{"id":72198,"date":"2026-02-02T17:18:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T22:18:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/?p=72198"},"modified":"2026-02-02T18:48:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T23:48:20","slug":"opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Opinion | MSU must return what they took \u2014 and add more"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On January 21, the Trump administration dropped its legal appeal of a federal court ruling that found its anti-DEI guidance unconstitutional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The legal uncertainty that universities claimed justified their actions for the systemic dismantling of equity programs? Gone. The pending litigation they pointed to as requiring caution? Abandoned. The federal threat they used to justify cuts? Ruled unconstitutional.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"headshot
Rema Vassar is a professor of educational leadership at Wayne State University and serves on the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. These views are her own. (Courtesy photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There is now zero legal justification\u2014not even the pretense of pending litigation\u2014for Michigan State University’s actions. Yet MSU continues operating as if the Trump administration\u2019s unconstitutional orders carry force of law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s time for MSU to reinstate everything it destroyed. And then do more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The legal case is closed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

US District Judge Stephanie Gallagher’s ruling was unambiguous: The Trump administration’s anti-DEI guidance “stifled teachers’ free speech, causing millions of educators to reasonably fear that their lawful, and even beneficial, speech might cause them or their schools to be punished.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the Education Department dropped its appeal last month, Democracy Forward \u2014 representing the American Federation of Teachers \u2014 called it “a meaningful win for public education.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MSU now stands exposed: Every decision to dismantle equity infrastructure was a choice, not a legal requirement. And that choice was made not just without legal justification, but in defiance of constitutional protections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MSU began before Trump, continues after court victory<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When Trump issued executive orders in January 2025, federal courts quickly blocked enforcement. However, MSU still stripped the Council of Racial and Ethnic Students (CORES) of its departmental organization status. CORES, established in 1990, lost its office space, direct advising and funding to support Black, Latinx, Native American and Asian American student organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After courts ruled Trump\u2019s orders unconstitutional in August, the university eliminated the position of vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion<\/a>; scrubbed websites of “exclusionary” language;<\/a> removed presidents\u2019 statements supporting diversity; altered its strategic plan to delete equity commitments; and created a “Civil Rights Compliance” document that prohibits language like “increasing diversity” and references to “underrepresented” or “historically marginalized” groups \u2014 none of which has ever been legally banned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MSU’s vice president for student affairs sent letters claiming “state and federal anti-discrimination laws” required these changes, without specifying which laws. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when Trump abandoned his legal appeal in January, MSU remained silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The students MSU abandoned<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While MSU dismantled support systems, the students who most needed them faced escalating violence. Anti-Black violence has plagued MSU for years: nooses in the school store and on a student\u2019s door, racial slurs painted across campus buildings, persistent hateful language students encounter simply attending classes. The Black Students’ Alliance (BSA) challenged MSU’s claims that “Hate Doesn’t Have a Home Here” with its own campaign: “Hate Has a Home Here.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

BSA compiled student reports detailing harassment and discrimination, and presented documentation to institutional leaders.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MSU’s response? Decreased backing. CORES groups that once accessed $100,000 now compete for $4,500. Students received an ultimatum: Dilute organizational language to focus solely on celebration or lose campus recognition, including advisers and supporting structures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MSU chose the moment when students faced documented racial violence to strip programs designed to address such crises, and students now navigate campus hostility with minimal institutional backing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What MSU must do now<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration’s capitulation removes any remaining excuses. MSU must act immediately to reverse every decision made under the false pretense of legal compliance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • The university must issue a formal statement acknowledging that dismantling equity programs was a policy choice, not a legal requirement, and apologize to students who faced hostility during this time with reduced institutional backing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • MSU must restore CORES\u2019 $100,000 annual allocation at minimum, and return CORES’ office space, direct advising and organizational infrastructure. Cultural organizations must be allowed to host their own events without administrative control. Given the year of abandonment, CORES deserves increased funding of $150,000 annually to account for unmet needs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • MSU must restore the position of vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the cabinet level with appropriate budget and authority. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • MSU must eliminate false compliance requirements. It must rescind the “Civil Rights Compliance” document prohibiting language about diversity, underrepresentation and marginalized groups. In addition, presidential statements supporting diversity, strategic plan commitments to equity and all the content scrubbed from its website to avoid imaginary legal liability must be restored.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Finally, MSU must establish rapid response protocols that address racist incidents with transparency, accountability, and student input. