<p>No, I don’t believe that’s correct. Erickson was executive vice president and provost—the university’s chief academic officer–before being named interim president after Spanier was dismissed. He held an administrative position, not a Board position. The provost reports directly to the president, and if I understand Penn State’s organizational structure correctly, the athletic director also reports directly to the president. So Erickson would have been outside the chain of command of those whose responsibility it was to deal with the Sandusky problem. I’m not try to give him cover; I really don’t know anything about the guy, one way or the other. But I think it’s unfair to place him somewhere within the command structure that he wasn’t. I think that’s why the Board decided they could make him interim president–he wasn’t implicated in the Sandusky affair in any way, he was just running Penn State’s academic programs.</p>
<p>From what I have heard, the number of companies signing up for spring recruitment is up about 10% BECAUSE of the positive efforts being made by the PSU students (candle-light vigil, “white-out” game with Nebraska). Companies are seeing how the vast majority of students are handling this difficult situation and they like what they see. </p>
<p>^^You’re welcome, but I didn’t say I wouldn’t change a thing. Quite the contrary. I’d definitely put the football program on a very short leash, and I’d push for broad cultural changes over time such that the school no longer derives it’s so much of its self-identity primarily from football. And I’d also reform the administration so that it provides MUCH better oversight and accountability for whatever is going on in the athletic department.</p>
<p>I’d try to create an environment at the school where in the future no one would ever DREAM of putting the interests of the football program above the interests of crime victims.</p>
<p>GRCxx3 - I have no dog in this fight. By saying my mind is boggled, I was saying that I cannot understand ~why~ someone would feel comfortable having their child there. You do, and you have stated as such, but you really haven’t articulated what about the situation you feel comfortable with. </p>
<p>Do you feel that the Board of Trustees has acted wisely and will act wisely in the future concerning this entire situation? ~ I don’t see much evidence that they are moving forward productively or intelligently. </p>
<p>Do you feel that the investigation by the US Department of Education is not going to affect PSU’s ability to qualify for federal grants concerning projects that have nothing to do with football? This investigation has just started and is on-going. This kind of scrutiny is going to have an effect on money (Federal and otherwise) that PSU applies for to fund special projects and research from the physics department to the communications program. To say that the way that leadership handled (mis-handled) this situation and the consequences of such are going to have <em>no</em> effect on the rest of the school and its academic programs is being too optimistic (in my opinion.) </p>
<p>Do you feel that this scandal will not affect PSU’s ability to attract top faculty to Happy Valley? </p>
<p>This thing is not really much about football. As you stated so eloquently, it’s about SOOOOOO much more. It’s about the culture of an institution that I can’t see is making any positive changes (except in the powers leading the football team) at the moment. </p>
<p>I’m saying I am befuddled that someone would confidently send a kid back into this mess. You seem completely happy with your decision. I guess I’m just trying to understand it.</p>
<p>Or perhaps it is because of an increase in hiring nationally. Here are results from the annual survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers:
<p>“Do you feel that the Board of Trustees has acted wisely and will act wisely in the future concerning this entire situation?”</p>
<p>Not entirely, but I think they acted wisely based on the information they were given. We can rehash this point til the cows come home and clearly there will be no consensus. Nor is consensus required.</p>
<p>"Do you feel that the investigation by the US Department of Education is not going to affect PSU’s ability to qualify for federal grants concerning projects that have nothing to do with football? This investigation has just started and is on-going. This kind of scrutiny is going to have an effect on money (Federal and otherwise) that PSU applies for to fund special projects and research from the physics department to the communications program. "</p>
<p>I don’t think the Dept of Ed is doing much more than going through the motions and they are scrutinizing child protection policies/reporting policies, not grant applications. No, I don’t think it has, will , or is going to effect the money coming to PSU. The research PSU does in many fields is far more important than the political comfort of throttling money just for show. And the Dept of Ed knows that. The State of PA is sure to grandstand their continued non-support of PSU as a reaction to the scandal, but already has a clear pattern of decreasing funding year-to-year. The monetary effect will mostly be felt in Spanier’s absence – he loved building things with free federal money.</p>
