Overview
- Multiple media reports say the University of Michigan is negotiating terms of Warde Manuel’s departure and that the Board of Regents will discuss the Jenner & Block findings at its meeting Thursday, July 16.
- The Jenner & Block review was commissioned in December, expanded to examine department culture and procedures, and has been reported to cost roughly $11–12 million.
- Manuel has publicly said he expects to remain in the near term after several conversations with university president Domenico Grasso, and the university has not announced any personnel change.
- Manuel signed a five-year contract extension in December 2024 that runs through June 30, 2030 and includes a clause that could require up to 36 months of severance if he is terminated without cause.
- Ongoing litigation, including a suit by Paige Shiver seeking internal emails, raises pressure on the university and could shape regents’ choices while any decision will have immediate governance, financial and personnel consequences for Michigan athletics.