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    What Michigan leaders must demand<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    MSU receives taxpayer funding with the expectation it will serve all Michigan students. When the university makes policy decisions that harm some groups of students, then lies about legal requirements in order to avoid accountability, state leaders must intervene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Ask MSU to publicly identify which laws required the changes it made and explain why it continued dismantling programs after courts ruled federal guidance unconstitutional Condition future funding on restoring equity programs and demonstrating how it will address documented racial harassment. Request that the MSU Board of Trustees explain why university administrators were allowed to dismantle programs using false legal justifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The larger implications<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    MSU is not alone. Universities across Michigan and the nation made similar decisions, citing the same false legal pressures. They now face the same question: Will you reverse course, or will you reveal that equity was always expendable?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For institutions that have demonstrated their priorities \u2014 political convenience over student welfare, institutional comfort over constitutional obligations \u2014 this moment demands more than restoration. It demands transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Moving forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The one-year anniversary of Trump’s executive orders arrives in days. Trump, however, gave up his legal fight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The legal case is closed. The moral case was always clear. Now the question is simple: Will MSU choose courage, or will it continue choosing convenience?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The university has no excuses left. Michigan taxpayers deserve to know their institutions continue operating as if unconstitutional orders still apply.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    There is now zero legal justification \u2014 not even the pretense of pending litigation \u2014 for Michigan State University to dismantle equity programs. Yet MSU continues operating as if the Trump administration\u2019s unconstitutional orders carry force of law.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1966,"featured_media":72207,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":true,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","inline_featured_image":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"2026-02-02T22:18:18Z","apple_news_api_id":"af6d0416-4dce-4522-a0c7-00dee5cbcda6","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2026-02-02T23:48:25Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABw==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/Ar20EFk3ORSKgxwDe5cvNpg","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"hidden","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[2442],"tags":[51,1546],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"coauthors":[4451],"class_list":["post-72198","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guest-commentary","tag-michigan-colleges-and-universities","tag-michigan-school-opinions","entry"],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nOpinion | MSU must return what they took \u2014 and add more - Bridge Michigan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Opinion | MSU must return what they took \u2014 and add more - Bridge Michigan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"There is now zero legal justification \u2014 not even the pretense of pending litigation \u2014 for Michigan State University to dismantle equity programs. Yet MSU continues operating as if the Trump administration\u2019s unconstitutional orders carry force of law.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bridge Michigan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BridgeMichigan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-02T22:18:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-02T23:48:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"448\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"299\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Rema Vassar\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@bridgemichigan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@bridgemichigan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Rema Vassar\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Rema Vassar\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/157c453de27bff0e74de87db3fdae0f8\"},\"headline\":\"Opinion | MSU must return what they took \u2014 and add more\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-02T22:18:14+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-02T23:48:20+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/\"},\"wordCount\":1012,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg?fit=448%2C299&ssl=1\",\"keywords\":[\"Michigan colleges and universities\",\"Michigan school opinions\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Guest Commentary\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/\",\"name\":\"Opinion | MSU must return what they took \u2014 and add more - Bridge Michigan\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg?fit=448%2C299&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-02T22:18:14+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-02T23:48:20+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg?fit=448%2C299&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg?fit=448%2C299&ssl=1\",\"width\":448,\"height\":299,\"caption\":\"Rema Vassar is a professor of educational leadership at Wayne State University and serves on the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. These views are her own. (Courtesy photo)\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Opinion | MSU must return what they took \u2014 and add more\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/\",\"name\":\"Bridge Michigan\",\"description\":\"Michigan\u2019s nonpartisan, nonprofit news source\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Bridge Michigan\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-500.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-500.svg\",\"width\":500,\"height\":188,\"caption\":\"Bridge Michigan\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BridgeMichigan\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/bridgemichigan\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bridge.michigan\",\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/bridgemi.com\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@bridge.michigan\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/157c453de27bff0e74de87db3fdae0f8\",\"name\":\"Rema Vassar\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/572b5085b53dd5fc46532225c0190b2d\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/635c614653988968a7f9b9023cfa474ad9f999bf67154404541437f63b58d35e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/635c614653988968a7f9b9023cfa474ad9f999bf67154404541437f63b58d35e?