SN lawsuit vital for all students

Lindsey Poisson

Almost exactly two years ago, a crime that has become shrouded in controversy was committed on campus. You’ve probably heard this before: Three men — one armed with a handgun and a water bottle containing gasoline — entered a South Hubbard Hall dorm room Feb. 23, 2006, and threatened three occupants. One man poured gasoline on a victim and threatened to light it.

The State News has reported this same bit of news numerous times during the past two years, but the situation is more complex. All of the known information surrounding that day is based on testimony given in court hearings that took place in the summer — months after the incident. It appears several arguments and fights involving the alleged assailants, victims and many other people preceded that day.

But there are still many unanswered questions about what was an unusual occurrence at MSU. How long had these alleged “fights” been going on? Were they caused by MSU students or nonstudents? What happened after the police responded Feb. 23, 2006? Knowing why this incident happened is just as important as knowing what happened, especially if there’s the possibility of a repeated incident.

After several requests — using Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act — made by The State News for an incident report partially detailing the on-campus assault, MSU denied public access to such information. It stated in rejection letters individuals involved in the Hubbard Hall assault had the right to privacy, and turning over the report would inhibit the investigation of the incident and deny defendants a fair trial.

Those defenses seem flimsy considering names and information of people involved in the assault became available through public court hearings — and by the time that case went to court, the investigation was finished. There has been no indication of Hubbard Hall assault defendants being tried unfairly since The State News’ coverage. The only thing left to assume is MSU simply doesn’t want to divulge its information.

Tragedies at Virginia Tech University and Northern Illinois University highlighted the importance of communication between universities and their students about possible dangers and other vital information.

When Eastern Michigan University student Laura Dickinson, 22, was raped and murdered on the Ypsilanti campus in 2006, school officials initially said there was no apparent foul play involved — despite proof they believed otherwise. Crime and critical news isn’t something to downplay or cover up because it might reflect badly on public entities. It should be used to make the public more knowledgeable about their environment and facilitate decision-making.

There’s no denying the MSU community should have the right to know what happens on its campus. That’s why The State News sued the university for information regarding the assault in 2006.

The case went through circuit court — ruling the university didn’t have to divulge the information — as well as the Michigan Court of Appeals. On Tuesday, The State News and MSU will argue before the Michigan Supreme Court in Lansing.

As a State News employee, there’s no question that I appear biased in this matter. But because I was assigned to cover the newspaper’s lawsuit during the summer of 2006, I’ve sat through hours of arguments between MSU attorney Theresa Kelley and State News attorney Herschel Fink. I know the arguments, and I know which ones make more sense.

Most people will agree public entities, namely government, should be transparent and provide citizens necessary information. But I’m sure most people disagree that a two-year-old incident at Hubbard Hall is worth the fight — especially when no one was seriously injured and court hearings provided a lot of the information.

This organization hasn’t spent about $70,000 in attorney fees just for a few pieces of paper that might not have any new information. This fight goes beyond what happened Feb. 23, 2006.

As a student, I have a right to know when an assault or any other serious crime occurs on campus. If a fellow student is murdered or a person goes missing, I don’t want MSU to pick and choose what information is pertinent.

Lindsey Poisson is the State News opinion writer. Reach her at poisson4@msu.edu.

Published on Tuesday, February 26, 2008