Vassar called the action premature and over the top
Michigan State University (MSU) has been rocked by a series of ethical scandals involving its Board of Trustees. The latest development is the resignation of MSU Chair Rema Vassar, who was facing calls to step down amid an investigation into trustee misconduct. According to reports, Vassar called the action premature and over the top. Meanwhile, a report by an independent law firm has blamed Vassar and two other trustees for violations of MSU's ethics policies and bylaws.
Independent report blames Vassar, Denno, and Scott of wrongdoing
Vassar called the action premature and over the top
Accuracy
Board discussed an outside law firm's report recommending penalties against Vassar and trustees Dennis Denno and Brianna Scott for violations of MSU ethics policies and bylaws
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that Rema Vassar has resigned as MSU chair due to an outside law firm's report recommending penalties against her and other trustees for violations of ethics policies and bylaws. However, this statement is misleading because it implies that Vassar was found guilty of wrongdoing when in fact the investigation into her actions has not yet been completed. Secondly, the article quotes a letter from Rema Vassar where she states that she intends to stay on the board as a trustee and continues to advocate for marginalized students. This statement contradicts earlier reports stating that Vassar had resigned from her position as chairperson of MSU's Board of Trustees. Lastly, the article quotes an independent report blaming Rema Vassar, Dennis Denno, and Brianna Scott for wrongdoing without providing any evidence to support these claims.
Rema Vassar's statement that she intends to stay on the board as a trustee and continues to advocate for marginalized students contradicts earlier reports stating that she had resigned from her position as chairperson of MSU's Board of Trustees.
The statement that Rema Vassar has resigned as MSU chair due to an outside law firm's report recommending penalties against her is misleading because it implies that she was found guilty of wrongdoing when in fact the investigation into her actions has not yet been completed.
Fallacies
(80%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the report from a law firm without providing any context or evidence for their findings. They also use inflammatory rhetoric when describing Vassar's actions as 'violations of MSU ethics policies and bylaws'. Additionally, there are several instances where the author uses dichotomous depictions to describe the situation, such as saying that Vassar is an advocate for marginalized individuals while also stating that she acted outside her authority. Finally, there is a lack of clarity in some parts of the article regarding what exactly constitutes 'violations' and how they were determined.
The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the report from a law firm without providing any context or evidence for their findings.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of bias in the form of language used to describe Rema Vassar and her actions. The author uses words like 'marginalized', 'victimized', and 'ignored' to paint a picture of Vassar as an advocate for those who are oppressed, which may not be entirely accurate or fair. Additionally, the article mentions that Vassar was first elected to the board in 2020 and her term ends at the finish of 2028, implying that she is a relatively new member of the board and therefore less experienced than other trustees. This could be seen as an attempt to discredit her or undermine her authority.
The article mentions that Vassar was first elected to the board in 2020 and her term ends at the finish of 2028, implying that she is a relatively new member of the board and therefore less experienced than other trustees. This could be seen as an attempt to discredit her or undermine her authority.
The author uses words like 'marginalized', 'victimized', and 'ignored' to paint a picture of Vassar as an advocate for those who are oppressed, which may not be entirely accurate or fair.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of MSU Trustee misconduct as they are reporting on an investigation into it. The article does not disclose any other conflicts of interest.
The future of two Michigan State University trustees now rests with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Trustees voted 6-2 to censure and refer misconduct allegations against former Chair Rema Vassar and Trustee Dennis Denno under a Michigan law that allows the governor to remove elected officials.
Vassar teared up as she thanked the Black Student Alliance and the NAACP for their continued support.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author does not disclose their sources or provide any evidence to support their claims about the misconduct allegations against Rema Vassar and Dennis Denno. Secondly, the article uses sensationalist language such as 'misconduct' and 'censure', which creates a false sense of urgency without providing any context for what exactly is being alleged. Thirdly, the author quotes only one source (Rema Vassar) who disputes the findings of an investigation report that recommended her removal from office. This selective reporting creates a biased view and ignores other perspectives on the matter.
