Eastern Michigan university Case Study

1. Sacrificing Student Safety for a Sharper Image Eastern Michigan university Case Study

2. Eastern Michigan University • Public University founded in 1849 • Average student population: 23,000 • Annual Michigan economy impact $3.7 billion • A $42 dollar return for every dollar received from the state • Top Producer of health care professionals and K-12 Teachers

3. Who are the Stakeholders? • Students • Faculty/ Staff • Local Community • State • Government • Students’ Families • Department of Education

4. December 12, 2006 • Laura Dickinson attended Rowing team Christmas party • Dickinson returned to her Hill Hall dorm room with gift bag

5. December 15, 2006 • Dickinson’s father called university • No contact for two days • University noted she had missed final exams • Custodian unlocked door and found her lifeless body • EMU police were alerted and family was notified

6. December 16, 2006 • Michigan State police were called to further investigate death • EMU released first statement: “At this point there is no reason to suspect foul play. We are fully confident in the safety and security of our campus environment, and our campus officials will remain vigilant in ensuring safety for all members of our campus community.”

7. February 27, 2007 • Orange Taylor, III was arrested for the rape and murder of Laura Dickinson

8. February 27, 2007 • Details of crime scene released: body found with pillow over head • Medical examiner releases statement to media: “This death was immediately suspicious. Dickinson’s death was caused by probable asphyxiation.”

9. EMU President Responds: “It was reported early on that foul play was not suspected. As the investigation developed, there were serious, strong, and abiding concerns about the raising of information that would prejudice the case. It affected the nature and focus and specificity of the information.”

10. U.S. Department of Education Investigation “EMU failed to disclose information that would enable the campus community to make informed decisions and take necessary precautions to protect themselves, and issued misleading statements from the outset, providing false reassurance that foul play was not suspected.”

11. U.S. Department of Education Investigation Findings • EMU silently engaged in a homicide investigation • Potential suspect an EMU student attending classes on campus • Potential suspect in possession of victim’s dorm room keys • No information disclosed to community regarding possible safety threat

12. Clery Act Requires universities issue timely warning of potential security threats, including: • Arson • Aggravated Assault • Burglary • Criminal Sexual Conduct • Motor Vehicle Theft • Murder • Robbery • Theft from a Vehicle

13. EMU Clery Act Violations 13 violations including: • Failure to issue a timely warning • Lack of a timely warning policy for the campus • Lack of capability to provide campus security

14. October 15, 2007 • Taylor stands trial for rape and murder • Lawyer admits Taylor was in search of marijuana the night of murder • Denied seeing Ms. Dickinson • DNA matched semen found on leg • Mistrial declared October 24, 2007 • Jury deadlocked

15. December 18 ,2007 • EMU fined $357,000 by U.S. Department of Education “Our goal now is the same as it was before: to honor and remember her and to try to create an environment on campus where such an incident will never occur again.” - EMU Regent Jim Stapleton

16. March 31, 2008 • Taylor’s second trial • Concluded April 7, 2008 • Found guilty • First degree felony murder • Assault with intent to commit sexual penetration • Home invasion • Larceny

17. Public Response • Angered students, parents and faculty spoke out to the media about their frustrations • Students held public forums

18. Public Response

19. Public Response

20. Public Response

21. Family Response

22. National Response • EMU gained national media attention for the cover-up

23. The New York Times

24. The Early Show, CBS

25. Larry King Live, CNN

26. Good Morning America

27. The Seattle Times

28. ABC News

29. EMU Takes Action • Increased police foot patrols • Private security service • Text messaging alert system • On-Campus student security “SEEUS” program • Computerized visitor check-in for dormitories • Widespread recruiting campaign

30. WHAT PROBLEMS DOES EMU FACE IN THIS CASE?

31. Problems • Students and parents fear safety and distrust university • Alumni disappointed in university response • Laws were broken • Family of victim further devastated • National media coverage

32. WHAT PROBLEM SHOULD THE EMU COMMUNICATIONS TEAM FACE FIRST?

33. WHAT STEPS SHOULD EMU TAKE NEXT?

34. HOW SHOULD EMU RESPOND AT A LOCAL LEVEL?

35. HOW SHOULD EMU RESPOND AT A NATIONAL and global LEVEL?

36. WHAT MEDIa SHOULD THEY USE TO COMMUNICATE THIS MESSAGE?

37. SHOULD UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS BE PUNISHED OR TERMINATED?

38. HOW COULD EMU CONVINCE PARENTS THEIR CHILDREN ARE SAFE ON CAMPUS?

39. HOW CAN EMU IMPROVE CAMPUS SAFETY AND NOTIFICATION POLICIES?

40. HOW CAN EMU BE SURE THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE IMPLEMENTED AND EFFECTIVE?

41. CAN EMU RAISE TUITION AFTER THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SCANDAL ARE RELEASED?

42. WHAT CAN EMU DO TO ENSURE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN?