, presenting the Rachael Denhollander most wholesome, caring external persona as a deliberate means to insure a steady stream of ters love and trust unreservedly and I rememchildren to assault. And while Larry is unlike- ber the long road that it has been to let myself ly to live past his federal sentence, he is not love and be loved without fear. I think of the the only predator out there and this sentence scars that still remain for all of us. One of the worst parts of this entire process will send a message about how seriously abuse was knowing as I began to realize what had hapwill be taken. So, I ask, how much is a little girl worth? How pened to me how many other little girls had been much priority should be placed on communi- left destroyed, too. I was barely 15 when Larry cating that the fullest weight of the law will be began to abuse me and as I lay on the table each used to protect another innocent child from the time and try to reconcile what was happening soul shattering devastation that sexual assault with the man Larry was held out to be, there brings? I submit to you that these children are were three things I was very sure of. First, it was worth everything. Worth every protection the clear to me this was something Larry did regularly. Second, because this was something Larlaw can offer. Worth the maximum sentence. The second aim of this court and our criminal ry did regularly, it was impossible that at least justice system is to pursue justice for the victims some women and girls had not described what that have already been harmed. And this aim was going on to officials at MSU and USAG. I too can only be realized by imposing the maxi- was confident of this. And third, I was confident mum sentence under the plea agreement and in that because people at MSU and USAG had to reaching this decision too, we also must answer be aware of what Larry was doing and had not the question, how much was a little girl worth? stopped him, there could surely be no question How much were these young women worth? about the legitimacy of his treatment. This must This time however, the little girls in question be medical treatment. The problem must be me. And because I had friends who were physiare not potential victims. They are real women and children, real women and little girls who cal therapists who practiced legitimate interhave names and faces and souls. Real women nal pelvic floor techniques, I also knew at 15 and children whose abuse and suffering was that to practice this you must have specialized enjoyed for sexual fulfillment by the defendant. training and certification. Surely anyone who I believe sometimes, your honor, that when had heard that Larry was penetrating little girls we’re embroiled in a legal dispute the words would have demanded to know where he got of our legal system designed to categorize and his training, and if there was any question he classify and instruct can inadvertently sterilize would’ve never been allowed near me. And so, I lay still and on the first two points, the harsh realities of what has taken place. They can serve as a shield against the horror of what I was right. It was something he did often. And we are really discussing. And this must not ever others had described Larry’s treatment before. happen. Because if the truth about what Larry In fact, though I didn’t know it at the time, four has done must be realized to its fullest depth if girls and women had described in detail to three different athletic departments at MSU what he justice is to ever be served. And so for a moment, your honor, I, like every was doing and his penetration and their belief woman who’s come before you, want to take a that they had been sexually assaulted. It was moment to drop that shield. Larry meticulous- reported to Kathie Klages, MSU’s head gymly groomed me for the purpose of exploiting nastics coach, to a track coach and to multiple me for his sexual gain. He penetrated me, he athletic trainers and supervisors years before I groped me, he fondled me. And then he whis- walked into Larry’s door. The rest of her statement can be found pered questions about how it felt. He engaged in degrading and humiliating sex on cnn.com.
