Eastern
Michigan
University
Sacrificing Student
Safety for a Sharper
Image
Case Study
Eastern Michigan University Death on Campus
Sacrificing Student Safety for a Sharper Image
Laura Dickinson, a 22-year-old junior majoring in nutrition, had been dead for days before
university employees found her body on December 15, 2006.1 Laura’s body was locked in her
Hill Hall dorm room on the campus of Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The
university’s first communication to the public announced that no foul play was suspected.
However, as the campus mourned and Dickinson’s family gathered to bury the 22-year-old
rower, the police quietly opened an investigation. In the following two months, university
officials maintained that no foul play had occurred. The medical examiner found semen on
Laura’s body, and authorities subsequently took DNA samples and questioned students and
faculty, eventually leading to the arrest of a fellow student on rape and homicide charges.12
History of Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University (EMU), founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School, is a coeducational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The total student population
averages about 23,000.7 EMU’s annual impact on Michigan’s economy was $3.7 billion in 2008,
reflecting a return of $42 for each dollar received from the state. This annual impact includes
$166 million in state tax revenue, equal to $1.87 for each dollar received from the state.16
Long before Dickinson’s death, EMU had a troubled history. Financial mismanagement, poor
university-state relations and a declining student population are symptoms of the longtime
problems that have beset EMU.6 According to Board Chairman Thomas Sidlik, “Phrases that
have been used to describe the culture here include: lack of respect; personal agendas more
important than EMU goals; bitter personal relationships overriding all other considerations;
constant rumor mongering; and lack of credibility. These characteristics overshadow the
wonderful achievements of our students and faculty.”7 EMU achievements include status as a top
producer of health care professionals (one of the state’s growth industries) and K-12 teachers,
which are a foundation for the new economy.6
Gone Too Soon…
Laura Dickinson, a 22-year-old junior, who was in her first semester at Eastern Michigan
University in the fall of 2006, lived in a single room in Hill Hall, an upper classman dormitory.
Laura was working on her bachelor’s degree in human nutrition and hoped to join the Peace
Corps before pursuing a career as a hospital dietitian. A friend recruited her to the women’s
rowing team. Her fellow rowers would be the last of her friends and family to see her at a team
Christmas party on December 12, 2006.15
Laura’s father, Robert Dickinson of Hastings, Michigan, had tried to reach her on her cell phone
for two days. After failing to reach her, he called the university housing department. Dickinson
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had missed final examinations, and had not returned any phone calls for two days. On December
15, 2006, a custodian unlocked the door of Laura Dickinson’s dorm room, and found her lifeless
body. A university official called her father and explained that his daughter was dead. Mr.
Dickinson, his wife, their two sons, and Laura’s boyfriend drove two hours to the EMU campus.
Mr. Dickinson later told reporters that his daughter suffered from cardiac arrhythmia and had
been short of breath the last time she spoke with her boyfriend on December 12. The family
assumed she had died of a heart attack. Mr. Dickinson said the university would not let his
family take his daughter’s belongings home for two weeks.15
The campus police began an investigation, but soon EMU Lt. Jeffrey Nesmith called in the
Michigan State Police Crime Lab to examine the crime scene.11 EMU police officer Kenneth
Hardesty, the first police officer to enter Dickinson’s dorm room after her body was found,
testified that he only conducted a visual inspection because he “didn’t want to disturb anything in
the room in case it was a crime scene.”13 By 9:30 p.m. on December 15, the county medical
examiner had listed the death as suspicious and decided foul play was a possibility.11
A Note to Students…
The university issued its first statement about Laura’s death on December 16, 2006. The
statement, posted on the university’s website, concluded: “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.” University officials continued to communicate this position, despite the fact that an
investigation was ongoing and the medical examiner and police officials suspected foul play
from the start of the investigation.2, 11
An Arrest in the Murder of Laura Dickinson…
The campus community resumed normal day-to-day life after returning from holiday break that
winter. Students living on campus headed back to their dorm rooms believing the campus was
secure. On February 23, 2007, it was clear that these perceptions were wrong. News broke that
Laura Dickinson’s raped body was found in her dorm room, naked from the waist down, a pillow
covering her face and semen on her leg. The door to her dorm room had been locked, and the
keys she had used to enter the room on December 12 were missing: all facts that were withheld
from the Dickinson family and the campus community
A Detroit law firm hired to investigate the university’s role indicated that within three days of
finding Dickinson’s body, police had concluded Dickinson was likely raped and murdered.10
Two weeks later, police identified Orange Taylor, III, 21, as a suspect based on surveillance
tapes from the residence hall. Security camera footage showed Taylor entering the Hill Hall
dormitory in the early hours of December 13, and leaving 90 minutes later, carrying the gift bag
Dickinson received earlier at the rowing team Christmas party.12 On January 25, police brought
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Taylor in for voluntary questioning and directly asked him if he raped and killed Laura
Dickinson. He denied all allegations and was released.
