Second MSU Trustee Sues Over Speech Code

Michigan State University trustee Michael Balow has sued Board Chair Brianna Scott and board secretary and chief of staff Stefan Fletcher, arguing the board’s revised ethics code unconstitutionally limits trustees’ speech. The code directs trustees to uphold the university’s reputation and support majority decisions, while allowing sanctions for violations; Balow says he was censured and lost access to university events and other resources after refusing to sign an agreement to follow it. He is seeking a court ruling that parts of the code violate the First and 14th Amendments and the restoration of his privileges. Scott defended the code as a way to help the board govern effectively, while Balow and his lawyers say elected trustees must be free to criticize the institution they oversee. The lawsuit follows a separate suit by trustee Rema Vassar over the code and other disputes.