WHY they have to go

Someone emailed me about this and so I'm guessing there are more who haven't emailed me on this yet do wonder WHY I say Fallon, Vick and Hall have to resign/be fired.

I DO NOT enjoy getting my Eastern Michigan University news from the Los Angeles Times. I don't like reading about EMU in the New York Times. I don't like seeing EMU on MSNBC.

Not for the reasons we're discussing here. And since EMU isn't exactly a school that normally garners national media attention (sans a couple of REALLY COOL runs in the NCAA basketball tournament years ago) reading and watching EMU news has been painful. Think about it, HOW BAD must this have been to get the LA Times to write an article?

Another reason, and perhaps the greatest reason they all must go is for the future of the school. The reputation of Eastern Michigan University MUST be protected. I know I know, what reputation is left to protect? Kids aren't stupid. I would imagine 5 years from now a kid from Brighton will be deciding between EMU and Western Michigan or Central Michigan as a college of choice. When they Google EMU, GUESS what they'll see, sordid tales of a murder and a coverup. 95% of this entire story HAS BEEN THE COVERUP. While there is no excuse, some college campuses have murders. EMU has had a few, as has the University of Michigan, Michigan State, even Lehigh University, where the Clery Act originated have felt the pain of a campus murder. The coverup in EMU's case is what will hurt much longer than the immediate pain of Ms. Dickinson's death. The reputation going forward must be one of above the fray, always honest, and hard working to improve academics at EMU.

The future of EMU begins here, TODAY, RIGHT NOW. While the slate will not be wiped clean of this stain, the slate CAN be wiped clean of those involved. In time, this helps lessen the impact of what the slate still shows.

EMU is THE top teaching university around. Bar none. They have some pretty darned good other programs as well. As of TODAY these MUST be and HAVE to be the ONLY Priority of the new EMU President. Academics, Academics, Academics, say it like Steve Ballmer to IT 'Developers'.

EMU will rise from the ashes of Orange Taylor III's stupid, selfish, horrendous act. Many were scorched by it but it will not define EMU forever is my hope. That wonderful teaching college with a lot to offer other students in a friendly small time college atmosphere in a neat sleepy blue collar town is where EMU needs to get back to, and that journey begins anew, here today.