Minger Family To Demand Improved Kentucky Campus Crime Reporting Rules

Michael Minger

Frankfort, KY-Gail and John Minger, whose son Michael was killed by an arson fire in his Murray State University residence hall two years ago, will at a Tuesday public hearing call for improvements in proposed campus crime reporting regulations for Kentucky colleges and universities.

Earlier this year Gail Minger persuaded the legislature to enact the "Michael Minger Act" which requires public and private schools to maintain a public crime log, make timely warnings about campus dangers, notify the state fire marshal of all fires, and compile annual campus crime statistics. She was spurred to action after finding out that information about an earlier arson in her son's residence hall was hidden from students, keeping them from taking steps to protect themselves.

"It is unfortunate that educated men and women in these high offices, that are to be examples for our youth, have chosen to hide, cover-up, and withhold reports of criminal activity," said Gail Minger. "The Universities want to put forth an image to the public of a safe environment in order to attract students to their campus. That is why we need strict, clear regulations for the Michael Minger Act."

The Mingers will ask the Council on Postsecondary Education to amend proposed regulations implementing the Minger Act to ensure that information is withheld from the crime log in only the most limited circumstances, and to provide for strict enforcement of the reporting obligations.

Council on Postsecondary Education campus crime reporting hearing:

TIME: 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2000

LOCATION: Council on Postsecondary Education offices
1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 320
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 573-1555

For additional information about the Michael Minger Act please see the Security On Campus, Inc. web site at…

http://campussafety.org/publicpolicy/laws/ky/minger/

A young life was so tragically taken from us. What makes it so very tragic is that this death was preventable. In our society there are random acts of violence that we can do nothing about and that is a terrible part of our society, but when you have a case like Michael's death that took place on a university campus and information was known that could have saved Michael's life and kept from him and his family, that is in my view, criminal.

Information about danger or potential danger in our midst is for all to know in order for people to protect themselves as they see fit. Without this information, you are left in a vulnerable, unsafe situation. This was the whole reason for the introduction and adoption of the legislation now known as the Michael Minger Act. Kentucky state Representative Jim Wayne, Jennifer Hall, Daniel Carter and I devoted many months to seeing this through, to protect our students on our campuses from criminal acts that could injure, maim, or kill.

The Universities want to put forth an image to the public of a safe environment in order to attract students to their campus. After all, Universities are competitive in trying to attract bright, athletic, and talented students. They should not undermine the great programs they have to offer with poor safety rules and regulations and bad or improper reporting of crime that occurs on their campus.

With the Michael Minger Act, the timely and truthful reporting of campus crime is set forth. It is in the best interest of the students, the university and the public at large to understand what is set forth in this Act. Therefore the CPE must devise administrative regulations that follow the intent of the law without allowing confusion or misdirection of those trying to implement and enforce the law.

To undermine the intent of the Michael Minger Act would be a travesty to the horrific death suffered by this young man and make a mockery out of the legislators’ hard work and desire to improve on safety regulations and reporting on college campuses.

It is unfortunate that educated men and women in these high offices, that are to be examples for our youth, have chosen to hide, cover-up, and withhold reports of criminal activity. These actions have led to the assaults, rapes and murder of many of our children in their care. That is why we need strict, clear regulations for the Michael Minger Act.

Gail L. Minger