This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
The University of Michigan’s Board of Regents voted unanimously Thursday morning to dismiss Scott Piper, former Associate Professor of Music in Voice at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, for violation of U-M sexual harassment policies.
A complaint against Piper was first filed by an anonymous student with the University’s Equity, Civil Rights & Title IX office in May 2024, according to records obtained and reported on by The Michigan Daily. This incident was one of four of sexual harassment allegations made by the student against Piper while he was the chair of the Music, Theatre & Dance School’s Department of Voice & Opera. These allegations included inappropriate confessions of romantic feelings, unwelcome physical contact, abuse of power in a one-on-one private lesson setting and repeated inappropriate comments made towards the student.
The Daily found that following the complaint, in June 2024, Piper was removed as the chair of the department and put on administrative leave until further notice. In October 2024, ECRT Hearing Officer Jeff Knight recommended Piper be dismissed from his tenured position, which Piper appealed in November 2024. Piper’s appeal was denied in January 2025 by external reviewer Lawrence F. Stengel, who upheld the original findings.
Piper’s dismissal was recommended by interim University President Domenico Grasso under Bylaw Section 5.09, according to Grasso’s communication to the board.
“For the reasons contained in the record, I have determined that Professor Piper’s conduct substantially impairs the fulfillment of his responsibilities as a tenured faculty member at the University of Michigan and therefore constitutes cause for dismissal under Bylaw 5.09,” Grasso wrote.
The Music, Theatre & Dance School has faced two previous, separate cases of sexual misconduct. Former professors Stephen Shipps and David Daniels have also faced similar allegations in 2018 and 2020, respectively, resulting in prison time for Shipps and dismissal for Daniels.
The Michigan Daily News Staff can be reached at news@michigandaily.com.
