Eastern Michigan University statement regarding Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office decision to not pursue Ethnic Intimidation charges in Best Hall case

Eastern Michigan University Police took the case very seriously, dedicating extensive resources to the interviews of all key parties and other matters related to the investigation. 

The results of the EMU Police investigation were assembled in a 17-page report to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office, and included a warrant request for a charge of Ethnic Intimidation. 

On Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office advised EMU Police that after its review, it had declined to authorize an Ethnic Intimidation charge in the case: Prosecutor’s decision.

The student conduct investigation, conducted by the University’s Office of Wellness and Community Standards, remains ongoing. Given federal privacy laws governing student records, the University is not able to provide details of that investigation. 

This Prosecutor's decision in this case does not change how the University views this situation. The University remains deeply committed to the overarching principles of attacking both the historical legacies, and the current realities, of racism and hate in all of their forms. This is a nationwide struggle. We are not alone, we are not immune from it, and we will not shy away from it. This commitment was clearly articulated in the message to the Eastern Michigan University community from President James Smith on Feb. 13. We will continue to provide updates to the campus on initiatives that are underway, and that we plan to launch, in the coming weeks, months, and years to support minoritized members of our community and to continually educate our campus about these important issues.

February 27, 2019

Written by:
Official Statements

Media Contact:
Geoff Larcom
glarcom@emich.edu
734-487-4400