Last week, in the aftermath of the news that MSU was losing its athletic director, J Batt, to Kentucky, Spartan Nation began to catch wind of a petition circulating online, on change.org, requesting a trio of MSU trustees to resign. I, being the revered member of the media that I am, was able to get in contact with the person who wrote the petition, Michigan State graduate Victoria Bell. I asked for permission to conduct an interview and Bell consented.
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the interview to try to keep the conversation of the petition and the underlying issues that MSU is experiencing with its board of trustees at the front of people’s attention. I don’t want Spartan Nation to take their eyes of the prize. Please enjoy the responses from Victoria.
The Only Colors: Hello Victoria, thank you for participating in this interview for The Only Colors. You begin your petition on change.org with the line, “For most of my life, I have been incredibly proud to call myself a Spartan.” Please tell us about that. Did you grow up a fan of Michigan State? What did you study at MSU? What are some of your favorite memories from your time in East Lansing? What profession did you go into after graduating? What is your favorite thing about MSU that you like telling non-Spartans?
Victoria Bell: For most of my life, I’ve been incredibly proud to call myself a Spartan. I grew up in Michigan and Michigan State was always a major part of my life. When I attended MSU, I fell in love not just with the athletics, but with the entire community. Some of my favorite memories are the traditions that make East Lansing special—the energy on game days, the friendships I built, and the feeling that everyone on campus was part of something bigger than themselves.
After graduating, I went into sales and currently work as an Area Sales Manager for Stellantis in the Midwest. My time at Michigan State helped prepare me professionally, but more importantly it taught me the value of community, leadership, and service.
The thing I always tell non-Spartans is that Michigan State is one of the greatest public universities in the country because it combines world-class academics, research, athletics, and a passionate alumni base. Spartans genuinely care about the university and each other.
TOC: Your petition expresses concern for the university as a whole, not just the implications to the athletic department. How closely do you follow news surrounding the administrative and academic aspects of Michigan State University? What are the strengths of MSU, as you see it? What are its weaknesses and/or challenges (aside from the people named in your petition)?
VB: I follow Michigan State closely, not just athletics but also university leadership and major developments impacting students, faculty, and alumni. I think many alumni have become increasingly engaged because we’ve seen how leadership decisions can directly affect the institution’s future.
MSU’s strengths are obvious: incredible students, faculty, research programs, alumni support, and one of the most recognizable athletic brands in college sports. The university has enormous momentum and potential.
The challenge is stability. Great universities thrive when leadership is aligned around a common mission. Over the last several years, too much attention has been diverted toward internal conflicts and controversies instead of focusing on moving the university forward.
TOC: You mention “years of controversy, dysfunction, and failed leadership.” When would you say that the “failed leadership” began that has led us to this current point? Would you describe it as a series of isolated events/incidents, or do you think it has been a case of one misstep directly leading to another with the problem(s) compounding? What, in your opinion, has been the biggest factor to MSU not being able to have a controversy-free board of trustees?
VB: I don’t think there’s one single moment. It’s been a pattern that has developed over several years. Individual controversies may have been separate events, but collectively they created an environment where instability became normalized.
The biggest issue, in my view, is that the Board of Trustees has too often become the story. The board should be helping the university succeed behind the scenes. Instead, repeated controversies have drawn attention away from students, faculty, athletics, and the university’s mission.
TOC: To your petition, did you think to start the petition when the news of President Kevin Guskiewicz’s departure came out, or was it the J Batt exodus that pushed you over the edge? Had MSU only lost one of these 2 leaders, would this petition have been needed? It feels safe to say that both were prepared to leave MSU for very similar reasons.
VB: It was both.
Losing one respected leader can happen at any institution. Losing multiple highly regarded leaders in a short period of time should raise serious questions.
President Guskiewicz’s departure was deeply concerning because he represented stability and credibility. J Batt’s departure was equally concerning because he had helped create tremendous momentum for Michigan State Athletics and was widely viewed as one of the most effective athletic directors in the country.
When talented leaders continue to leave, alumni naturally begin asking why.
TOC: What were your expectations when you put the petition out? As of Sunday morning, there are over 17,000 signatures. Did you imagine it would get this much attention? At this point, how high do you think that number can grow?
VB: Absolutely not.
When I started the petition, I hoped it would start a conversation. I never imagined it would grow to more than 17,000 signatures in such a short period of time.
What that number tells me is that this isn’t about one person or one opinion. There are thousands of Spartans who care deeply about the future of Michigan State and want their voices heard.
As for how high it can go, I don’t know. But every signature represents someone who believes the university deserves better leadership and accountability.
TOC: What happens next? How do you take this massive public support and make sure the people who need to see it actually see it? This refers to the three board members – Rema Vassar, Dennis Denno, and Mike Balow – whose resignation you are requesting, as well as other stakeholders who may be able to push these three to acquiesce to the public’s desire.
VB: The goal was never just to collect signatures. The goal is to demonstrate that alumni, students, faculty, and supporters are paying attention.
The petition itself is a message that cannot be ignored. Media coverage, alumni engagement, and public discussion are all helping ensure that the concerns being raised reach the people responsible for governing the university.
Ultimately, meaningful change happens when stakeholders make it clear that the status quo is unacceptable.
TOC: There are definitely a lot of emotions going around Spartan Nation at the moment. What would you like to say to your fellow Spartans? How do we use this groundswell of outrage to create change? What else can Spartans do aside from signing your petition?
VB: I would tell Spartans to stay engaged.
The passion we’re seeing right now comes from a place of love for Michigan State. We all want the same thing: a thriving university that attracts and retains exceptional leaders.
Signing the petition is one step, but alumni can also contact university leadership, engage with trustee elections, support student initiatives, and continue advocating for accountability.
Real change happens when people stay involved after the headlines fade.
TOC: Last question. Would you ever have interest in being an MSU trustee? What should the selection process for the BoT look like? Do you think it should be an elected or appointed position? Should there be any requirements for holding a board seat (e.g. being an MSU grad)?
VB: Personally, I have no interest in serving as a trustee.
What I do believe is that the Board of Trustees should include individuals who are deeply invested in Michigan State’s success, including alumni who understand the institution and younger voices who bring fresh perspectives.
I also think it’s worth having a broader conversation about how trustee positions are structured. If we want to attract highly qualified candidates with significant leadership experience, perhaps compensation should be considered. Right now, too many board races can become political exercises rather than searches for the best people to help govern a world-class university.
Whether trustees are elected or appointed, the focus should be on competence, integrity, accountability, and a demonstrated commitment to Michigan State’s mission. The university deserves leaders who are there to serve the institution—not themselves.
TOC: If there is anything else you would like to communicate, please feel free to do so.
VB: This petition is not about politics, personal grudges, or division. It’s about protecting an institution that means so much to so many people.
Michigan State has overcome enormous challenges throughout its history because Spartans care deeply about this university. The response to this petition shows that spirit is alive and well.
The message from thousands of Spartans is simple: we love Michigan State, and we want leadership worthy of its future.
TOC: I thank you again for taking the time to answer these questions, and also for taking the initiative to get a petition circulating online.
In case you have not yet seen it, here is the petition’s link.
Once again, we wish to thank Victoria Bell for participating in this interview and for being a great Spartan.
Please continue to stay active in this process. If you are looking to do more but not sure what, please revisit Mike’s article from this past weekend which features a section on things you can do.
