Trustees Expelled for Speaking Out

Two Michigan State University trustees are barred from the prestigious Mackinac Policy Conference after refusing to sign a new ethics code they say stifles their oversight role. Trustee Mike Balow accuses the university of retaliation, citing the code’s timing and its impact on free speech — essential for trustees elected to serve the public interest. Despite being excluded, Balow plans to attend at his own expense to keep engaging in vital off-the-record conversations. He warns that MSU is losing critical networking and policy dialogue, and that this move signals a broader trend of increasing restrictions. With bipartisan trustees affected, Balow is preparing legal action, insisting he won’t compromise his duty to ask tough questions — even if it means facing consequences. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/ce4ff1e0caa5031c