On February 23, 2007, police arrested Taylor and charged him with rape and murder. On
February 28, 2007, Washtenaw County Medical Examiner Bader Cassin confirmed the death was
immediately suspicious to the media. Cassin completed his report on March 5, 2007 ruling
Dickinson’s death caused by probable asphyxiation.2
The University Responds…
Following Taylor’s arrest, EMU President Fallon made the following statement in attempt to
explain the university’s actions: “It was reported early on that foul play was not suspected. As
the investigation developed, however, 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.”15
The U.S. Department of Education began an investigation into the University’s role in the
murder cover-up. The U.S. Department of Education released a report indicating that 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. The report also noted that
the university remained silent despite the fact that its own police department had identified a
suspect and had been engaged in a homicide investigation with other local law enforcement
agencies. In addition, no warning was given about the potential suspect who may have been in
possession of the victim’s residence hall keys and who was also a student attending classes at
EMU. No information was initially disclosed to the campus community regarding the possible
safety threat.8
A Community Betrayed and Unsafe…
The revelation of a murder on campus set off complaints from students and parents, as well as a
Department of Education probe that found EMU in violation of the federal Clery Act.9 The Clery
Act, named in memory of 19-year-old Lehigh University freshman Jeanne Ann Clery, who was
raped and murdered in her dorm in 1986 by another Lehigh student whom she did not know,
requires universities to issue timely warnings of potential security threats. Since the law was
enacted, three other universities have been fined under the law: Mount St. Clare College (now
called Ashford University) in Iowa, Salem International University in West Virginia, and Miami
University in Ohio.8
Clery Act categories include arson, aggravated assault, burglary, criminal sexual conduct, motor
vehicle theft, murder, robbery and theft from a vehicle. The act requires timely warning and
accurate statistics regarding campus crimes.17 The investigation on EMU revealed 13 violations
of the act including:
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Failure to issue a “timely warning” campus alert
Lack of a “timely warning” policy for the campus
Lack of capability to provide campus security
Failure to maintain a campus crime log
Improperly disclosing crime statistics for 2003-2005
Incomplete reports of crimes
Lack of policy on preparing crime statistics
In public forums at EMU and in media interviews, many students said they felt betrayed by
administrators and unsafe on campus.15
“They kept telling us there was no cause for alarm; we were sleeping through this girl being
murdered in her room. It just seems like they were really holding stuff back from us,” said Asia
David, 20, who lived a few floors above Ms. Dickinson.11
“I felt like they were really lying to us by saying that there was no foul play even suspected,”
said Jessica Richardson, a sophomore at EMU. She was alarmed by Mr. Taylor’s arrest, as her
resident advisor told her that Ms. Dickinson’s death was a suicide.15
Michael C. Garrison, a junior, said most students have become distrustful of the University
Administration.
