Gretchen Whitmer

December 22, 2017

Brian Breslin, Chairman MSU Board of Trustees

Dear Chairman Breslin,

It is with deep regret that I write to urge you and the Board of Trustees to seek and accept the resignation
of President Lou Anna K. Simon. Additionally, as I have previously called for, we need a complete and
thorough independent investigation into the Nassar crimes and all other related offenses. Only then will
the public and our Spartan Nation be convinced that MSU is moving ahead in the best interests of
Nassar’s victims and those who will write the future for MSU.

In my opinion, these actions are in the best interest of the University, its students, faculty, our alumni and
friends, as well as Michigan taxpayers. Having represented East Lansing in the Michigan House of
Representatives and the Michigan State Senate, I feel a special obligation to the people of Michigan and
the friends and supporters of MSU.

Every day we learn more about the scale and magnitude of the abuses that took place at the University
over the course of many many years. That’s why I am now convinced Michigan State University needs to
write a new chapter of compassion, openness, integrity and accountability. We must turn the page on our
current tragic episode of dozens and dozens of young women being assaulted, harmed and abused. This is
not just a court case of damages and financial responsibility. It is a matter of human suffering, the
infliction of lifelong emotional trauma and University indifference.

In my opinion, the Board of Trustees must act. Only with a change of top management can MSU begin to
restore confidence that our great university conducts itself in a manner befitting one of the world's great
public institutions.

President Simon has accomplished many things. However, the excellence and spirit of Michigan State
University is much, much bigger than any one individual or group of individuals. Failing to act now, is an
affront to the thousands of alumni, students, faculty and friends of MSU throughout the world.
I know that the Board of Trustees can take action to restore integrity to our beloved MSU and deliver
justice to Nassar’s victims. To do that though, I believe it requires new leadership at Michigan State
University.
Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Whitmer
B.A., MSU 1993
J.D., MSU College of Law 1998