U-M statement following press conference by former student athletes

February 27, 2020

The three brave men who came forward today to share their stories delivered a powerful message.

We want to encourage everyone harmed by Robert E. Anderson or who has evidence of his misconduct to come forward. At the University of Michigan, we want to hear your voices.

As U-M President Mark Schlissel has said, we are deeply sorry for the harm caused by Anderson.

The university engaged a firm with deep expertise to conduct an independent, thorough, and unflinching review of the facts – wherever they may lead.  Through the work of this independent firm, there will be a full, public accounting of the harms caused by Anderson as well as the institutional failings that allowed him to keep practicing.

We again urge anyone to come forward and talk directly and confidentially to our outside, independent investigators. It is truly important for the investigators to hear the voices of survivors for the investigators to understand the full scope of harm and its root causes.

And we want those who come forward to get the counseling the may need. To facilitate that, the university is offering counseling services to anyone affected by Anderson. The university is in the midst of engaging a national counseling firm to coordinate this care with local counselors in communities where these individuals now live.

Outside investigators:
Steptoe & Johnson
Phone: 202-419-5162
Email: UofM@steptoe.com

Compliance Hotline: 866-990-0111