What we know right now is that a Ball State student was shot andkilled by a Ball State University Police officer.
That's not enough to start placing blame; it's only enough toforce us to form questions, and everyone at the university —students, faculty, staff, administration and UPD officers andadministrators — needs to start asking them.
Before that process begins, however, our university populationneeds to focus its emotions correctly. Michael McKinney's death isupsetting, but we can't let our anger, fear or outrage interferewith the pursuit of an honest, open review of the situation.
At this point, the university needs to provide outlets for itsstudents so they are able to cope. At the same time, theadministration needs to press the UPD to communicate openly aboutall its findings during the review of the shooting. Theadministration cannot settle for anything less; students need todemand that it doesn't.
As students, we need to focus our emotions toward making surethe university and UPD administrations keep us informed as thesituation develops. We have to ensure we are not skipped during theprocesses of communication. At the same time, students should alsouse one another and the Counseling Center in Lucina Hall if theyneed to talk, vent or work through personal issues as theinvestigation develops.
The UPD badly needs the trust of the university population; theprocess of gaining it begins when the UPD proves it's willing totell us what it knows. The department could use the Forum space inthe Daily News. It could work with the SGA to hold a forumor a discussion open to students, faculty and staff. Whatever itdoes, the UPD has to be sure to inform the university population ofexactly what it's finding as soon as it can.
The UPD, the university administration and the students need tokeep the lines of communication open during the investigation.Silence by any party can only make the situation worse.
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