“So, I ask, how much is a little girl worth?” Rachael Denhollander
ACROSS
Morgan McCaul makes a statement on the fourth day of ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s sentencing on Jan. 19 at the Ingham County Circuit Court in Lansing. PHOTO: NIC ANTAYA
MORGAN MCCAUL SURVIVOR
W
hen I was just two years old, I witnessed a production of Alice In Wonderland. It was full of dazzling dance numbers which captured my tiny heart, and I knew right then and there, I wanted to be a ballerina when I grew up. And so that’s what I did. I spent my childhood practicing fouette turns and tour jetes, my summers preparing for Cecchetti ballet examinations, and every moment in between dreaming up choreography for a performance of my own. Dance was my life’s passion, my greatest combatant yet my greatest joy. It was my art, and it was my sport. But, it is also the vehicle which drove my unassuming body into Larry Nassar’s office. Larry, when I was just twelve years old, I walked into your office at the Michigan State University Sports Medicine Clinic, in tremendous pain and seeking help to return to the sport that I loved most. I was in the 7th grade, I stood at a towering 4 foot 10, and in you, I saw not only the medical help I so desperately needed after tearing both of my
hip flexors... I saw a physician that I aspired to be. I was your little “goof” and so I looked to you as a role model, hoping to volunteer at MSU Sports Medicine alongside you someday. Do you remember taking me out to lunch after I job-shadowed you at the Clinic? I still have our friendly Facebook messages. In my mind, you were my both my mentor and my friend. And it wasn’t until 2016 that I realized that you molested me. Every shred of admiration I had for you is gone. Every excuse I told my twelve-yearold-self when you were penetrating me is gone. The man I thought I knew did not exist. Only a selfish predator, whose atrocities know no bounds. You violated the very principal of your calling as a former physician: Do. No. Harm. This past year and a half has been, without a doubt, the most difficult and traumatic period of my life. Your betrayal has caused me countless sleepless nights; when I do find sleep, I’m plagued with nightmares and when I wake up, I’m living one. This has ruined my first year at the University of Michigan and robbed me of the college experience every young girl deserves. Most tragic of all is that your crime has shaken my very image of myself... this sentiment has been echoed by hundreds of other women who’ve shared their most pain-
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25. 2018
ful memories with this courtroom. It is perhaps your most vile transgression. But alas, Larry, you are merely a symptom of a sickness which plagues the very core of Michigan State University, threatening every little girl who steps foot on that campus; a culture of sexual abuse and the perverse, deliberate inaction to hold predators accountable. In the aftermath of Nassar’s crimes, calls have been renewed for MSU President, Lou Anna K. Simon, to resign. The fact that she has yet to do so is insulting to the hundreds of survivors like me — it is, in fact, 42 months, countless slanderous public statements by Jason Cody, calls from numerous Congressmen and women, and one one-hundred and fifty thousand dollar slap-in-theface of a raise too late. Since reports of Larry Nassar’s misconduct to Michigan State faculty began in 1997, two years before I was even born, I can’t help but wonder: How many little girls could have been spared from this lifelong battle, if someone at the University had done the bare minimum and listened? Judge Aquilina, I implore you to impose a sentence against this man which sends an unmistakable message to those who perpetrate heinous crimes against young people; whether they molest and maim, or look the other way to protect their Green-And-White. Thank you, your honor.
STAT E NE WS .COM
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1 “That cracks me up!” 5 “__ and the Swan”: Rubens painting 9 Paper Mate product 12 1936 Olympics standout 14 Goes it alone 15 “Te __”: Rihanna song 16 *Golfer’s guide for measuring distances 18 Playful bite 19 House vote 20 Like much store-brand merchandise 21 Contact lens solution brand 22 Soft boot material 24 Winner’s wreath 26 Church seating 28 *Philatelist’s find 31 On __ of: for 34 Family guys 35 Overhead expanse 36 Superhero in an armored suit 38 Place for a hot stone massage 41 “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” novelist 42 Became clear to, with “on” 44 *Hybrid retriever 48 Tough to learn
49 “Finally!” 50 One of his stories is the source of the “sour grapes” idiom 53 Relax in the tub 54 Sonny and Cher, e.g. 57 Sulu portrayer John 60 Kin of net 61 *Winter warming spell 63 Fla. neighbor 64 Athlete’s rep 65 Facebook option 66 Mario Bros. console letters 67 Exercise break 68 Casino conveniences
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1 Georgetown hoopster 2 On the road 3 “These are the reasons” 4 “Go on ... “ 5 Place for a hoop 6 Musk of Tesla Motors 7 Kid’s drawing tablet 8 Pose a question 9 Bakery-café chain 10 “8 Mile” rapper 11 Orange juice specification 13 Customer-drawing sign word 14 Waste conduit 17 Supreme being
