GRAMA Request

November 13, 2019

Jacob Akin
Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) Officer
Utah Valley University
800 West University Parkway
Orem, UT 84058

Re: GRAMA Request to Utah Valley University re Dr. Michael J. Shively

Dear Mr. Atkin:

Dr. Michael Jay Shively was abruptly escorted from campus and suspended from his teaching position under the guise of a “serious offense affecting the public interest” on March 25, 2019. However, the public has not been informed as to Dr. Shively’s “serious offense,” nor provided any justification for the prolonged 21-week investigation until his death.

We want to know why this investigation was approved and allowed to continue until the death of this devoted and esteemed professor, who some referred to as the top anatomist in the United States. Dr. Shively was the lead author of a human anatomy textbook, and over 100 scholarly publications. He was recognized as Teacher of the Year five (5) times, and served as Faculty Senate President, Department Chair, and Faculty Athletic Representative during a stellar 27-year career at UVU. Dr. Shively earned his DVM, M.S, and Ph.D. from Purdue University. He taught both veterinary and human anatomy and physiology before coming to UVU, and he was a prolific author in peer-reviewed scientific journals, as well as a solicited reviewer, with four more publications currently in preparation. He was appointed the Human Anatomy Program Coordinator in 1993, when he redesigned the curriculum and built a program that earned statewide and national recognition. We, therefore, respectfully request the following:

1. All information that UVU’s President Astrid S. Tuminez received or relied upon in connection with her March 25, 2019 letter suspending Dr. Michael J. Shively for a “serious offense affecting the public interest.”

2. All information in UVU’s Final Investigation Report of Dr. Shively relating to a “serious offense affecting the public interest,” including findings, admissions and conclusions otherwise.

Please send copies of the above-referenced documents to the following persons via their email below.

Ann Pye Shively AnnPye Shively (Nov 13,2019)
Dr. Ann P. Shively, spouse of Dr. Mike Shively

James G Harris (Nov 15,2019)
Professor of Biology and former Dean of the Science and Health

Dr. Sam Rushforth (Nov 14,2019)
Dean of Science and Health Emeritus

Peter Maguire  (Nov 15,2019)
Independent