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Abstract: 

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) student Laura Dickinson was found dead in her on-campus dormitory room on December 15, 2006. On December 16, 2006, a statement about the death was posted on the University’s website that included the sentence: “At this point, there is no reason to suspect foul play.” On February 23, 2007, Orange Taylor III, an EMU student, was arrested and charged with, among other things, the rape and murder of Ms. Dickinson. Between December 16, 2006, and February 23, 2007, the “no foul play” statement on EMU’s official website was not removed, retracted, or modified, and no statement that arguably constituted a timely warning to the campus community about Ms. Dickinson’s death was ever issued by the University. EMU’s failure to comply with provisions of the Clery Act led to the largest fine ever imposed under the law.

Keywords: Eastern Michigan University (EMU);

Affiliations:  1: Butzel Long; 2: Butzel Long.