On behalf of Vassar, attorney Martin Shepherd of Mavacy PLLC wrote that the defendants in her lawsuit face more than $25 million in potential damages.

The demand outlines that Vassar believes fellow trustees and the university repeatedly violated MSU board policy to attack her because she is a Black woman.

"The historic significance of her chairmanship - first Black woman in 168 years - has been transformed into a public narrative of forced removal," the demand wrote.

The document was sent out hours before the board held a last minute special meeting on May 17 approving revisions to the board's code of ethics and conduct and a $1 million raise to the university president's salary.

The pre-litigation demand says that if a lawsuit is filed, they will name MSU, the Board of Trustees, Board Chair Brianna Scott, former trustee Dan Kelly in his individual and official capacity, MSU General Counsel Brian Quinn, former trustee Dianne Byrum in her individual capacity and "other persons" who are named in the document.

The demand gave the university until June 17 - 30 days after it was filed - to respond. If the university does not provide a "meaningful" response, Shepherd will file the lawsuit in federal court. That deadline is just five days after the board's next regularly scheduled public meeting on June 12.

"If this turns into litigation, we plan to fight it," Vice President of MSU Communications Emily Guerrant said on Wednesday night.

A pre-litigation demand is a step a plaintiff can take to warn the defendants of future litigation. Guerrant confirmed that the university has not yet been served an intent to sue, the first step for a lawsuit.

Vassar says that she was "attacked" following a 2023 letter sent by Scott alleging misconduct on behalf of Vassar. "No comparable pressure campaign has ever been mounted against any white trustee for governance-related conduct," the pre-litigation demand wrote.

Following the letter, a Washington D.C. based law firm, Miller Chevalier, conducted a third party investigation into the claims. The conclusions of the investigation found Vassar had committed some misconduct, but not all that was alleged in Scott's letter.

The demand referenced multiple instances of alleged unfair discrimination, one of which being an investigation into her allegedly holding up an "inappropriate hand gesture" during a March 2024 Zoom meeting.

Another instance is the public response of five trustees to a State News article published in April, outlining issues Vassar, trustees Mike Balow and Dennis Denno had with Quinn. Vassar says that she has been a "recurring object of this kind of public condemnation by the same board faction since 2023."

Vassar's term started in January 2021.

Vassar did not respond to multiple requests for comment Wednesday night.

Within her list of demands, Vassar requests:

• A rescission of her 2024 censorship and governor referral to be taken off the board.
• Written confirmation from MSU that no internal or external investigation will be initiated against Vassar.
• A jointly drafted public statement from Scott and MSUpresident Kevin Guskiewicz acknowledging Vassar's "ongoing service as a duly elected Trustee and the Board's commitment to neutral application of governance instruments going forward."

Denno was also found guilty of misconduct in the same investigation as Vassar. Denno, Vassar and Scott were all censured as an outcome of the investigation.

The demand went line by line through Scott, Byrum, Kelly, trustee Renee Knake Jefferson and Quinn who have allegedly committed similar violations of the board's policies, but have not been censured or reprimanded in any form.

Vassar also claims the newly revised board's of code and ethics is a "first amendment prior restraint and compelled speech" violation.

The "We Heart Kevin G" campaign quickly spread across campus and social media in the days after.

Pat Gillespie, owner and CEO of the Lansing-based real-estate developer Gillespie Group, decided late Friday afternoon to show gratitude for Guskiewicz after his 27-month tenure. Gillespie Group had 400-plus signs ready for print before the workday finished. By Monday morning, those signs took their place all across campus and the Lansing area.

On the ground, Gillespie Group employees and volunteers planted signs by the Spartan Statue, Cowles House, along Grand River Avenue and other locations across campus. The Rock was also painted in support of Guskiewicz. Overhead, a plane flew over campus with a sign reading the same "We Heart Kevin G" message.

"What really stood out with Kevin was his ability to listen and his ability to communicate," Gillespie said. "He just had a way about him that made you comfortable, and he wanted to listen to what your thoughts were, and he really cared. He was just a real person that wanted to make Michigan State a better place."

Gillespie Group had previously won the contract for the Spartan Gateway District before MSU scrapped the project. Now, the real-estate developer is one of three companies vying for a contract to begin construction for the Spartan Stadium District, a plan for mixed-use hotel, restaurant and student housing development nestled between MSU's athletic facilities along Shaw Lane.

