Michigan State University Trustee Mike Balow is refusing to sign a controversial new ethics code passed during an emergency Sunday night meeting, saying he’ll accept sanctions including censure rather than compromise his constitutional oversight dutiess.
- MSU Trustee Mike Balow believes the new ethics code violates First Amendment rights of elected trustees.
- Balow connects the rushed ethics changes to his public criticism of Spartan Ventures transparency.
- Sanctions include potential censure, losing game tickets, bowl game travel and university legal representation.
WATCH: “I WAS PUT HERE TO DO A JOB, NOT BE A FAN”: MSU TRUSTEE BLASTS NEW ETHICS CODE
“I was put here to do a job, not be a fan”: MSU trustee blasts new ethics code
The Plymouth Township Republican spoke exclusively with FOX 47 News about the meeting, where trustees gave just 12 hours notice for a meeting scheduled during Game 7 of the Detroit Pistons-Cleveland Cavaliers NBA playoff series.
A new ethics code, approved by the board 5-3, requires trustees to support majority board decisions, even when they voted against them. It also restricts when trustees can speak publicly about university business.
Balow says the document was “more red ink than black”, essentially a complete rewrite dropped on trustees Wednesday night without the typical committee review process…