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Dr. William Strampel "used his office to harass, discriminate." (MSU photo)
A 2010 performance appraisal of ex-Dean William Strampel of Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine paints a disturbing picture and raises questions about why he was allowed to remain at the helm.
Evaluations from multiple faculty, staff and students show an administrator flaunting his sexuality and commenting inappropriately about others. He had a tendency to put a sexual or crude spin on conversations, make comments about the appearance of women and look at their breasts while talking with them, reports Kim Kozlowski of The Detroit News:
He also bragged of sexual conquests to students and predicted that he could have been Michigan’s governor if it hadn’t been for his affairs.
These are a few of the jarring observations woven into a 2010 performance appraisal of Strampel, 70, who last week was charged with misconduct in office, criminal sexual conduct and neglect of duty for what investigators described as lax supervision of former sports doctor Larry Nassar.
The charging documents suggest that Strampel, too, preyed on female students. His performance evaluations suggest Michigan State University officials knew or should have known that Strampel’s off-putting sexual comments made many students, faculty and staff uncomfortable.
The comments are among a 63-page university-held document and part of Strampel’s 2010 evaluation obtained by the paper. One person wrote in the report:
"I have witnessed unprofessional and sexual comments from the dean about female students – including remarks from the dean of a female wearing 'come fuck me heels' and another instance where he admitt[ed] to knowing a student for a long period and how ‘she certainly filled out nicely.'"
The disgraced administrator faces four criminal charges, including one stemming from alleged groping of a student. Michigan State Police investigtors say his office computer had about 50 sexually graphic photos.
After 15 years as dean, Strampel stepped down in December, ostensibly for health reasons. Interim President John Engler started a dismissal process in February.