21 Road grooves 23 “Miracle on Ice” team, for short 25 Yoga position 26 “Masterpiece” network 27 “There’s a mouse in our house!” 29 Sleep study subject 30 Ewe guy 32 Low-calorie brews 33 Place for big headlines 37 Hooting bird 38 Popular mobile app ... and, as shown by circles, what the inner parts of the answers to starred clues do 39 __ capita 40 Mix in 41 Badlands Natl. Park site 43 Detective’s question 44 Garage container 45 1962 Lawrence portrayer 46 Peruvian pack animals 47 Not skilled in 51 Lux. setting 52 Tofu beans 55 Change for a five 56 Fourth-down play 58 Inflict pain on 59 Is in arrears 61 Cookie container
Level: 1
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Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www. sudoku.org.uk SOLUTION TO TUESDAY’S PUZZLE
Get the solutions at statenews. com/ puzzles
11/29/17
© 2017 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
Voices
“Our words today are simply the start. Today is simply one more page of our story. We live the unabridged version every day.” Sterling Riethman
Column: You are free from your past Every day feels like it was just yesterday. I flinch at the sound of your name. When I see you, chills run up and down my spine, my heart pounding on my chest to escape, this near-death experience pain. BY SASHA ZIDAR I felt like dying, SZIDAR@STATENEWS.COM my whole world FEATURES EDITOR was dying. You slithered in and out of me like a snake choking its prey. The depression and anxiety settled in like a blanket with holes. Life moved with or without me. I was consumed by your twisted spell. I had no exit, I only had one option, to live in your hell. I had a schedule of when and where you’d be, I knew you were always watching me. I could feel your energy ripping through my blood vessels when you entered my atmosphere. You did something to me to show me you loved me. But I didn’t feel butterflies — I felt like my stomach
was being carved out with a dull knife. I was young, and you were supposed to be my friend, my family and my mentor. I should have known you would betray me. But why should I have known? Was I supposed to think gifts and praise were a get out of jail free pass? Was I supposed to think that when I was a “good girl” I would receive love? No. I didn’t know the difference because I was a kid. I didn’t understand the signals because I was developing into a world I did not chose to develop in. What started with innocence ended with an invite to a dinner party and I was on the menu. I was just a kid. My eyes were filled with innocence, I saw no evil. They were blinded by fake love and confusion. You stole my love and ate it for dinner. You feasted on my soul. You watched me squirm, you know who you are and I know you. I look back at that little girl waking up early to avoid you staring at me, a two-by-four resting behind my bedroom door waiting to meet your face. You stole my innocence at such a young age. When I could finally see what was happening, I could barely believe it was real. Then it happened again, and again, and again. My life always felt like a broken record around you, I
heard the same chorus of excuses and explanations for your actions. I was tired of listening, all I wanted was the truth. I told others about what you were up to. I told them I kept track of how many times you did what you did and wrote in my journal. I even told them about my two-by-four waiting to meet your face, but I was preaching to the wrong crowd — they were blind like I once was. I no longer felt courageous or brave, my world fell back to the black and white shade. No one could see what I saw, no one could feel what I felt. They all said, “You’re crazy.” “You made this up.” “You don’t like their personality.” “They would never hurt you.” You would never hurt me? All of you hurt me. You didn’t listen. I was the girl who cried wolf, while dangling outside the wolf’s mouth. Then when the village came running with pitchforks and torches, you’d spit me out and run away. You made me look like a fool. You were a coward hiding behind your power. But I wasn’t the only girl preyed on by the big bad wolf, he found others and hunted them too. When they finally caught you, I felt like it was
a victory. But it broke my heart to know there was no longer a secret, that this pain was real. It was all real. It was a nightmare I lived in for so long, when the truth finally came out, I finally woke up. All my surroundings were different, I was older, I was a woman when I looked in the mirror, I saw years of pain dripping from my face. This hated bond I had with you lives with me, and when I see you I see history. As my life keeps moving, you will always be the Boogie Man who lived under my bed. Your words, your hands, your dark shadows will no longer haunt me. Those memories will die with you. I want no part in your life anymore. I finally get to live mine. Finally, my voice has been heard by the people who care and finally you can’t hurt anyone anymore. To my brothers and sisters around the world, whether you’re reading your statements in a courtroom, or waiting for the right time to share your story, I am here with you. We don’t need to be afraid anymore. You can finally wake up from this nightmare, feel the sunshine on your face and inhale a breath of fresh air. You are not alone anymore. You are a survivor. You are no longer a victim. You are free.
