The University of Michigan is closer to hiring a consultant to assist with implementing recommendations from the WilmerHale law firm, based on its report regarding allegations of sexual misconduct by former provost Martin Philbert.
Board of Regents Chair Denise Ilitch provided an update on that effort during the board’s Oct. 22 meeting. She said members of the board and President Mark Schlissel are in the process of interviewing firms that would be able to serve in that consulting role.
Last month, Schlissel said that to ensure the university implements the recommendations in a timely, thorough and thoughtful manner, the board would hire an outside firm to provide an external perspective and to help oversee the work recommended in the report.
“Since that time, we have identified multiple qualified firms and we are now in the process of interviewing them with a goal of selecting a firm in the coming weeks,” Ilitch said. “We will have more to report at the next board meeting on this process.
“This remains one of our top priorities and we are moving quickly but carefully. The goal is to ensure the highest possible standards for the university.”
The Board of Regents next meets on Dec. 3.
