We discovered a scandalous amount of campus crime information which Lehigh University administrators withheld from students and parents. One of the key loopholes that this legislation would eliminate is the system of secret on-campus disciplinary proceedings that deal not only with academic affairs such as cheating, but also criminal misconduct. The secrecy they have been allowed to operate under only serves to paralyze the entire community from protecting itself against violence on campus. Markiewicz and the current editor, Emily Hebert, are involved in a lawsuit seeking access to disciplinary board information. Thorpe, who missed a year of school after the assault, is now suing Virginia State University and calling on Congress to reform the system.
Experts also contend that the under-reporting of crime is wide spread.
Student journalists are often prevented from informing their communities about the same types of incidents that their professional peers write and broadcast about every day of the year. This bill is very important to anyone who has anything to do with colleges, the students, the faculty, the parents and the neighbors. We urge all of them to contact their legislators and encourage them to vote in favor of the public's right to know.