Resources for sexual abuse, crimes National Sexual Assault Hotline
MSU Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline
1-800-656-4673 Available 24 hours every day
517-372-6666 Available 24 hours every day
Women’s Center of Greater Lansing 517-372-9163 Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday, Closed Saturday and Sunday Local center provides services from counseling, group support and workshops to career preparation.
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Sparrow Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program 517-364-3931 Care available 24 hours every day According to the website, “A sexual assault nurse examiner is a registered nurse specially trained to provide care to sexual assault patients. The sexual assault nurse examiner conducts medical forensic examinations and can serve as an expert witness.”
THURSDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 8
MSU Office of Institutional Equity 517-353-3922 Open 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday OIE investigations are separate from MSUPD. Investigations do not require victim participation beyond an interview. Results can end in university sanctions.
Voices
“You violated the very principle of your calling as a former physician: Do. No. Harm.” Morgan McCaul
The courtroom claps after six-time Olympic medal winner Aly Raisman addressed Ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar in her statement on the fourth day of Nassar’s sentencing on Jan. 19 at the Ingham County Circuit Court in Lansing.
Arianna Castillo gives her statement on the sixth day of Ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s sentencing on Jan. 23 at the Ingham County Circuit Court in Lansing. Anna Dayton gives her statement on the sixth day of Ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s sentencing on Jan. 23 at the Ingham County Circuit Court in Lansing.
FACES OF
STRENGTH PHOTOS: NIC ANTAYA
Munn Ice Arena Public Skating Admission:
January Sunday, 01/28: 4:30-6:00 p.m. Tuesday, 01/30: 12:15-1:45 p.m. Wednesday, 01/31: 12:15-1:45 p.m.
February
• $6.00 General Public • $5.00 MSU students, staff or faculty w/ID, and anyone under 18 • $2.00 skate rental • All skaters must pay in Pro Shop prior to taking the ice.
All times are subject to change. Please call 353-4698 to confirm times. Please visit our website: www.munnicearena.com
T H U RS DAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 8
Friday, 02/02: 12:15-1:45 p.m. Sunday, 02/04: 4:30-6:00 p.m. Tuesday, 02/06: 12:15-1:45 p.m. Wednesday, 02/07: 12:15-1:45 p.m. Saturday, 02/10: 8:00-10:00 p.m. Sunday, 02/11: 4:30-6:00 p.m. Monday, 02/12: 12:15-1:45 p.m. Tuesday, 02/13: 12:15-1:45 p.m. Wednesday, 02/14: 12:15-1:45 p.m. Friday, 02/16: 10:00pm-11:30 p.m. Sunday, 02/18: 4:30pm-6:00 p.m. Monday, 02/19: 12:00pm-1:45 p.m. Tuesday, 02/20: 12:15pm-1:45 p.m. Wednesday, 02/21: 12:15pm-1:45 p.m. Thursday, 02/22: 12:15pm-1:45 p.m. Friday, 02/23: 12:15pm-1:45 p.m. Sunday, 02/25: 4:30pm-6:00 p.m. Monday, 02/26: 12:15pm-1:45 p.m. Tuesday, 02/27: 12:15pm-1:45 p.m. Wednesday, 02/28: 12:15pm-1:45 p.m.
