Peters not satisfied with Engler's answers during hearing

WASHINGTON  (WOOD) — U.S. Sen. Gary Peters was not satisfied with Michigan State  University interim president John Engler's answers at a congressional  hearing Tuesday. 

The hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation  Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data  Security focused on what is being done to respond to the Larry Nassar abuse case.

In  a satellite interview with 24 Hour News 8's Lynsey Mukomel, Peters said  he never thought Engler was the right person to lead the university.

"It  was very important after (Lou Anna K. Simon) resigned to bring in some  fresh eyes, to bring in fresh perspective. If you just keep doing things  the same old way, that's not necessarily going to be done in an  appropriate way to make sure there are culture changes," Sen. Peters  added. 

He was referring to a perceived lack of empathy Engler has shown to survivors.

"Survivors  believe that Mr. Engler is not about trying to rebuild trust necessary  for the institution and for the survivors to move on," Peters went on to  say. "These young women are going to be impacted as a result of these  heinous criminal acts for decades to come and the institution of  Michigan State bears some responsibility."

The Michigan senator  met with some of the women before the hearing to discuss what they  wanted answered. About 80 women sat behind Engler while he was  questioned by subcommittee members. 

"I don't think he answered in  a way that was certainly satisfactory to the survivors in the  audience," Sen. Peters said. "Folks who talked to me are very concerned  about President Engler and, really, his inability to try to develop  trust and to try to change the culture in [MSU] to make sure it is more  welcoming to folks who want to speak out and want to step out."

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