“It’s terrible for all the students that have to go through this. I just think whoever’s responsible
should be gone,” said Jason Gardner, an EMU commuter.7
“Sometimes a few short words can make all the difference,” said Victor Walker, EMU student,
“Even if it had been ‘we are not sure, but we may have a possible homicide.’ I don’t know
anyone who’s going to run out in the street howling and screaming if they say that. But then you
don’t walk around with your head in the clouds not believing you could fall victim to the same
thing.”12
We Always Suspected Something Else Happened…
Dickenson’s family had accepted her death as the result of a heart attack caused by cardiac
arrhythmia and the stress of final exams. “We always suspected something had happened besides
something natural, but we had no idea what,” said Mr. Dickinson. He did not see the medical
examiner’s report until after the suspect was arrested.11
Mr. Dickinson does not fault EMU officials for the handling of his daughter’s case. “Our belief
is that they didn’t want the suspect to take off or flee because he knew they were looking for
somebody. If what they did was to that end, then it needed to happen.”15
The Board of Regents ordered an independent investigation by a law firm in March 2007. A 568page report, released June 8, revealed that the vice president of student affairs, the public safety
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chief and the university’s communications office had known that Ms. Dickinson’s death was
probably a homicide but had kept the information secret. The law firm also found that a police
document containing lurid details about the crime scene was ordered to be shredded by James
Vick, the vice president for student affairs.11
At trial, Taylor’s lawyer told the jury that Taylor was in search of marijuana that night. Taylor
admitted a habit of roaming through dorms to steal computers. He said he had entered a student’s
room that was unlocked, but denied seeing Ms. Dickinson. A sample of his DNA, however,
matched DNA found on her body. Campus police had questioned Taylor at least twice before he
was named a suspect. In 2005, he was caught climbing through the window of a university
building. He told police he was “looking for girls and activity on campus.”3
Following the trial, Donald M. Loppnow, EMU executive vice president and provost stated, “We
know the university mishandled that situation and the Clery Act requirements. And we have
corrected that. Our goal is to end up being a positive benchmark for campus safety and security
in the whole higher education community.”2
Considerable Costs:
Orange Taylor’s first trial began on October 15, 2007. A mistrial was declared on October 24,
2007 because the jury was deadlocked. December 13, 2007, EMU announced it would pay $2.5
million to Dickinson’s family. Under the settlement agreement, EMU did not admit any liability
in connection with her death.2
On December 18, 2007, the U.S. Department of Education fined EMU $357,000 for “serious,
numerous and repeated” violations of a campus security law in the cover-up of the suspected
rape and killing of Dickinson in her dorm room. “We hope that this can bring closure for the
Dickinson’s and for the university community,” said EMU Regent Jim Stapleton, “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.”6
Taylor’s second trial began on March 31, 2008, and concluded on April 7, 2008. Taylor was
found guilty of first-degree felony murder, assault with intent to commit sexual penetration,
home invasion, and larceny in Dickinson’s death.
EMU was featured in national news headlines and on television: CNN, Good Morning America,
and ABC News, among others. The trials of Orange Taylor were shown on Court TV. At
EMUTalk.org, faculty, students, alumni, and the community posted blogs and comments on
articles regarding the case. Unfortunately, The Eastern Echo, EMU’s college newspaper, has
since deleted all of its archived articles on the event.
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EMU began to make changes to its structure and processes to ensure no similar scenario would
occur again. To increase campus safety, EMU increased visibility of police foot patrols and
visibility and continued private security service and the emergency text messaging alert system.
However, the emergency text messaging system has not been successful: only 3,957 of the
24,000 EMU students had signed up for the system as of September 5, 2008. Campus security is
working towards a solution for encouraging students to sign up; in the mean time, students have
indicated they are still fearful for their safety. Incoming freshman Abby Cole said of coming to
EMU, “I was nervous because of the (Laura Dickinson) murder when I heard about it, but once I
went to Fusion (orientation) and I found out that there was a SEEUS program, it made me feel a
lot better.” SEEUS is a program that employs students as escorts around campus for students
who are at campus late at night. A computerized system at the dormitories has been added to
check visitors in and out during night watch.17
EMU welcomed a larger freshman class for the fall 2007 semester, and Tom Green, EMU vice
president for enrollment management said, “To have that increase in freshmen is pretty
remarkable, given all that has happened.” However, overall enrollment decreased 0.8 percent to
22,783 students from 22,973 students in 2006. Overall, the student population decreased 5.8
percent since 2002.
EMU conducted a widespread recruiting campaign, including personal calls from faculty to
students who had not re-enrolled and increased mailings and e-mails to newly admitted students
who had not yet committed to EMU. Some guerilla marketing efforts were also used. For
example, a random drawing was held for students enrolled by August 10, 2007, for $300 grants,
and a promotional event, “Explore Eastern” was held.19
A branding campaign was launched on September 7, 2007; “Education First” was designed to
send a consistent message to ensure that EMU’s presence in the educational community was
known. This campaign included billboards, reviving the website, TV commercial spots during
EMU events on FOX, press releases in college guides and newspapers, 250 light-post banners,
print advertisements, LED advertising at professional sporting events, bus signage, high school
student recruitment campaigns, and license plate frames.19
EMU student body president, Greg Jones said, “Now is the chance to improve our
communication and security. The benefit of the recent national exposition of EMU’s
shortcomings is that we can no longer hide from the issues that prevent us from excelling to our
full potential.”4
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Discussion Questions:
1. What appears to be the problem facing Eastern Michigan University in this case?
2. Who are the key stakeholders?
3. What problem should the Eastern Michigan University Communications team address
first?