Gillespie said there is no business motive behind the message for Guskiewicz, despite their potential role in future projects.

"Us putting signs up and painting the Rock, it's just a way of saying thanks and that we appreciate the President," Gillespie said. "There's no other motivation other than that."

The campaign comes two weeks after the announcement that Guskiewicz would leave MSU to assume the role of Clemson University's 16th president. It is currently unclear when Guskiewicz will start his term at Clemson.

Guskiewicz is yet to sign an official employment contract with Clemson after the South Carolina school approved the terms of his employment on May 27. Gillespie said he wants Guskiewicz to leave knowing the people loved him, but noted this initiative is not an attempt to bring back MSU's 22nd president.

Guskiewicz left MSU after voicing concerns with the Board of Trustees, pointing to divisions on the board as creating an "unsustainable situation" in a campus wide email sent the day of the announcement.

The Gillespie Group began reaching out on Sunday to large community institutions and state business partners to spread the word. Included in that group were the Izzo Legacy Foundation, the Lansing Chamber of Commerce, the MSU Alumni Association, Choose Lansing and other community stakeholders.

On Monday, organizers launched a website, weheartkevin.com, where supporters can download social media graphics and poster designs, as well as leave personal messages for Guskiewicz.

Unnamed users almost exclusively left positive comments for Guskiewicz.

"I'm so sorry our board has failed you," one user wrote. "My family has had 6 presidents in my brother and (my) 8 consecutive years here at MSU. You were really the one who made a huge impact on our school and student body after some rough years (of) leadership."

"President Guskiewicz, thank you for bringing credibility back to our presidency," another wrote. "You made Spartans believe not only can we aim higher, but we should. Michigan State is a better university because of you. You will be missed."

On Monday morning, the Izzo Legacy Foundation, headed by Lupe Izzo, supported the cause by reposting the message and urging others to join the mission.

The foundation did not organize the campaign, said Marcy Gillespie-Kinze, the executive director of the Izzo Legacy Foundation, but once the positive intent was understood, Lupe and Tom Izzo and the foundation supported it.

"(This is a) challenging time, but it doesn't have to be negative," Gillespie-Kinze said. "Dr. Guskiewicz certainly deserves the support, the positivity and the message of appreciation."

Gillespie-Kinze is not affiliated with the Gillespie Group.

In an email sent to the Izzo Legacy Foundation's approximately 25,000 subscribers, Tom and Lupe Izzo signed an email asking people to show their gratitude for the president and avoid the negative discourse surrounding Guskiewicz and his departure.

"Today, we feel called to support the We 💚 Kevin G campaign because we believe Michigan State needs strong, thoughtful and capable leadership now more than ever," Tom and Lupe Izzo wrote in the email.

The Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety disclosed the incidents under theJeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, which requires universities to publicly list reported criminal offenses and is subject to change as events are reported.

Incidents are distinguished by the date they were reported in crime blotter reports, and this week's reported incidents may include incidents from days prior.

Saturday 5/30

An incident involving obstructing justice occurred near Bogue St. and Grand River Ave. around 8:30 p.m., which MSU DPPS said was a traffic stop due to driving with no license plate.

Sunday 5/31

An incident involving public urination occurred near 1855 Place at 670 S Harrison Road around 3:30 a.m.

Monday 6/1

Damage to property at Ramp 2 occurred around midnight, involving graffiti sprayed on the parking ramp wall, according to MSU DPPS.

Larceny of a scooter from the Duffy Daugherty Football Building was reported to have occurred around 7 a.m. MSU DPPS said that after looking into the incident, the scooter was eventually located and no charges were filed.

Another incident of larceny of a bike was reported to have occurred at 535 N Shaw Lane near the Multicultural Center around 2:40 p.m.

Tuesday 6/2

Burglary involving entering without permission occurred at 1435 Middlevale Rd. near Spartan Village around 6:30 a.m. MSU DPPS said that this incident involved a report of an unsecured door that appeared to have been damaged and opened.

An MSU ordinance violation involving possession of a knife at the Amtrak Station occurred around 6:30 a.m. MSU DPPS said this involved a disruptive CATA passenger who disclosed that they had a knife when asked by police if they had any weapons. The knife was collected by the MSU PD.

