MSU Professor Resigns After Sexual Assault Investigation

Michigan State University Professor David Foran resigned after reports of sexual assault were confirmed by the University’s own investigation. At least four women reported instances of being sexually assaulted by Foran, according to MSU’s Office of Institution Equality (OIE) report.

Foran, a former criminal justice professor, also retaliated against at least one woman for reporting his misconduct to the OIE. The sexual assaults perpetrated by Foran included hugging the women, kissing them on the head, and massaging their shoulders, even as they were trying to turn away. All of the women were fearful Foran might retaliate against them and felt they had “no choice but to acquiesce and do what [Foran] wanted them to do,” according to the OIE report.

The University claims Foran resigned before they had the opportunity to fire him. Foran resigned as of June 3, 2021. A committee unanimously concluded to dismiss Foran in January of 2021. Foran was on leave during the tenure revocation process which had to take place before the firing. According to reports, MSU President Samuel Stanley said he agreed with the committee finding in April; Foran was sent a letter regarding Stanley’s decision May 26 – and told the Board of Trustees would make a final decision June 18.

Foran is one of six professors that have been publicly ousted for remaining on faculty at MSU, despite the University confirming that they had each sexually assaulted or sexually harassed two or more people. The five other professors,  Marketing professor Tomas Hult, communications professor William Donohue, physiology professor Robert Wiseman, veterinary medicine professor Matti Kiupel and anthropology professor John Norder, still teach at the university.

Grewal Law represented a third of the plaintiffs in the MSU and Larry Nassar lawsuits, and the Grewal team was instrumental in obtaining the half a billion-dollar settlement from MSU. Currently, the award-winning lawyers at Grewal Law are fighting to hold USAG and USOC accountable for their roles in allowing Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse to occur. In addition, Grewal Law attorneys are working to help hold University of Michigan accountable for allowing Dr. Robert Anderson to sexually abuse over 800 student-athletes, students, and other young people for decades.  The attorneys at Grewal Law understand what it takes to prevail against sexual predators and the companies that allow their sexual misconduct to occur.