The settlement agreement includes $460 million for the roughly 1,050 claimants and $30 million for future claimants. But it must be agreed upon by 98% of the claimants and must be approved by the University of Michigan Board of Regents and the court.
The university said it will have no role in how the money would be distributed among the claimants.
“This agreement is a critical step among many the university has taken to improve support for survivors and more effectively prevent and address misconduct,” University of Michigan interim President Mary Sue Coleman said in a statement provided to CNN.
In an interview with the report’s authors and in sworn testimony, Easthope told investigators that he was aware of allegations against Anderson at the time. According to the report, Easthope “claimed to have confronted Dr. Anderson and fired him.”
“But Mr. Easthope did not do so,” the report said. Easthope died in February 2021.
The allegations at the University of Michigan resemble those against Larry Nassar at Michigan State University and Richard Strauss at Ohio State University — doctors who abused their trusted positions to sexually abuse college students and athletes.
“We hope this settlement will begin the healing process for survivors,” said Jordan Acker, chair of the University of Michigan Board of Regents.
“At the same time, the work that began two years ago, when the first brave survivors came forward, will continue.”
CNN’s Alec Snyder and Holly Yan contributed to this report.