An obstruction of police occurred at E Mt. Hope and Farm Lane around 5 p.m., which MSU DPPS identified as a traffic stop in which the subject failed to stop when police sirens and lights were activated. The subject originally failed to stop at a red light and was cited for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

An MSU ordinance violation involving a drone aircraft on campus occurred around 7:20 p.m.

Wednesday 6/3

Larceny of a bike at Owen Hall was reported to have occurred on June 1 around 9 p.m.

Trespassing and theft of a golf cart occurred around 3 p.m near 2231 S Harrison Rd. MSU DPPS said that police located the suspect and the golf cart and that a notice of trespass was issued.

Thursday 6/4

Larceny of a phone from the Veterinary Medical Center was reported to have occurred around 4:30 p.m.

Friday 6/5

Larceny was reported to have occurred at Bailey Hall around 6 p.m.

The East Lansing City Council has moved to amend next fiscal year's budget cuts to the Independent Police Oversight Commission and the Human Rights Commission at its June 2 meeting.

The board will also vote on a $27.7 million expansion to their anaerobic digester and the addition of a renewable natural gas facility.

The meeting will be held at an MSUExtension center in Benton Harbor.

Budget and Tuition

The board is set to vote on the fiscal year 2027 budget, as well as tuition.

The Michigan Legislature has yet to finalize the budget for public universities in the state, meaning that the budget passed by the board will not be informed by funds received from the state.

The agenda's action item is not hyperlinked, unlike other action items on the agenda, meaning it is unclear what changes tuition will be subject to.

During last year's June meeting, the board increased tuition by 4.5%. That tuition hike equated to roughly $798 more per academic year for resident undergraduates.

Renewable natural gas facility

Located off campus, the renewable natural gas facility will be situated next to the current anaerobic digester, which is also set to be expanded.

The expansion of the digester and the addition of the renewable natural gas facility will "double" the capacity of the existing anaerobic digester and will "help meet programmatic goals" for the Dairy Cattle Research and Teaching Center, which was recently constructed about three miles off campus.

The project was approved in December 2025. If passed, the project will be funded through a mix of long-term debt, which will be paid for largely by the project itself. MSU also expects to receive federal tax incentives that could cover up to 40% of the project's eligible costs.

Ahead of the meeting

The meeting comes as the university prepares for a leadership transition following President Kevin Guskiewicz's decision to leave for Clemson University, alongside ongoing disagreements among trustees over recent revisions to the board's code of ethics and conduct.

On the agenda is the routine president's report. MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant said in a statement Tuesday that she does "anticipate" that Guskiewicz will be at the upcoming board meeting.

The last time the board met was during a May 17 special meeting, a last-ditch attempt to retain the president prior to the Clemson announcement.

At the meeting, the board voted to offer Guskiewicz a $1 million dollar raise and extend his contract through 2031. 10 days later, Clemson University voted to welcome Guskiewicz as their next leader. It is currently unclear when Guskiewicz will leave MSU, although he has said he will assume the role of Clemson's president in August.

The MSU board also voted to revise their code of ethics and conduct at the same May 17 meeting, barring trustees from publicly dissenting from majority board decisions in their individual capacities.

Trustees Mike Balow and Rema Vassar have continued to push back against the code, claiming it infringes on their free speech rights, resulting in the revocation of their credentials to the Mackinac Policy Conference. It is unclear if they will face further consequences for not signing and agreeing to the code.

The Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety disclosed the incidents under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, which requires universities to publicly list reported criminal offenses and is subject to change as events are reported. Incidents are distinguished by the date they were reported in crime blotter reports, and this week's reported incidents may include incidents from weeks or even months prior.

MSU DPPS Communications Manager, Nadia Vizueta, reminds students that if they see something concerning or doesn't seem right, say something.

"For non-emergencies, contact MSU Police at (517) 355-2221," Vizueta said. "For emergencies, call or text 911. Please also ensure you have notifications enabled on the SafeMSU app in order to receive any emergency alerts and timely warnings."

Saturday 5/23:

An instance of obstructing justice that occurred at Michigan Ave. and Friendship Cir. was reported.