4. What steps should EMU take to resolve the scandal?
a. How should EMU respond at the local, national, and global level?
b. What media should EMU use to communicate its message?
5. Should the president and other university administrators be punished or terminated?
6. How could EMU convince parents that the campus is a safe place to send their children?
7. What steps should be taken to improve the University’s public safety and notification
policies?
a. How can they be sure they are implemented?
8. How could the EMU communications team rationalize a rise in tuition to its students after
the costs associated with the scandal were released?
9. What does EMU need to do to ensure a similar scandal does not occur in the future?
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References
1. "EMU Murder Violations to Cost $4+ Million." Women in Higher Education 17.2
(2008). Print.
2. Schultz, Marisa. "Feds Slap EMU with $258k Fine; Officials Cite Security Lapses
Related to Student's Suspicious Death in Dorm." Detroit News 19 Dec. 2007, A1 sec.
Print.
3. Schultz, Marisa. "Eastern Michigan to Pay Family of Slain Student $2.5 Million." The
Detroit News 14 Dec. 2007. Print.
4. Schultz, Marisa. "EMU Dorm Death Deal Set: $2.5 Million; College Admits No
Liability, Family Agree to Stay Mum." The Detroit News 14 Dec. 2007, B1 sec. Print.
5. P.J., Huffstutter. "3 Fired in Dorm Death Cover0up: President, Two Other Officials out
after Feds Find Administrators Concealed Rape, Murder of Student." Charleston Dialy
Mail 17 July 2007, 3A sec. Print.
6. "EMU Must Rebuild Trust with State and Students." Detroit News 17 July 2007, A8 sec.
Print.
7. Schultz, Marisa. "EMU Regents Promise Change after Firings; President, 2 Others
Ousted after Handling of Rape, Murder in Dorm." Detroit News 17 July 2007, A1 sec.
Print.
8. Lipka, Sara. "Eastern Michigan U. Is Found to Violate Crime-Reporting Law on Multiple
Counts." The Chronicle of Higher Education 53.45 (2007): A25. Print.
9. Marisa, Schultz. "Feds Clarify EMU Crime Report; Letter to President Says Report
Misinterpreted When Fallon Knew Dorm Death Was a Homicide." Detroit News 6 July
2007, B1 sec. Print.
10. Schultz, Marisa. "Feds: EMU Misled Students; Victim's Kin, Security Group Applaud
Report That Cites Failure to Alert Pupils of Campus Slaying." Detroit News 4 July 2007,
B.1 sec. Print.
11. "University Officials Accused of Hiding Campus Homicide." The New York Times 24
June 2007, The Associated Press ed., A.17 sec. Print.
12. Kari, Lydersen. "University Accused of Lying to Hide Killing; Eastern Michigan Official
Apologizes." The Washington Post 2007 June 21, A.10 sec. Print.
13. Menard, Joe. "Police Had Suspicions of Murder in EMU Case; Investigators Say They
Suspected Woman Was Killed, despite School's Claims of No Foul Play." Detroit News
23 Mar. 2007, B.1 sec. Print.
14. Shamus, Kristen J. "Law Firm to Probe EMU over Death." Tribune Business News
[Washington] 22 Mar. 2007: 1. Print.
15. Lipka, Sara. "A University Is Accused of Hushing Up a Murder." The Chronicle of
Higher Education A.1 53.9 (2007). Print.
16. "Eastern Michigan Has Significant Economic and Social Impact on Local and State
Economy." PR Newswire 2009 Sept. 2009. ProQuest. Web.
17. "Eastern Michigan University Newest Safety Tool Is Crime Mapping." PR Newswire 10
June 2009. ProQuest. Web.
18. Larcom, G. (2007, September 18). EMU battles to reverse downward enrollment trend.
Ann Arbor News.
19. EMU launches new brand campaign; “education first” tagline unifies university’s
communications. (2007, September 4). http://www.emich.edu/focus_emu/090407/index
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