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Voices
“We are strong and you are nothing.” Amanda McGeachie
Letters to the editor TO THE VICTIMS OF NASSAR: THERE ARE NO WORDS
TODAY, I AM ASHAMED I WENT TO MSU MARK ADLER CREATIVE ADVERTISING, 2007
JIM BOVE To the 100+ victims of Larry Nassar, There are no words. My stomach has turned, my blood has boiled, and my mind has raced as I’ve tried to comprehend what you have endured. There’s no way I will ever know what it’s like to be in your shoes. I’ve struggled with how to respond and how to support you because I have absolutely no idea how. But I can no longer sit idle as my fellow alumni, along with many others, pour their hearts, nightmares and thoughts into the public’s eye. I graduated from Michigan State University and I’m so embarrassed about my alma mater—in the way it has acted and reacted. But sadly I’m not surprised. On one hand,I want to take everything I own that is green and white and burn it without ever looking in the rearview mirror. On the other hand, those of you who share your stories in court and/ or publicly epitomize exactly what it means to be a true Spartan. I considered making a donation, but to who? I want to make sure this doesn’t happen to anybody else. Ever. No matter the school, organization, sport or activity. But I wouldn’t even know where to start. I thought about writing a letter to the administrators of Michigan State University encouraging them to fire every single person that had anything to do with this. But many of those very people who’d receive the letter appear to be the problem, not the solution. I thought about trying to raise money to go toward a new training facility for the United States Gymnastics team in hopes of tearing down what Nassar helped to build. But it doesn’t appear that leaders there are worthy of it, and many of them were enablers in all of this. I’d be OK with not allowing the MSU Athletics Department to move forward. Period. With any sport. With any coaches. With any student-athletes. I’d be okay with them supporting each student-athlete transfers to a school that’s going to take care of them, nurture them, and be role models for them. But I understand it isn’t everyone that is the problem and I can only hope that each of you continue with your careers and make MSU proud, despite what they have done to you. This isn’t a political issue. This isn’t a college issue. This isn’t a gymnastics issue. This isn’t an Athletics issue. This is a societal issue. And there needs to be a societal solution. So I ask each of you on behalf of almost anyone who has a heart … what can we do to help? What can we do to help you move forward? What can we do to make sure this never happens again at Michigan State University, USA Gymnastics or anywhere else? Please tell us. Because there are simply no words that can do the job. Sincerely, Jim Bove
PRESIDENT SIMON, RESIGN FOR THE VICTIMS TED HALBRITTER LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, 1969 It seems prudent to wait for external investigations regarding Nassar before administrative changes are made. Unfortunately, the buck stops at the top. I would hope President Simon will find those that had knowledge, dismiss them and then resign to show the victims that Michigan State has a modicum of empathy relative to their past and future trauma.
LETTERS TO THE BOARD IGNORED, THANK YOU, STATE NEWS EDITORIAL BOARD
“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?” I’ll never forget when the dean asked me to sing the national anthem at my college commencement. I was so proud. Not just about the prospect my family and friends seeing me sing in front of thousands of people, but because I loved my school, and being chosen to do that felt like a real honor. I don’t feel that way today. I don’t love my school. I don’t feel proud of my school. I don’t feel like defending my school’s reputation. I feel really sick and sad and ashamed and embarrassed. Embarrassed that I spent years donating to MSU. That I went to MSU. That I know MSU. One hundred and fifty girls and young women. Many of whom were under the age of 16. After remaining silent on the issue for a year…and since allegations broke out that 14 (FOURTEEN) MSU officials had been warned over the course of the past, oh, 20 years about Nassar, the MSU board finally released a statement this past Friday. “Through this terrible situation, the university has been perceived as tone deaf, unresponsive and insensitive to the victims. We understand the public’s faith has been shaken. The Board has listened and heard the victims. Today, the Board acted and has asked the Attorney General’s Office to review the facts in this matter, and as information is presented, the Board will act. This can never happen again. As part of the Board’s oversight authority, we will retain independent external assistance to support our responsibilities to the university community and the public at large. We continue to believe President Simon is the right leader for the university and she has our support.” They took no questions. I read these words, and my eyes well up with tears. My fists clench with rage. My heart just hurts. They are not the words of teachers and professors who made a difference in my life. They are the words of legal analysts and publicists. They are the words of people without shame, only a concern of political fallout. They are tone deaf. They are unresponsive. They are insensitive to the victims. I think about the way that doctor betrayed everyone who was in his care. I think about the way my school betrayed them even more by neglecting cry after cry after cry, and I think about the way it continues to betray them with these bullshit words which sound like they were written by committee. Most of us will never know the hell and horror of having our lives destroyed like the more than 150 young women who trusted my school’s doctor before he tortured them—none of whom were believed until last year, some of whom have taken their own lives—but we are all betrayed by those who were informed, allowed it to happen and now refuse to do anything about it. Larry Nassar is a monster. He committed crimes that cannot be relativized or shrugged off as something that “can never happen again.” If any normal person was accused of these crimes, that normal person should want to die. But more importantly, there were people who enabled him. People who are presumably not monsters. People who go home and tuck their kids in and kiss their spouses before going to bed and presumably have no fascination with torturing and raping young women who have been told to trust them. And they are the people who analyze the bottom line and somehow decide that bottom line is not empathy or care or justice. It is not the well-being of young women who trusted them. It is politics. They are the people at the very top. And if they don’t stand up to the most heinous crimes imaginable, no one does. If they don’t support survivors who depend on them, no one does. These are the enablers. They are complicit in rape. And they are responsible for countless lives ruined and, in some instances, lost. If Lou Anna K. Simon stays on as president, it is sends a clear signal. This is not our concern. Today, I am so ashamed that I went to Michigan State University.