The incident occurred around 2 p.m. and involved a driver who turned without signaling and was given a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt. After checking the driver's and passenger's identities, the officer realized the passenger was not supposed to have contact with the driver because of a "no contact" bond, but they were together in the same car, according to MSU DPPS.

Sunday 5/24:

An MSU ordinance violation involving the removal of property at Butterfield Hall was reported and occurred around 9:10 a.m. MSU DPPS reported that the individual was arrested for dumpster diving. The University Ordinance prohibits the removal of items from the dumpster, the report added.

Monday 5/25:

An MSU ordinance violation involving tampering with an automobile at Building 1809 of 1855 Place was reported and occurred on 5/24 around 7 p.m.

MSU PD received a call from an individual who said their car windows were rolled down when they looked at their car, but they had been rolled up when they parked earlier, according to MSU DPPS. After investigation, it didn't appear as though anyone took anything from or caused damage to the vehicle.

Tuesday 5/26:

Obstructing police was reported to have occurred at Mt. Hope and Harrison Road around 3:12 a.m. MSU DPPS said this involved a RADAR traffic stop for high speed and that the vehicle continued to travel at high speed after an officer activated emergency lights.

A few hours later around 6:30 a.m., larceny involving a stolen bike at McDonel Hall occurred and was reported.

Later in the day, an MSU ordinance violation involving a drone flying over Spartan Stadium was reported. MSU DPPS reported that MSU Police responded and were able to locate the operator of the drone. The University Ordinance requires people to receive authorization from MSU PD for flying drones over university property, the report added.

A report of a miscellaneous criminal offense at Spartan Stadium appeared on the crime log. MSU DPPS identified it as an erroneous duplicate entry on the Clery log, which has been reported and will be corrected. The incident was logged under the same case number, location and time as the previous report.

Wednesday 5/27:

Wire fraud at the International Center involving an individual being scammed on a third-party app was reported and occurred on 5/25 around 12 p.m.

Burglary with no intent and malicious destruction of property involving a damaged and pried open window at Spartan Village Apartments was reported and occurred around 6 a.m., which police reported could be a possible squatter situation according to MSU DPPS.

Furnishing false information to a police officer and an MSU ordinance violation involving property removal at 325 E Grand River Ave were reported and occurred around 6:45 p.m. MSU DPPS reported that police were dispatched initially for a breaking and entering report, which was discovered to be unfounded as the subject was lawfully allowed to be inside the room.

Thursday 5/28:

Damage to property at the MSU Union was reported and occurred on 5/27 around 5:45 p.m. MSU DPPS reported a damaged door, but it appeared that no valuables were taken and that no suspicious persons were inside.

Larceny involving a stolen bike at 108 E Holmes Rd was reported and occurred on 5/8 around 12 p.m.

Friday 5/29:

An MSU ordinance violation involving an unmanned aircraft or a drone at Lot 79 was reported and occurred around 4 p.m.

Tong, 31, faces felony criminal charges for malicious destruction of a building over $20,000 and operating or maintaining a lab involving methamphetamine.

Tong's attorney, Zhu Shen, made two requests at the probable cause conference at the 54-B District Court just off campus. Tong and his lawyer appeared in court via Zoom in front of Judge Molly Hennessey Greenwalt.

Shen said that he met with Tong at the Ingham County Jail on three separate occasions over the past two weeks and requested that Tong be given a competency exam based on his observations.

"He has difficulty talking with me and he has difficulty understanding what we're saying. And lastly, he often talks about his research projects and scientific ideas for his research and for his case," Shen said. "So that's led me to have a qualified concern about his competence to stand trial."

With no objection, the court said they'd move to order a "scale order for competency evaluation" for Tong and proposed a date for review of the outcome in approximately 90 days.

In addition, without any evidence presented to the court, Shen requested that count one of Tong's charges be dismissed, which accuses him of maintaining or operating a lab involving methamphetamine.

Shen told the court that "over the past five weeks, there was a search on Tong's property and vehicle, and there's no evidence to show Mr. Tong has any effective elements of the methamphetamines."

He argued further that the charge would hurt Tong and his family's reputation both in the U.S. and in China irreparably.

Greenwalt reminded the party that, at the time of the probable cause conference on Friday, no evidence has been introduced to the court and that it has no basis to dismiss the account and soundly denied his request. If the prosecutor,John J.Dewane,moves to amend the charges based on the proof presented before the preliminary examination, the court may consider it.

