UM faculty concerned about slow reaction to child porn case

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WXYZ) - The headline on the front page of the Michigan Daily reads: “UMHS under review following porn incident.”

It references the ongoing investigation triggered when a resident at University of Michigan Hospital found pornographic pictures of children on a thumb drive in May, 2011.

The material was allegedly tracked back to 36-year-old Stephen Jenson. Jenson was a fellow resident specializing in internal medicine and pediatrics.

While the incident was eventually reported, there was a delay in getting the case to proper authorities. 

“It was inexcusable for it to be delayed for 6 months and it may have never been reported if it didn’t happen at Penn State,”  said Dr. Douglas Smith. 

Smith has been retired from University of Michigan’s School Of Medicine since 2009.  He plans to push administrators to look into an independent investigation.

Right now, the case is under internal review. It is expected to be completed soon.

Some students on campus are wondering if there are some other circumstances that prevented quicker actions.

“It’s better late than never but if something like that happens it should be brought to the attention as soon as possible or whatever is best for the university,’’ said student Alan Gao.

Coincidentally, after the Penn State sex abuse scandal, an advisory group made up of professors drafted a resolution to ensure a cover up would never happen at U of M.

“We drafted that resolution in the wake of the Penn State issues,“ said Kate Barald of the Senate Advisory Committee of University Affairs. “We wish we knew.”

Monday afternoon the committee agreed to re-introduce the resolution to university administrators.

Another meeting to examine the issue will be held by the regents on February 16th.  Many people are expected to be making public comments during that meeting.