The Ann Arbor News is suing the University for allegedly violating the Freedom of Information Act by refusing to release a letter sent to Michigan Basketball Coach Steve Fisher from Athletic Director Joe Roberson.
The alleged letter reprimands Fisher for not notifying Roberson of actions he took to investigate several interactions between members of the basketball team and Detroit booster Ed Martin, the Ann Arbor News reported yesterday.
The newspaper claims that it attempted for seven weeks to gain formal possession of the letter through a FOIA request, but the University refused to hand the letter over. Yesterday, the newspaper filed suit against the University with the Washtenaw County Courts in order to acquire the letter. The case has been assigned to Judge David Swartz. A hearing is to be held on May 20.
Ann Arbor News Publisher David Wierman said the letter should be submitted to the public.
"We feel that the information we have asked for is subject to FOIA laws, and we and the public have a right to the information," Wierman said. "Our issue is how the administration is handling the sports program. We can't evaluate that without the right information. The information we requested falls under the right information."
Associate Vice President for University Relations Lisa Baker said the University has the right to protect material that relates to personnel issues.
"We believe very strongly that personnel records of faculty, students and staff at the University remain confidential," Baker said. "This is a deeply held principle at the University, and that is why we would withhold everything with regard to a personnel file."
Baker said she was unable to comment further on the letter or the case.
Roberson and Senior Associate Athletic Director Keith Molin were unavailable for comment yesterday.
In March, the University admitted relations between Michigan basketball players and Martin violated two minor NCAA regulations. In a report to the NCAA outlining the violations, the University said Fisher prevented the program from making further violations involving contact with Martin.
The report states that Fisher restricted Martin from acquiring an apartment for two team members and examined an instance in which Martin attempted to provide a player's family with airplane tickets.
In a statement released at that time, Roberson criticized the coaching staff for not reporting the incidents to him.
"While we are pleased that our system was able to prevent major violations from occurring, we are disappointed that internal disciplines and reporting procedures did not result in these activities coming to our attention by an appropriate reporting process," Roberson said in the statement.
Regent Daniel Horning (R-Grand Haven) said the lawsuit's claims are unfair.
"I don't agree with the Ann Arbor News' suit (against the University) that says that the public has a right to personnel files," Horning said. "That's a personnel matter and you have to draw the line somewhere.
"I fully support the fact that these type of arrangements have remained as internal matters and have been kept private."
Horning said he fully supports Fisher and that Fisher's job is no way in jeopardy.
"It has been very difficult on Steve, and even more difficult on his family," Horning said. "I'd like it to end. We are conducting an external investigation. There is no need to have this public fervor over personnel files and memos. It's not fair. It's not fair to Steve, his family or the players. I'm getting tired of it."
FILE/Daily
The University allegedly reprimanded Michigan Coach Steve Fisher for action
he took in investigating contact between team members and a booster.