Low-profile administrator replaces Engler at Michigan State

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University ousted its interim president on Thursday, a week ahead of his scheduled departure, as the school stepped up efforts to finally move beyond the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal. “We can’t continue to operate the way we have been for the past two years,” Udpa said a day after the board of trustees forced Engler to step down over his comments that some victims of the imprisoned former campus sports doctor had been “enjoying” the publicity. In temporarily handing leadership to a career academic, Friedman said, the board is rightly looking to make sure the situation “doesn’t get any worse.” But it must “nail” the choice of a permanent president, he said, with someone who will bring “real soul to the university and on this crisis in particular.” The trustees, including new members who helped to force him out, expressed hope going forward. “I believe this is the beginning of a better relationship both among board members and to the MSU community as we continue the healing and pay respects to the survivors,” said chairwoman Dianne Byrum, who pointed to improved efforts to prevent on-campus sexual misconduct and relationship violence and better care for and protect patients in the wake of Nassar’s assaults. MSU associate professor Andaluna Borcila, who teaches comparative cultures and politics and called the board’s decision to hire Engler a “big mistake,” said she only has heard good things about Udpa and hopes he can fill the gap until a longer-term leader is found from outside the university.