"President Stanley is a distinguished and accomplished higher education leader who had only just begun to leave his mark on Michigan State University. Instances of politicization of public university boards and the tendency to micromanage by some boards are toxic to the good governance of public research universities.
Michigan State University is a great institution, and it deserves to have great leadership. President Stanley's decision to depart under these circumstances is a sad day for Michigan State and an embarrassment to the state of Michigan."