University of Michigan opens investigation into regent's 'disturbing' messages

Sarah Atwood, The Detroit News on Apr 21, 2026

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DETROIT — The University of Michigan is opening an investigation into Regent Jordan Acker's purported Slack messages, in which he appeared to make obscene sexual comments about a Democratic strategist and lewd comments about a female UM student.

Regent Chair Mark Bernstein said in a message posted to the university's communications website that the board was "aware of disturbing messages" attributed to Acker. Bernstein and Vice Chair Michael Behm said in the statement that they reported the messages and said it would be "thoroughly, fairly, and expeditiously" investigated.

The investigation will be handled internally, said Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Internal Communications Paul Corliss.

The university's Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs said the messages were "disgusting," a "violation of trust and professional standards" and "unbecoming of the position." The committee said if the allegations were true, Acker should resign immediately.

Acker told The Detroit News on Sunday the allegations were "ridiculous" and "fake," and his Acker's attorney, Ethan Holtz, said in a statement that Acker "has never been on Slack" and that the messages contained elements that appeared to be "doctored."

The Guardian first reported the messages on Friday, two days before the Democratic Party's nominating convention, where the delegates refused to put Acker up for reelection and chose Arab-American attorney Amir Makled of Dearborn and Regent Paul Brown.

Acker was not immediately available for comment Tuesday afternoon.

The unusually contentious race between Makled and Acker exploded with claims of antisemitic and Islamophobic behavior ― a microcosm of the conflicting views of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza on the Ann Arbor campus and within the Democratic Party. The UM regents have come under fire for their handling of pro-Palestinian, antiwar protests of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, including how some participating students were punished and for allowing the demonstrations to occur.

Makled represented several students who faced charges after demonstrations calling on UM to divest from weapons manufacturing and Israel. The board has refused to do so.

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