A former resident pediatrician at the University of Michigan Health Systems was found to possess child pornography. Reports revealed that UMHS waited nearly six months to report the incident to University Police.
In light of the recent scandals that shook other colleges including Penn State University and Syracuse University, it’s imperative that the University report all incidents in a timely manner, as long as it does not hinder ongoing investigations. University officials must be extra vigilant when dealing with reports of this nature. Though the Department of Public Safety doesn’t have authority over UMHS security, some groups, like the Senate Advisory Committee for University Affairs, have suggested changing oversight rules. Lapse in procedure not only affects the community’s safety of the community but also taints the overall goodwill that the University works to maintain.
It’s some consolation that University President Mary Sue Coleman called for an internal investigation to determine the cause of the delay. Two outside groups — the U.S. Department of Education and the Joint Commission — are also reviewing the incident. Clearly, the University is aware that such a delay in reporting exposes a faulty and outdated complaint system that warrants investigation. If the investigation reveals the complaint process was properly followed, the University must change the process to ensure the efficient reporting of crimes. It would be unfair to attribute this singular case to an institutional failure of DPS or UHMS, but the upmost care must be taken to ensure the well-being of the community.