Michigan State University Trustee Mike Balow filed a federal lawsuit against Board Chair Brianna Scott and Board Secretary Stefan Fletcher over the university's ethics code. The code, adopted in May, prohibits trustees from publicly criticizing board majority decisions and requires them to support official university positions. Balow and trustee Rema Vassar refused to sign the code and were censured in June, losing certain board privileges. Balow claims the code violates his First Amendment rights. He argues the rules permit trustees to praise university leaders but punish criticism of their decisions, limiting independent oversight. Balow previously questioned the university's handling of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal. The lawsuit seeks to find the code unconstitutional and end its enforcement.