SALVATORE CASTRONOVO CIVIL ENGINEERING PHD, 1997 I commend The State News Editorial Board for having the intestinal fortitude to recommend that MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon resign. I have written letters to the MSU Board of Trustees recommending they initiate an investigation. They have not even had the courtesy to respond. 10
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 2 01 8
Ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar is escorted out of the courtroom at the end of the sixth day of his sentencing on Jan. 23 at the Ingham County Circuit Court in Lansing. PHOTO: NIC ANTAYA
A POEM FOR YOUR THOUGHTS KARAN MEHTA SENIOR, BAYLOR UNIVERSITY “IMAGINE SILENCE” Imagine being told that Johnny bought gun And at his expense, students had their fun A girl walks in said I heard him cursing and crying So the principal told her she’s dramatic, stop lying She pleads, I just saw him take the school blueprints But no teachers want to listen to students Next day on campus, he’s looking to kill or die The audacity of the faculty still acting surprised Now they sit back, and think, and realize That this monster was created in front of their eyes They didn’t open those until victims cried This could have been prevented, but they never tried. Now, imagine being a woman, and born with no voice Equality is a revolution, no longer a choice So many strong ladies, who don’t need a dick Especially a forced one, like the prick from US gymnastics Victims whispered for decades, never causing a panic Instead they’re being told, he’s a doctor, it’s organic If just one adult listened, we may’ve avoided the tragic Like a boat with gps but still crashing like Titanic. This is a real issue, problems finally out the cage This isn’t just another headline, or a goFundMe page It’s great that their voices have started traveling fast But the pain always lasts, the futures holding on their past These girls, flexible, but stronger than hell That scumbag going to jail, was saved by the bell These survivors are getting stronger and standing prouder
PRESIDENT SIMON, YOUR TIME IS UP TY STROHL BIG TEN GRADUATE Dear Editor, I, along with thousands of others, continue to be saddened and shocked by the hypocritical nature of the Michigan State University president. As chair of the NCAA Executive Committee, she was completely in favor of the removal of the Penn State leadership as well as the $60M in fines. From NBC News’ Tracy Connor: “As chairwoman of the NCAA’s executive committee, Simon advocated for a multi-tier system of violations that could differentiate among major ethics infractions like those at Penn State during the Sandusky era and less serious infractions. After all, Simon said, ‘nobody’s perfect’.” Ms. Simon, your time is now to stop being a hypocrite and ride off into the sunset. The damage you have inflicted to young women is horrendous beyond words, and you will continue to make MSU a laughingstock until you either resign or are removed.
