FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 1, 2021
CONTACT:
Autria Lindsay (202) 322-4401
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN'S FAVORABILITY RATING DROPS DUE TO SEX ABUSE SCANDAL
LATEST POLLING OF MICHIGANDERS SHOWS THE UNIVERSITY'S HANDLING OF SEXUAL ABUSE CASE IS CAUSING DECLINE IN FAVORABLE VIEW
ANN ARBOR - A second wave of polling conducted on Michigan residents is not positive news for the University of Michigan. Specifically, the University's favorability rating has dropped from just two weeks ago as residents are becoming more aware of the sexual abuse case against Dr. Robert Anderson.
While approximately 80% of Michiganders are still "angry" (or "very angry") about the handling of the Anderson investigation, the number of respondents with an unfavorable opinion of the University has jumped. Highlights from the recent survey of Michigan residents include:
FAVORABILITY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN DROPS
- In contrast to the previous poll, where 71.83% of respondents had a favorable opinion of The University of Michigan, now just 65.83% share a favorable view.
- On the flip side, the proportion of respondents with an unfavorable opinion jumped. Today, 17.33% of residents view the University with an unfavorable opinion, a 6% increase from the 11% with an unfavorable view in the last poll.
APPROVAL OF THE UNIVERSITY'S HANDLING OF SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL DROPS
- During the second wave of polling, only 20% of respondents believe that the university is doing a "good job" of handling the situation. That number is down from approximately 25% just two weeks ago.
- Once again, approx. 79% answered "angry" or "very angry" about the situation
BLAME FOR SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL REMAINS OVERWHELMINGLY ON UNIVERSITY
- 81.84% Blame University of Michigan personnel
-77.66% Blame University of Michigan overall
-72.5% Blame Former Head Football Coach Bo Schembechler
While blame from respondents still falls heavily on Dr. Anderson, this second poll data shows an overwhelming majority of respondents place blame on the University of Michigan.
AWARENESS OF SEXUAL ABUSE CASE GROWING
- 63% of Michigan residents polled are aware of the sexual abuse allegations against Dr. Anderson and the University of Michigan.
- In the initial poll, the number was just 52% of residents who have heard, seen, or read anything about the case.
MICHIGAN RESIDENTS WANT REGENTS HELD ACCOUNTABLE
- Approx. 79% of respondents want past regents held liable for covering up this scandal.
- 74% want current regents voted out if they helped in the cover-up.
Causeway Solutions conducted a second survey of Michigan citizens over the age of 18 years old from June 22 through June 25, 2021. This online survey was conducted on behalf of Spotlight Michigan (N=600) and should yield a margin of error of ±4% in 95 out of 100 cases. Nearly identical to the first poll, over a third (40%) of respondents attended the University of Michigan.
Spotlight Michigan is committed to exposing these crimes and providing a voice to the community of victims, families, friends, and University of Michigan alumni that demand accountability from the University for its failure to put students before predators. It is also imperative that protocols and procedures be updated and improved to ensure such systemic failures that allowed for both the abuse and the cover-up never happen again.
To learn more about Spotlight Michigan visit our website at www.spotlightmichigan.com
