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Podcasts | Trusteeship

Mike Balow: Resisting MSU’s Crackdown on Dissent

July 15, 2026

ACTA’s Nick Down interviews Michigan State University (MSU) Board of Trustees member Mike Balow. The aftermath of an emergency meeting to revise MSU’s trustee code of ethics has embroiled the Board in controversy. The revised ethics code includes a “loyalty pledge” that limits trustee speech, with threats to sanction and publicly censure any trustee who refuse to sign. Trustee Balow and one colleague refused to sign the loyalty pledge. Since then, the dissenting trustees have faced intense public pressure, including doxxing and social media threats. Trustee Balow tells his side of the story of what really happened at the emergency meeting, and why he categorically opposes the new mandate. 

Note: When this podcast was recorded, MSU president Kevin Guskiewicz had announced his imminent departure from the university. He has since reversed course and chosen to stay at MSU. 

Note: Please check any quotations against the audio recording. A transcript is available upon request. The views expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and may not necessarily reflect those of ACTA.

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