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Rema Vassar\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/author\/rema-vassar\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Opinion | MSU must return what they took \u2014 and add more - Bridge Michigan","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Opinion | MSU must return what they took \u2014 and add more - Bridge Michigan","og_description":"There is now zero legal justification \u2014 not even the pretense of pending litigation \u2014 for Michigan State University to dismantle equity programs. Yet MSU continues operating as if the Trump administration\u2019s unconstitutional orders carry force of law.","og_url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/","og_site_name":"Bridge Michigan","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BridgeMichigan\/","article_published_time":"2026-02-02T22:18:14+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-02-02T23:48:20+00:00","og_image":[{"width":448,"height":299,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Rema Vassar","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@bridgemichigan","twitter_site":"@bridgemichigan","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Rema Vassar","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/"},"author":{"name":"Rema Vassar","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/157c453de27bff0e74de87db3fdae0f8"},"headline":"Opinion | MSU must return what they took \u2014 and add more","datePublished":"2026-02-02T22:18:14+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-02T23:48:20+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/"},"wordCount":1012,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg?fit=448%2C299&ssl=1","keywords":["Michigan colleges and universities","Michigan school opinions"],"articleSection":["Guest Commentary"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/","url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/","name":"Opinion | MSU must return what they took \u2014 and add more - Bridge Michigan","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg?fit=448%2C299&ssl=1","datePublished":"2026-02-02T22:18:14+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-02T23:48:20+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg?fit=448%2C299&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg?fit=448%2C299&ssl=1","width":448,"height":299,"caption":"Rema Vassar is a professor of educational leadership at Wayne State University and serves on the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. These views are her own. (Courtesy photo)"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Opinion | MSU must return what they took \u2014 and add more"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/","name":"Bridge Michigan","description":"Michigan\u2019s nonpartisan, nonprofit news source","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#organization","name":"Bridge Michigan","url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-500.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-500.svg","width":500,"height":188,"caption":"Bridge Michigan"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BridgeMichigan\/","https:\/\/x.com\/bridgemichigan","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bridge.michigan","https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/bridgemi.com","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@bridge.michigan"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/157c453de27bff0e74de87db3fdae0f8","name":"Rema Vassar","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/572b5085b53dd5fc46532225c0190b2d","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/635c614653988968a7f9b9023cfa474ad9f999bf67154404541437f63b58d35e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/635c614653988968a7f9b9023cfa474ad9f999bf67154404541437f63b58d35e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Rema Vassar"},"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/author\/rema-vassar\/"}]}},"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Opinion | MSU must return what they took \u2014 and add more","url":"http:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/bridgemi.com\/guest-commentary\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg?fit=448%2C299&ssl=1"},"articleSection":"Guest Commentary","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Rema Vassar"}],"creator":["Rema Vassar"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Bridge Michigan","logo":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-500.svg"},"keywords":["michigan colleges and universities","michigan school opinions"],"dateCreated":"2026-02-02T22:18:14Z","datePublished":"2026-02-02T22:18:14Z","dateModified":"2026-02-02T23:48:20Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Opinion | MSU must return what they took \\u2014 and add more\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/bridgemi.com\\\/guest-commentary\\\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/bridgemi.com\\\/guest-commentary\\\/opinion-msu-must-return-what-they-took-and-add-more\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/bridgemi.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/bridgemi.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg?fit=448%2C299&ssl=1\"},\"articleSection\":\"Guest Commentary\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Rema Vassar\"}],\"creator\":[\"Rema Vassar\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Bridge Michigan\",\"logo\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bridgemi.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/logo-500.svg\"},\"keywords\":[\"michigan colleges and universities\",\"michigan school opinions\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2026-02-02T22:18:14Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-02T22:18:14Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-02T23:48:20Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/bridgemi.