Mark Schlissel has been removed as president of the University of Michigan due to an alleged “inappropriate relationship with a university employee,” the school said Saturday on its website.
The employee wrote in a July 1, 2021, exchange that her “heart hurts,” according to the board which said Schlissel responded: “I know. mine too.” He continued: ”This is my fault” and that he was “in pain too.”
The board also wrote that on Jan. 9, 2021, the subordinate employee said, “Oh yes!” in an email to Schlissel. His response was “love it when you say that.” Copies of emails with the name of the recipient’s name redacted were included in Saturday’s announcement on the school’s website. One dated Jan. 12 was about an August 2019 article from The New Yorker titled “Sexual Fantasies of Everyday New Yorkers.” in June 2023, a year before his contract was to expire.
Former University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman has been appointed interim president. Schlissel’s removal and Coleman’s appointment will be affirmed during the board’s Feb. 17 formal session.Copyright AP - Associated Press