Voices
“I am outraged that you used your profession and your status to take advantage of me and the many, many young girls year after year.” Emily Meinke
DO NOT GIVE MSU YOUR MONEY
STATE NEWS EDITORIAL BOARD SHOULD RESIGN
GUY SERUMGARD ACCOUNTING, 1999
JAMES CONROY COMMUNICATIONS, 1970
We are worse than Penn State. The response to repeated reports of having a sexual predator on staff would seem to be one of common sense — support the victims and sweep the perpetrator and anyone who has allowed them to prosper out with the trash. And while our administration’s response has ignored this common sense, it’s made infinitely worse by the fact that Penn State laid down the blueprint for what not to do with their response to the Jerry Sandusky scandal. And our administration ignored that blueprint. In supporting President Lou Anna Simon on Jan. 19 morning, Michigan State’s Board of Trustees have embarrassed my alma mater even further, and they’ve guaranteed that none of them will ever receive my vote come election time. This assumes, of course, that they ignore the popular sentiment for all of them to resign with Simon and decide instead to stand for re-election. And as I cannot speak as eloquently or bravely as the survivors have in the courtroom, I will instead make a simple plea to members of the Spartan community: deny them your money. Take whatever you would send in the numerous envelopes they send to alumni every year and instead donate it to RAINN, or Sanctuary for Families, or Safe Horizon, or a local charity dedicated to helping survivors of the type of abuse that Michigan State’s leadership allowed Larry Nassar to perpetrate. The Board of Trustees is clearly hoping that their support for Simon will keep the donations flowing. Let them know that Spartans Will not stand for this.
To the Editorial Board, It is the height of hypocrisy for you to call for President Simon to resign — before YOU resign en masse. Where were you when this was all going on? Where were the Lansing State Journal’s “investigative reporters”? Where was the State Journal’s Editorial Board? Where was the Ingham County Prosecutor? In the game of scapegoating, we believe President Simon is far down the list of those who should resign. I challenge you to step back from your “me too-ism”, and ask what the positive and negative effects will be from the resignation of President Simon. You say that her resignation will allow the victims to “move on”. What medical or psychological or sociological expertise did you employ in making that determination? How will depriving the University of arguably its finest leader ever, help the victims? How will removing her expertise help make certain nothing like this ever happens again? Of equal importance, what will YOU do differently in the future to make certain that The State News keeps the Administration apprised of information within your control? By calling for her resignation, you have taken the easy way out.
A CALL I NEVER EXPECTED TO MAKE: SIMON SHOULD RESIGN ANDREA ZAGATA CRUTCHMER JOURNALISM, 2007 FORMER STATE NEWS DESIGNER Yesterday, I called the President’s office and told the man who answered the phone that I think President Simon should resign. It was not a call I ever expected to make. I am having a crisis of identity, wherein I’m not even sure if it’s OK to be a Spartan. I keep coming back to this — if the President knew, and did nothing, she enabled the evil that is Larry Nassar to run unchecked on our campus. If she didn’t know, well, I think she should have. President Simon — a strong, independent, smart woman — has long been a personal hero of mine. I am prone to looking up to women in power, because I believe they help other women turn the patriarchy on its head. Women in power are supposed to bring balance to this world. They’re supposed to look out for those with less power. I don’t want to imagine a world in which you hear of a Title IX investigation against a doctor on your campus and you don’t personally look into it, President Simon. It’s too awful to bear. You could have been the hero I believed you were. I have always worn my Spartan colors with joy and respect. The university’s missteps throughout this process have made me question that again and again. How many alumni must be out there who are rape survivors? Are they watching how this case plays out and feeling betrayed by the university they love? Before I hung up the phone, I asked the secretary if he had gotten many calls from alumni, requesting the president resign. “Yeah, pretty much all day,” he said. In that light, maybe it’s still OK that I am proud to be a Spartan.
