MSU Trustee Candidates Kelly Tebay and Brianna Scott Call on Bill Schuette to Oppose New DeVos Proposal That Undermines On-Campus Sexual Assault Investigations
Today, Democratic Nominees for Michigan State University Trustee Kelly Tebay and Brianna Scott are calling on Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette to publicly oppose the new proposals from U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos that would drastically undermine how universities handle sexual assault investigations.
As reported by the New York Times, “Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is preparing new policies on campus sexual misconduct that would bolster the rights of students accused of assault, harassment or rape” and “reduce liability for institutions of higher education.”
The Detroit Free Press added that the new proposed changes from Betsy DeVos “are leaving sexual assault survivors and victim rights organizations sputtering mad, claiming the moves would tip the playing field toward those accused of sexual assault.”
Kelly Tebay, Candidate for Michigan State University Trustee, stated: “As Michigan’s top law enforcement official, it’s absolutely vital that Bill Schuette speaks out against these dangerous new proposals and pledges to make sure they never get enacted in our state. The proposed changes from Betsy DeVos will decrease the already abysmal reporting requirements, decrease the number of assaults reported, and make the process even more painful for survivors. We already have a long way to go on solving this problem, but these terrible ideas would only pull us further behind.”
Brianna Scott, Candidate for Michigan State University Trustee, stated: “Bill Schuette should weigh in on this matter, to make certain that Betsy Devos can distinguish between criminal law and criminal proceedings with Title IX regulations, which have to do with civil rights. Schools enforce their sexual misconduct policies and codes of conduct. Consequently, schools should work on improving the process for victims to feel safe coming forward and many of these proposed policy changes do more harm than protecting victims’ rights.”
*Please note this press release was originally sent out from Kelly Tebay for MSU.

