... Dang, all week people have been flipping out because we made the front page of CNN.Com, or the AP story was picked up by the Guardian, but now I feel like we're truly (in)famous for making Feministing.

My school = awesome /sarcasm

I know how you feel moriath. As an alum who still lives in the area, it's been really disappointing. I was talking to one of my old profs, and, apparently, the admin wanted to cover up a rape that happened on campus, as well, but the prof and several students were so vocal, and alerted the media, so the admins ended up making a release about it. This was last year, as well. I really hope they get someone good in there, soon. It's really depressing to see the instructors and students suffering. I know that some instructors have already been looking for new jobs over their treatment at the hands of the old administration... It's very upsetting.

As I understand it, it's fairly common for universities to try to cover up rape cases. They either pressure the women into dropping charges, or send the men to student-run justice boards instead of , you know, the police.

It's all about looking good for the prospies and the donors.

Totally true.

I was sexually assaulted at college, by a student, at an official school function (an athletic tournament), and everyone from the coaches to the administration worked to keep it from leaking outside the school. I was actually instructed by the Dean of Students (with whom I had a warm, personal relationship up until that point) that I was not allowed to speak a word about the experience to anyone after it had been adjudicated internally. Of course, in my trauma-head, I thought she could enforce that somehow, that somehow his expulsion would be retracted or something if I spoke out. It wasn't until 6 months later that it dawned on me she had no authority to issue a gag order on me.

So I spoke out, and surprise, surprise -- the asswipe was allowed to return to campus two months later.

And, if I'm not mistaken, the rapist/murderer was a student, presumably with at least some access to dorms, classrooms, bathrooms. If they had any evidence pointing to the ultimate suspect, they should have suspended him immediately pending a full investigation. What business does that administration have in putting their female on-campus students at risk? What if that bastard had raped/murdered again? It makes me furious.

Jaclyn, we had the same problem at my school when I was in college. A really popular guy had been accused of rape by several girls over the course of his 4 years there. He was actually a Resident Director with keys to all of the dorm rooms, and I had heard stories about him keying into girls' rooms to attack them. Some girls reported him, but nothing much was done. He was allowed to remain at school and remain an R.D. And after he graduated, he was allowed to be hired as a coach at the school! And just like the Dean of Students in your story, the dean at our school was a complete fascist bitch, too.

My wife is post-bacc'ing at EMU, and that's not the only thing this dude is being (rightfully) sacked for.

You're right, keshmeshi, the accused was a student, who had been caught at least once breaking into other buildings on campus which, in my opinion, means he shouldn't have been on campus at all by the time this crime took place.

As for the firings (for along with our president, the Vice President of Student Affairs and the chief of police were "let go" as well), I think there are two reaons for them: the first is obviously the cover up itself, which is where the VP and CoP are mainly responsible. However, I think the president was fired mostly for incompetence. He claims that he never knew it was a murder investigation. This means he's either lying or is an idiot who can't figure out that maybe he should try to get his information from more than one person!

The Department of Education has found the university guilty of violating federal law by not notifying the campus community in a timely manner of this crime, as well as a handful of other infractions. This means we're going to get fined and could possibly even lose our federal financial aid funding (which has never happened in the history of this law, and I pray won't happen to us. I think 60+% of students receive federal financial aid; we desperately need the money!)

As awful as the whole story is, what really got to me was that they lied to the girl's parents about how she died.

To learn that your daughter was actually raped and murdered when you've probably just begun to cope with the fact that she died at all...

I hope they sue the hell out of EMU. I'm not usually a fan of vengeful lawsuits, but if money and reputation are so very important to them, that ought to hit them where it hurts most.

I go to Eastern, too, and it's about time they fired Fallon--he's a total jackass (I know this from having met and spoke with him and from other crap he's pulled).

He tried to pin it all on Jim Vick and Cindy Hall...

Anyway, I don't know what's worse, the fact that Dickinson's funeral took place without the family knowing yet what really happened, or the fact that me and all the other women on campus went about our business oblivious to the potential threat. ...And that guy used to live in my dorm.

To be fair, Jpettibo, Vick and Hall DID screw up in a major way. Vick ordered the initial report that said foul play suspected to be shredded. Responsible administrators who are honestly looking out for the best interests of the students rather than themselves don't try to hide vital pieces of information. Just because Vick and Hall are allegedly nice people doesn't mean that didn't deserve to get sacked.

Last I heard, the Dickinson family wasn't planning on a lawsuit (though that was before the Department of Ed investigated the school), but some people on the blog EMUTalk.Org are talking about how the students in Hill Hall should look into a Class Action suit (personally, I think everyone on campus should be a part of it, if it were to happen at all).

This whole mess has been horrible, but I'm honestly surprised that it took this long for the news stories to pick it up. The student body has been asking questions about what happened since it happened, and it hasn't been far from our minds. A close friend of mine was the RA on duty when they found her body. It's affected so many people in different ways... and honestly, it isn't that hard to get into the dorms even if you don't have a key. Anyone who's spent any time living or visiting friends on campus will know this. One of the reasons I found it so horrible is because I knew how easy it would be for him to get in there.

But honestly, I wish more than anything that there will be a way to fix this besides sueing. I'm completely for punishing the responsible parties, but people must remember that almost everyone on the campus - students, staff and professors - has wanted answers from day 1 and have ranged from anywhere between extremely frustrated to completely outraged at the lack of information. Sueing the school would hurt many of the people who want to see justice as well - not just those who need to be brought to it.

Sure EMU hasn't had a shining history as of recent for its administration, but it doesn't mean the whole school is bad.

Also, local news reported this a little while ago. I was surprised when it went national now instead of back then.

As awful as the whole story is, what really got to me was that they lied to the girl's parents about how she died. VervainThat is obscene.

I hope they sue the hell out of EMU.

Fuck, yes.