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Trustee Jordan Acker (UM photo)
Update: 4:10 p.m. Wednesday: The University of Michigan announced today that it has hired the New York law firm of Patterson Belknap to conduct an independent investigation into allegations that school Trustee Jordan Acker wrote messages of a sexual nature about a Democratic Party strategist in a group chat on Slack and also lewd remarks about a female U-M student about five years ago.
The university is encouraging anyone with information to confidentially contact UMconcerns@pbwt.com or 212-336-2083.
Acker denies writing the messages and claims he never used Slack, a communication and collaboration platform designed to replace email with real-time messaging.
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Reported on Tuesday
The University of Michigan on Tuesday said it will investigate inflamatory messages on Slack attributed to Regent Jordan Acker, who has denied writing them.
Tom Perkins of The Guardian reported the messages included obscene sexual comments about a Democratic Party strategist in a group chat on Slack and also lewd remarks about a female U-M student about five years ago.
"We are aware of disturbing messages allegedly attributed to Regent Acker in an article recently published in The Guardian, including messages potentially referencing a University of Michigan student," said Regent Chair Mark Bernstein and Vice Chair Michael Behm in a statement. "We immediately reported this matter and expect it to be investigated thoroughly, fairly, and expeditiously."
Acker told the Detroit News on Sunday the allegations were "ridiculous" and "fake." His attorney said he had never been on Slack, a communication and collaboration platform designed to replace email with real-time messaging.
The Detroit News reports that the matter will be investigated internally at the school.
Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs issued a statement:
"The conduct described in this report is disgusting, a violation of trust and professional standards, and unbecoming of the high office to which Regent Acker has been elected. If these allegations are true, Regent Acker should resign his position immediately."
On Sunday, Acker, an attorney from Huntington Woods, lost out on an opportunity to run for re-election as a trustee. Delegates selected attorney Amir Makled of Dearborn instead.
The report by The Guardian surfaced on Friday, the day the convention began.
