ANN ARBOR, Mich. – University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker read an apology at Thursday’s board meeting following an independent investigation that determined the “lewd” and “misogynistic” comments he made on Slack about a U-M student were authentic.
The University of Michigan issued a statement on Thursday to confirm the conclusion of the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA) investigation, which was commissioned by the university after The Guardian published an article in April alleging that Acker speculated about the student’s sexual activity and shared her photo on Slack.
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According to the statement from the university, the board intends to close the matter without taking further action.
Acker, who has served on the Board of Regents since 2019, did not mention the Slack messages directly in his apology. However, he expressed deep regret for disappointing the university community and failing to maintain the standards he said he sets for himself and others.
“I’ve spent much of my life advocating for accountability from leaders and institutions. I’ve demanded that others live up to high expectations, it would be hypocritical of me to not hold myself to that same standard. Regardless of what anyone else says or does, the fact is that I made choices that fell short of the standards I expect for myself,” Acker said on Thursday. “It does not erase the disappointment I have caused people who believed in me. It does not erase the embarrassment that this has brought to an institution that deserves better. For that I am genuinely sorry.”
Acker also apologized for the delay in addressing the situation, saying that he was following advice from advisors.
“I do not ask for sympathy, I do not ask anyone to excuse my mistakes, I only ask that my apology be heard as sincere,” he continued.
Acker confirmed that he intends to stay on the board through the remainder of his term. U-M Regents Paul Brown and Denise Ilitch both expressed their support of Acker after his statement, with Ilitch calling it “a teachable moment” for students.
“When you make a mistake, you own it, you’re accountable, you apologize, and you carry on with the work,” she said.
Acker will serve through the end of his term, which expires Jan. 1, 2027. Dearborn attorney Amir Makled defeated Acker for the Democratic nomination for the U-M Board of Regents in April.
View Acker’s full statement below.