Michael Balow challenges MSU's trustee code as a condition on office resources.
Michael BalowElected Michigan State University trustee and plaintiff
Michael Balow says the code forces a choice between First Amendment rights and office resources.
“The Ethics Code forces Balow to either surrender his First Amendment rights or forfeit resources associated with his office.”
Original text
Where this statement fits
Michael Balow challenges MSU's trustee ethics code; Brianna Scott defends it.
Michigan State University trustee Michael Balow sued board chair Brianna Scott and board secretary Stefan Fletcher on October 28, 2026, alleging that the revised ethics code restricts protected criticism and penalizes his refusal to sign. The code requires support for majority decisions and says trustees will raise concerns in appropriate settings, in advance of board action. Scott says the code sets sound governance practices without limiting speech, oversight or questions. The policy also states support for open deliberation and free expression in board deliberations. It distinguishes automatic sanctions for failing to sign from the investigation process for other alleged violations. Balow, represented by FIRE, seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.
Source and context
Original text
About this source
Balow challenges speech restrictions and sanctions in a complaint against the chair and secretary in their official capacities. Allegations are the plaintiff's.
Before the quotation
Balow makes this allegation in his verified complaint.
After the quotation
He seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
His verified complaint legally rejects the code's signature requirement and sanctions.
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More from this case
Read the full caseBrianna Scott defends MSU's trustee code as compatible with oversight.
“The code does not limit speech or restrict members of governing boards from raising concerns, providing oversight or questioning decisions”Read statement
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- Michael Balow challenges MSU's trustee code as a condition on office resources.
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The Dispute Index. "Michael Balow challenges MSU's trustee code as a condition on office resources.". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/events/7813-michael-balow-says-the-code-forces-a-choice