Tong's preliminary examination is scheduled for September 11.

Campus police responded to a trespassing complaint and made contact with Tong on the fifth floor of Wells Hall on April 26.

Police found multiple bags containing substances involved in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, which Tong was carrying when they arrived at the scene. Court documents also state Tong was carrying an expired student ID when he was confronted.

That week, police also responded to reports of property damage inside Wells Hall, which was "directly related to alleged criminal activity," according to a campus-wide email sent byMSU Department of Police and Public Safety Chief MikeYankowski.

He was arraigned on April 29 and is being held at the Ingham County Jail on a $500,000 cash or surety bond. According to Ingham County Jail Records, the Department of Homeland Security has placed a hold on Tong's bond.

MSU requires all RSO board members to sign off on specific terms and conditions before the RSO becomes an official student group. When renewing their status for this coming school year, MSU's chapter of College Republicans took issue with DEI language under the secretary role description.

A screenshot of the description posted by the group on Xshowed that the secretary "is expected to foster a safe community where diversity, equity and inclusion is embedded in the organization."

In the post, the fully student-led conservative group wrotethat "Michigan State MUST end this ideological brainwashing and allow freedom of thought on this campus."

The same day MSUCR published its list of grievances, which has since been viewed more than 327,000 times, MSU removed all DEI language from the acknowledgment, replacing it with the phrase that the "secretary is expected to foster a safe and inclusive community."

In a statement to The State News, MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant said the university continues to be a welcoming and inclusive community, but the language on the RSO page was unnoticed.

"We appreciate the group bringing to our attention a reference to outdated and overlooked language on a student resource webpage," Guerrant said. "The language was updated and the matter resolved."

MSUCR Chairman Anton Gegaj said DEI is "racist" and has no place at MSU, adding that the student group is "going after the university for anything that we think is DEI-related."

Prominent Michigan politicians chimed in on X offering their support for MSUCR. Republican U.S. House Representative and Michigan gubernatorial candidate John James said the RSO terms and conditions were a violation of students' constitutional rights.

"This is a blatant attack on your 1st Amendment rights which will NOT be tolerated in my administration," James wrote in a social media post on Friday. "This crosses the line from equality and fairness to coercion and extortion. Education officials in this state are unaccountable and UNHINGED. We will take back control of the education system in this state. We CANNOT let them win!"

Gegaj took specific exception with MSU not adhering to Trump administration policies, specifically Executive Order 14151, which directs federal agencies and contractors to eliminate DEI programs and has pressured universities that rely on federal funding to follow suit. Though a federal court temporarily blocked portions of the order in 2025, an appeals court lifted that injunction in February 2026.

"If their excuse for why that information was even on that page in the first place is that it was overlooked and outdated, clearly, they didn't actually intend to follow the federal orders and the Trump administration's direct orders on how you have to handle your university when it comes to DEI," Gegaj said.

This isn't the first time conservative students have challenged the university for its stance on DEI. Conservative students under MSU's Young Americans for Freedom chapter launched aninvestigationfollowingpushbackfrom state Republicans after a TE 101 syllabus was released in October.

YAF has since filed public records requests for course materials relating to the "development, creation, implementation, and execution" of classes they believe push anti-white ideology.

Gegaj and MSUCRsaid they will continue to go after MSU for the use of DEIat the university,despite MSU steadily shifting its tone on DEI following the advent of the second Trump administration.

"We feel that DEI is the biggest thing in the university that the administration tries to secure, despite it being against multiple executive orders," Gegaj said.

In July 2025, MSU removedDEIstatements from hiring; in August 2025, the university axed DEI language from its 2030 strategic plan; and this February, former President KevinGuskiewicz and MSUadministrators were "disappointed" by an essay penned byMSU trustee Rema Vassar, D-Detroit,pushing for MSUto restore its diversity policies, saying it misrepresented the university.

Vassar and fellow trustee Mike Balow, R-Plymouth,held a press conference at the state Capitol Wednesday morning to voice concerns about recently approved revisions to the Board of Trustees' code of ethics and conduct, arguing it restrained freedom of speech for members on the board by barring trustees from publicly dissenting from majority board decisions in their individual capacities.

