On Friday, June 12, the MSU Board of Trustees voted to formally censure Trustees Mike Balow and Rema Vassar after they refused to sign the university’s newly adopted code of conduct – a policy critics have described as less of an ethics guide and more of a speech muzzle as we previously reported.

MORE NEWS: DOE Finalizes $1.6 Billion Loan for DTE Gas, Promising Lower Costs and Infrastructure Upgrades

The sanctions, which passed on a 4-3 vote, strip the pair of various privileges, including access to athletic events, certain travel reimbursements, and leadership positions on board committees. It also stands as a public statement of disapproval of the two trustees from the rest of the Board.

Sign here – or else.

The controversy began in May when trustees hastily approved a revised ethics policy during a special Zoom meeting. The new rules emphasize “loyalty” to board decisions and limit public dissent once votes are finalized. Balow, the board’s lone Republican, and Vassar have declined to sign the document, arguing it raises constitutional concerns. Their refusal triggered sanctions outlined in the policy.

“I would bear 1,000 sanctions for doing my job properly,” Balow said. He also expected the censure and said that their behavior is not supposed to be “policed by our fellow colleagues.”

Complicating matters further for MSU, Trustee Vassar is threatening to sue the university for at least $25 million, alleging years of discrimination and violations of her First Amendment and due-process rights. She has not yet filed suit, but says she will do so if the university fails to respond to her demands by June 17.

From ethics policy to enforcement policy.

Board Chair Brianna Scott defended the action of censuring Vassar and Balow, saying that there has to be actionable consequences for those who don’t follow board policies. Supporters insist the policy promotes effective governance, while opponents argue it punishes disagreement and discourages transparency.

Ironically, the rules were originally approved as part of an effort to stabilize university leadership and convince President Kevin Guskiewicz to stay at MSU. He is leaving anyway. Guskiewicz cited board dysfunction and ongoing internal conflicts as factors in his decision to accept Clemson University’s presidency.

MORE NEWS: Anchor Dropped in Cadillac: Boat Factory Closing in the Fall, 232 Workers Losing Jobs

For critics of the policy, the latest vote only reinforces concerns that MSU’s solution to board disagreement is not resolving it – but regulating who gets to talk about it.