Monday, July 16, 2007

University presidents and cover-ups

If you haven't heard about the ongoing scandal at Eastern Michigan University, involving its president, administration, and the murder of a student, details are here, occasioned by (finally) the president's firing last night by the EMU Board of Regents. Basically, what happened was this: a student was murdered in her dorm room at Eastern late last fall. For weeks, the school administration claimed her death was accidental and that no foul play was suspected. But then, suddenly in February of this year a male student was arrested for her murder. Since then, evidence has come forth indicating that several in the university administration sought to cover up the fact that the student had been murdered, fearing that such news would harm the school's image.

As if the school's image is in great shape now.

I mention this story to highlight what I think is fast becoming a fundamental in our society: never trust bureaucracies and administrations. Too often, they're defensive, seeking to hide information, and far from always concerned with what's right.