Behind them stoodroughly 15 MSU students, many of them members of MSUCR, including Gegaj.

Guskiewicz departed for Clemson University last week over concerns of board member division and dysfunction, following the introduction of revisions to the code of ethics and conduct in a last-ditch effort to retain the president. The revisions have garnered criticism amongst experts specializing in free speech and higher education, saying the changes may be "unconstitutional" for their restrictions on free speech.

Over the last few months, Vassar and Balow have published op-eds that publicly criticized the university. Despite coming from opposing sides of the aisle, Balow and Vassar united on concerns that the Board of Trustees was limiting their right to free speech.

MSU YAF chairman Aidan Haas didn't attend the event in person but voiced his support for the pair of trustees pushing back on the board. Haas said he's absolutely against Vassar's Democratic views but noted it's her duty to voice her grievances on the university.

"Just because there's a 'consensus' by five out of the eight members of the board does not make it acceptable at all to silence her speech or to silence what she has to say," Haas said.

This follows Sen. Sylvia Santana's, D-Detroit, May appeal calling for an official recount, alleging that there were errors that occurred during the April 19 Detroit Huntington Place convention.

In a June 2 press release, the MDP Spokesperson Leah Leszczynski wrote, "The appeal regarding this year's endorsement convention was dismissed in accordance with the Committee's appeals process. We thank every candidate who ran for our endorsement. We look forward to coming together to elect Democrats up and down the ballot this November."

Santana ran against incumbents Brianna Scott, who is currently board chair, and Kelly Tebay Zemke for the two open spots on MSU's board of trustees.

In the statement, the MDP shared the final endorsement results from the convention, with Scott earning 38.21% of the vote, Tebay Zemke earning 31.01% and Santana earning 30.78%.

Santana could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.

These totals are different from what Santana's appeal alleged the totals were.

In her appeal, obtained by The State News, Scott received over a third of the vote for endorsement with 38.1%, securing her spot ahead of the November elections. Tebay Zemke, however, received 30.9% of the vote to Santana's 30.8%, winning by a margin of 15 votes.

The 53-page May 2 filing reviewed location data tied to voting devices and found that more than 200 votes were cast remotely, violating party rules. Voters are required to be present at the convention when they cast their votes, according to the Michigan Democratic Party.

Scott and Tebay Zemke will appear on the November ballot as the two Democratic candidates for MSU's Board of Trustees.

Neither Scott nor Tebay Zemke could be reached for comment.

MSU, the University of Michigan and WayneState University's governing boards are currently voted on by the public during statewide elections. Michigan is one of four states in the country to rely on statewide elections instead of recommending candidates to the governor for appointment.

The resolution would have allowed voters in August to change the state's constitution by allowing governors to appoint trustees onto the governing boards of universities.

The resolution failed 54-52 with four representatives abstaining Wednesday afternoon.

Had the resolution passed through the House and Senate with the required two-thirds majority vote, the resolution would have gone to a public vote in the August primary. The last session day for Congress is Thursday.

If passed, the resolution would have dismissed all current members of the governing boards at all three universities. Instead of eight members, the number would have increased to nine, with four spots reserved for each party. One member would be reserved as an independent candidate without party affiliation. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would have been allowed to appoint half of the board's members on Dec. 31 and the next governor to appoint the next half on Jan. 1, 2027.

University boards would also have been directly subject to the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

The resolution was backed by two former Michigan Govs. John Engler, a Republican, and Jim Blanchard, a Democrat.

Last week, Whitmer said the selection process for university governing boards should change following the resignation of MSU president Kevin Guskiewicz.

"The way we've selected board members needs to change. The bipartisan proposal to appoint board members would help ensure institutions have the leadership expertise to get things back on track," Whitmer said in a statement to The State News.

Board Chair Brianna Scott, who is currently running for reelection, said in an interview Friday that "the issue is not how you get on the board, but once you do."

"If somebody comes in with an agenda, they're still gonna be disruptive," Scott said.

At a press conference earlier Wednesday, trustee Rema Vassar said she doesn't "necessarily believe" that the problems amongst MSU's board are "unique" to appointed or elected boards.

"I'm not sure the problems they are thinking they could maybe solve with appointed boards would actually be addressed," Vassar said.