I AM NOT JANE ROE 2 ASHLEY CHRISTENSEN APPAREL AND TEXTILE, 2016 I’ve hid behind the name Jane Roe 2 thinking it would protect me. My name isn’t Jane Roe 2, it’s Ashley Christensen and I have been speaking up about President Simon and her administrations injustices since my assault in 2013. I’m not an olympic athlete and most people haven’t even heard of the major I graduated with. My rapist was expelled, and in 2015 when I was a resident assistant on campus, President Simon and Vice President Maybank allowed my expelled rapist on campus. I begged them to change their decision looking at Maybank while she smirked and I cried the hardest tears that have ever come out of my eyes. At the moment I knew President Simon’s administration did not care about survivors or their voices. President Simon is a threat to the safety of
KATE JACOBSON JOURNALISM, 2012 To Lou Anna K. Simon I’m a Spartan. My entire family is made up of Spartans. I made lifelong friends and memories from my time at MSU, and I wouldn’t trade that time for anything. So to see the news that you knew what happened to those poor girls and you did nothing makes me sick. I am a rape survivor. No one listened to me. I fought for myself and found healing thanks to my MSU friends and the staff at The State News, where I was editor in chief ‘11-’12. Do you know how hard it is to not be believed? To be victimized over and over again, to replay that memory so constantly in your head that it becomes a marker of your life? There was before rape. There was after rape. And, Lou Anna, after rape is the darkest, coldest, saddest place I’ve ever been. You could’ve helped those girls. You could’ve stopped it. You knew. You knew. You did nothing. So I guess this will be a marker for you too. There was before, and now there is after. I hope the memory of turning a blind eye becomes branded into your soul. I hope it never leaves you. I hope you wake up every single day wondering who you are and how on this Earth this happened - just like those girls have to wake up day after day wondering those same damn questions. If we survivors have to bear our scars, I pray to God you feel the sting of the whip too.
The State News reached out to Denise Maybank’s office. She did not return request for comment.
To see all editorials and letters to the editor regarding the current state of MSU, go to statenews.com.
James and Sharon Conroy
LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT: SIMON, RESIGN
the student body. I am so unbelievably proud of all the survivors who have spoken up in the Nassar case. I used to post how many? After each new case I saw about Michigan State. So, President Simon, I want to ask you how many survivors does there have to be in order for you to step down? How Many? Asking for the Attorney General to investigate Nassar’s case isn’t enough. Every single case that has been presented to MSU under your presidency needs to be investigated. Ever y. Single. One. You are not a leader, President Simon, and just like I told Vice President Maybank in her office in 2015, you are a coward. The community needs you gone in order to heal, and we will continue to speak out until you do so.
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QUOTES FROM TWITTER
QUOTES FROM FACEBOOK
“I hope he actually rots in jail. I hope it is the most miserable experience for him, and that won’t even come close to the pain he’s caused those girls and women”
“It's time for some house cleaning and hopefully the day will come when we can all be proud of Michigan State University once more.”
@_HelloMyLove
- Patrick Lombardi “I’m am so so proud of my sweet Abby. She looked a demon in the face today and came out stronger. You are the change this world needs. You are a huge part in this movement. Such a strong beautiful best friend I get to call mine!”
@BriFergusonn
“The unthinkable for me: packing up and forgetting all my MSU crap. Now, it seems like a distinct possibility.”
@DanHogan95 “Yeah, anyone who says Ferguson’s comments are “tone deaf” is downplaying the seriousness. They’re not tone deaf, they’re the epitome of the culture that allowed Nassar to continue to abuse women and girls for years. And this guy, and all other enablers, are still in charge.”
@kristen_slater
“The unwillingness to even investigate or ask the questions is bizarre. #MSU has gone bonkers.”
- Anthony G. Brown
“I welcome this investigation although I am saddened that it is happening at my Alma Mater. If this is what it takes for heads to roll, so be it. Get packing Lou Anna, your train is leaving the station.” - Charlotte Bruce
@YMBBastepaway
“Nassar’s sentencing is over but the issue is far from over. Time to hold authority figures at MSU, USA gymnastics, and Twistars responsible”
“Rot in hell, Nassar.”
“I’m going to guess the NCAA has doubts about “institutional control,” the issue that brought down the AD at Penn State. I get it that one must be cautious when any statement can be construed as evidence of negligence when lawsuits are flying around. Wish our admins and coaches find a better, more empathetic way to express themselves. Right now they sound like they are stonewalling.”
@mbish86
@ atrain0506
“Very sad and angry over “this Nassar thing” comment by MSU Trustee Joel Ferguson. He needs to resign. At least Trustee Mitch Lyons has the integrity to say he will not seek re-election to the board. The swamp must be drained starting with the President of the University and the entire board of Trustees.” - Rob Umstead
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THE STATE N E WS
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