The article uses sensationalist language such as 'misconduct' and 'censure', which creates a false sense of urgency without providing any context for what exactly is being alleged.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when the author cites a report without providing any context or evidence for its validity. This creates a false sense of credibility and can be misleading to readers who do not have access to additional information about the report's methodology or potential biases. Additionally, there are several instances where inflammatory rhetoric is used, such as when Vassar says that African Americans and women are often held to a higher standard than others. This type of language can be divisive and polarizing, potentially leading readers to form strong opinions without fully understanding the issue at hand.
The article cites a report by Miller Chevalier as evidence for its claims about misconduct allegations against Vassar and Denno. However, no context or methodology is provided for this report.
Vassar uses inflammatory rhetoric when she says that African Americans and women are often held to a higher standard than others.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of ideological bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes and demonizes the actions of Rema Vassar and Dennis Denno by referring to them as 'misconduct allegations' rather than simply stating what they are accused of. This is an example of using loaded language to create a negative impression.
The future of two Michigan State University trustees now rests with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The Lansing State Journal has a conflict of interest on the topic of Michigan State University (MSU) as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is mentioned in the article and may have an impact on MSU trustees Rema Vassar and Dennis Denno.
Michigan State University Board of Trustees Chair Rema Vassar is stepping down from her position.
Trustee Brianna Scott called for Vassar to resign in an October letter, alleging bylaw and code of ethics violations.
The university hired Washington D.C.-based law firm Miller & Chevalier to investigate the alleged violations.
Accuracy
Rema Vassar resigned as MSU chair
Independent report blames Vassar, Denno, and Scott of wrongdoing
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses sensationalism by stating that Vassar is facing calls to resign or be replaced over allegations made by fellow Trustee Brianna Scott without providing any context on what these allegations are. Secondly, the author selectively reports details of an ethics investigation and only mentions three individuals involved in it, which could give readers a biased view of the situation. Lastly, the article uses emotion manipulation by including quotes from Vassar stating that the allegations against her are fabrications and untruths.
The author sensationalizes the situation by stating that Vassar is facing calls to resign or be replaced over allegations made by fellow Trustee Brianna Scott without providing any context on what these allegations are. This is an example of selective reporting and emotional manipulation.
The article only mentions three individuals involved in an ethics investigation, which could give readers a biased view of the situation. This is an example of sensationalism and selective reporting.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that a law firm was hired to investigate and recommending actions without providing any evidence of their expertise or qualifications. Secondly, the author presents dichotomous depiction when they state that Vassar's allegations are fabrications while Scott's are not provided with any context for this claim. Lastly, the article contains inflammatory rhetoric by stating that Vassar acted beyond her authority and made decisions without prior communication with the board.
The author uses an appeal to authority when they state that a law firm was hired to investigate and recommending actions without providing any evidence of their expertise or qualifications. For example, 'The university then hired Washington D.C.-based law firm Miller & Chevalier to investigate.'
The author presents dichotomous depiction when they state that Vassar's allegations are fabrications while Scott's are not provided with any context for this claim. For instance, 'Trustee Brianna Scott, called for Vassar to resign in an October 2023 letter, for allegations of bylaw and code of ethics violations.'
The article contains inflammatory rhetoric when the author states that Vassar acted beyond her authority and made decisions without prior communication with the board. For example, 'Vassar released a statement calling the allegations
Bias
(75%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that depicts one side as extreme or unreasonable.
<br><b>Vassar released a statement calling the allegations</b>: <i>'fabrications, misstatements, innuendo, and untruths.'</i>
>Michigan State University Board of Trustees Chair Rema Vassar is facing calls to resign or be replaced over allegations made by fellow Trustee Brianna Scott.<br>Trustee Brianna Scott, called for Vassar to resign in an October 2023 letter, for allegations of bylaw and code of ethics violations.
The university then hired Washington D.C. based law firm Miller & Chevalier to investigate.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author of the article has a conflict of interest with Michigan State University as they are owned by WWMT which is affiliated with MSU. The article also mentions Rema Vassar who was the board chair at MSU and an ethics investigation that may have affected her position.
WWMT is owned by Sinclair Broadcasting Group, which has a financial stake in Michigan State University through its ownership of WJRT-TV. This could compromise their ability to report on the university objectively.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of Michigan State University's Rema Vassar resigning as board chair amid ethics investigation. The article mentions that Vassar is a former MSU employee and was involved in an ethics investigation at the university.
