The Aftermath of Tragedy on Campus - 2010 Legal Issues in Higher Education Conference, Margolis Healy & Associates, LLC

The Aftermath of Tragedy on Campus Dr. Gary J. Margolis Steven J. Healy Jeffrey J. Nolan, Esq.

Suspect on the Loose at Delaware State© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

AGENDA • MGQ Case Example • Challenges (Students, Faculty/Staff, Media) • Legal Issues • Collaboration • Lessons Learned© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Michelle Gardner-Quinn© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Media Coverage© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

The Facts • Report missing on Saturday, Oct 7, 2006 by parents at UVM for parent’s weekend • Last seen in the early morning hours returning to campus • In cell phone contact with friends when her phone failed • Made a call from a borrowed cell phone© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

The Missing Person Case • Recognized immediately as an unusual case by police investigators • Campus/city fear and anxiety • National media arrived Tuesday (10/10/06) • Staging and media management concerns arise© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Investigation & Response • 70-plus local, state and federal investigators • Search & Rescue Teams • 24/7 Command Post at BPD • Family liaison • Media liaison • University EOC© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

The Suspect: Brian Rooney© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Why the National Attention? • Vermont & the University of Vermont • Suspected foul play - abduction/ kidnapping • Media indicated that had this been a “routine” rape/murder investigation without the disappearance, then it would have carried little national interest© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Challenges: STUDENTS • Those directly involved (guilt/trauma) • Residential community • Re-victimization • Students wanting to help • Prayer Vigils, Memorial Services, Contemplative Spaces • Counseling services© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Challenges: FACULTY/STAFF • Impact on student services personnel • Counseling Staff / EAP Support • Perception of safety • Security demands • IT & phone staff • Faculty support© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Challenges: MEDIA • Logistics of managing local and national news crews (competing interests) • Media biases • Press conference schedule - “Feed the Beast” • Website and server challenges (managing constant media calls) • Family’s privacy vs. Media access© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Interviews • “Talk Shows” vs. “News”: What to consider before appearing on Greta, Nancy, Geraldo or Bill • Prevalence of misinformation • Impact of national television re: leads and tips • Coordinating family statements© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Communications • Are you communicating appropriately? • Are you saying the “right” things? • Victim-blaming • Message box should include - Compassion - Sensitivity - Caring© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Legal Issues: Communications• Potential Liability Issues (tragedies on campus/ connected with institutions) - Anything you say can and will be used against you! - Have counsel work with public relations on statements• FERPA Issues - Rights of student victims - Rights of roommates, other connected students© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Collaboration • Media (local and national) • University Departments • City Departments • Local, State and Federal Law Enforcement • Other IHEs • NGOs© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Lessons Learned: Stafﬁng • Counseling Center & Employee Assistance • Stafﬁng Support (student services, public safety, food services, admin) • Policies on school closure • After Action Reviews© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Lessons Learned: Crisis Communication Plan • Website and servers • Media list-serve (eliminated media interruptions) • Voicemail access for community • Media brieﬁng schedule & location • Public safety forums (city and campus) • Who speaks to media and related legal issues© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Lessons Learned: Media Management • Relationship with media (local/national) • Staging area - Away from department - Accessible - As agreeable as is possible • Mitigate conﬂicts with national talk show programs’ interview schedules • Negotiate to prevent interference with investigation • Support family in media relations© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew

Lessons Learned: Town/Gown Relations • Relationships - Town/Gown - University internal - State/Local/Federal • Campus resources - Dining Services - Print Services - Technology & IT Infrastructure - PIO© Margolis, Healy & Associates, LLC & Dinse Knapp & McAndrew 22

Contact Information Steven J. Healy Dr. Gary Margolis Jeffrey J. Nolan, Esq. Margolis, Healy and Associates Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.C. 1-866-817-5817 1-802-864-5751 www.margolis-healy.com jnolan@dinse.comwww.CampusCrimePrevention.org www.dinse.comwww.CampusThreatAssessment.org

The Aftermath of Tragedy on Campus - 2010 Legal Issues in Higher Education Conference, Margolis Healy & Associates, LLC

by Margolis Healy & Associates on Mar 16, 2012

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The Aftermath of Tragedy on Campus - 2010 Legal Issues in Higher Education Conference, Margolis Healy & Associates, LLC Presentation Transcript