Pontiac Times

A series of sexual assault claims on Michigan college campuses has led to State Rep. John Reilly (R-Oakland) promoting a new bill, HB 5603, that calls for more management and direction, according to a press release from the Michigan House Republicans.

An oversight is needed for public universities, Reilly said in the press release. In light of the sexual assault allegations, he alleged the institutions haven’t properly fulfilled their responsibility to support their students and their Constitutional rights. There are also ongoing claims the universities have failed to protect and back the first amendment rights, particularly related to free speech of the students.

If passed, the Oversight of Higher Education Act would be birthed under the new bill. That act would subsequently create the Office of the Higher Education Ombudsman (OHEO) under the Michigan Department of Education.

Rep. John Reilly is pushing for more management in Michigan public colleges. | Stock Photo

“Recent campus sexual assault incidents, whether it be Larry Nassar or Robert Anderson, as well as free speech violations, point to the need for greater oversight by the legislature and state government," Reilly said in the press release. "Public universities have failed to adequately address complaints against them and the OHEO will help students, faculty and staff have their issues properly investigated and resolved.”

The office is purposed to provide a resource for students and employees to report any issues they have with a public university and its workers, individuals or entities connected to them. There is potential for the office to serve as a mediator and help navigate through issues that involve an entity or individual within a university, according to the press release from the Michigan House Republicans. It’s also slated to work with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Michigan Department of Education, as well as the state’s attorney general.