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2005_rima-1-e1770072248486.jpg?fit=448%2C299&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":406,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/msu-cancels-dei-event-following-trump-order-threat-investigate\/","url_meta":{"origin":72198,"position":0},"title":"MSU cancels DEI event following Trump order, threat to investigate","author":"Ron French","date":"January 27, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"An executive order last week opened the door for investigations into both MSU and U-M over their diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Universities are walking a tightrope for fear of losing federal funding.","rel":"","context":"In "Talent & Education"","block_context":{"text":"Talent & Education","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/talent-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Michigan State University (MSU) college campus entrance","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MSU-Shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MSU-Shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MSU-Shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MSU-Shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MSU-Shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":62999,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/msu-eyes-85-million-cuts-fewer-staff-over-federal-funding-reductions\/","url_meta":{"origin":72198,"position":1},"title":"MSU eyes $85 million in cuts, fewer staff over federal funding reductions","author":"Ron French","date":"May 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Michigan State University tells departments to cut 9% and prepare for the possibility of eliminating low-enrollment student academic programs.","rel":"","context":"In "Talent & Education"","block_context":{"text":"Talent & Education","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/talent-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Beaumont Tower, symbol of Michigan State University, in early spring. Blue cloudless sky, pink cherries about to bloom.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/MSU-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/MSU-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/MSU-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/MSU-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/MSU-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":374,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/msu-apologizes-canceling-chinese-student-event-after-trump-order\/","url_meta":{"origin":72198,"position":2},"title":"MSU apologizes for canceling Chinese student event after Trump order","author":"Ron French","date":"February 5, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The university now says the decision to cancel a Chinese New Year lunch for students was an \u2018overreaction.\u2019 It has been rescheduled.","rel":"","context":"In "Talent & Education"","block_context":{"text":"Talent & Education","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/talent-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Michigan State University\u2019s sign at its campus in East Lansing, Michigan","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/MSU-Shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/MSU-Shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/MSU-Shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/MSU-Shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/MSU-Shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":395,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/amid-fears-trump-dei-orders-msu-cancels-chinese-new-year-student-lunch\/","url_meta":{"origin":72198,"position":3},"title":"Amid fears of Trump DEI orders, MSU cancels Chinese New Year student lunch","author":"Ron French","date":"January 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"International students at Michigan State University are worried about the anti-immigrant messages coming from Washington.","rel":"","context":"In "Talent & Education"","block_context":{"text":"Talent & Education","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/talent-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A red Lunar New Year poster for an event at Michigan State University.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/lunar_0.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/lunar_0.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/lunar_0.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/lunar_0.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/lunar_0.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":286,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/talent-education\/facing-deadline-end-dei-michigan-schools-ask-crucial-question-what-dei\/","url_meta":{"origin":72198,"position":4},"title":"Facing deadline to end DEI, Michigan schools ask crucial question: What is DEI?","author":"Isabel Lohman","date":"February 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"What is DEI? Leaders say it depends who you ask. But federal funding to schools could be on the line.","rel":"","context":"In "Talent & Education"","block_context":{"text":"Talent & Education","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/talent-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A collage of info about DEI in Michigan schools.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/DEI_k-12schools_11zon-scaled.png?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/DEI_k-12schools_11zon-scaled.png?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/DEI_k-12schools_11zon-scaled.png?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/DEI_k-12schools_11zon-scaled.png?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/DEI_k-12schools_11zon-scaled.png?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":359,"url":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/michigan-health-watch\/michigan-universities-would-lose-millions-if-trump-caps-research-costs\/","url_meta":{"origin":72198,"position":5},"title":"Michigan universities would lose millions if Trump caps research costs","author":"Ron French","date":"February 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In a move temporarily suspended by a judge, National Institutes of Health is attempting to limit administrative fees of grants. Trump officials say that brings costs in line with the private sector. Researchers say the move could cost Michigan universities and hospitals hundreds of millions of dollars and stymie research.","rel":"","context":"In "Michigan Health Watch"","block_context":{"text":"Michigan Health Watch","link":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/category\/michigan-health-watch\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A sign for the University of Michigan.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/university-of-michigan-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/university-of-michigan-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/university-of-michigan-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/university-of-michigan-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bridgemi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/university-of-michigan-shutterstock.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72198","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1966"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72198"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72198\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72230,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72198\/revisions\/72230"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72198"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72198"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72198"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=72198"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bridgemi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=72198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}