<p>"Do you feel that this scandal will not affect PSU’s ability to attract top faculty to Happy Valley? "</p>
<p>Well, I’m not a professional academic, but I was under the impression that top academic positions are difficult to find and open up infrequently. Maybe some unemployed professors and post-docs will want to stay up on their high horse of blanket condemnation, but my guess is plenty of them will be interested in positions across the PSU system of schools. </p>
<p>Your “boggled” self can rest easy in your lack of understanding. I am not concerned about the U’s ability to educate my 2 students as related to this horrific nightmare. (I do have concerns, but those are related to the SIZE of the place) You might better spend your time making sure that wherever your student goes is, in fact, doing a better job with child protection policies and administration issues. I’m sure you will thoroughly investigate those administrators and read up on all the policies, and choose a university or college that meets every single criteria. Because someplace there’s a perfect school with perfect people, right?</p>
<p>Laurendog, my S is a freshman at PennState and when this scandal broke I was horrified. To think that any person or organization would not put the safety of a young child as their first priority is beyond my comprehension. I of course worried about my own childs safety and then worried whether this scandal would change the level of teaching and even the cost of attending. I spoke with my son and he was saddened by the entire affair but adamant that his experience at Penn State has been completely positive. </p>
<p>My S is a freshman majoring in Engineering and his first term grades were excellent. He loves his classes. I recently spoke with him on the phone and he told me that his Physics class is intriguing and his Economics professor is awesome. He is also an athlete and has become good friends with many of his teammates. His dorm floor has become like a second family to him. </p>
<p>Currently he is creating a resume so that he can apply for summer internships/jobs. He is aware that the questions of the scandal may come up in interviews and this has forced him to really examine the situation and his feelings about it. Unfortunately life is messy and sometime it is better to confront the mess and work to help clean it up, instead of running away.</p>
<p>The scandal and it all of the possible fall-out still worries me, but my son is the first priority in my life and he is thriving at Penn State, because of this I can confidently send him back.</p>
<p>I think that the point here is “different strokes for different folks”. Again, if my D had started at PSU (which she had every intention of doing until she visited another campus that was an even better fit), I would be very conflicted, disappointed and concerned when the news broke but I would not have suggested she withdraw. Once a student is happy and successful in a college setting, are we really going to mess with that?</p>
<p>I also think that it is a valid (if somewhat sarcastic) point that Greenbutton makes about the possibility and even likelihood of ethical issues at other colleges. Hopefully none of us will ever have to find out. I, for one, used the issue at Penn State as an opportunity to speak to my D about the issue of crime on campus and the best way to handle it should something happen to her or to a friend. We talked about the college vs. city police, etc. No college is immune and all of them are looking out for themselves. Sometimes to the detriment of the victims.</p>
<p>Thanks “mainstone” for that thoughtful reply. You shed a lot of light into the mind of a PSU parent. I appreciate your response! Good luck to your son.</p>
<p>laurendog – To be honest, I don’t have to explain “why” I am comfortable having my DS at Penn State to you or anyone. But I guess this is really baffling for some people, so I will try.</p>
<p>RE the Board of Trustees – No, not really happy with how they responded, but I think they did the best they could under the circumstances. The truth is – no matter WHAT they did, there would be people unhappy with their actions. Definitely a no-win situation.</p>
<p>Re the DoE investigation – as greenbutton stated, I don’t think it will have a big impact on grant money. There is a lot of good research going on and that will keep the money coming in. They are investigating administrative policies and issues – not educational/academic quality.</p>
<p>RE attracting faculty – from my experience, unless a faculty member is interested in moving up into administrative roles, most top/tenured professors tend to stay put, so there aren’t that many openings. But, again, there is a lot of good research going on and a lot of programs considered top-notch, and I think that will still be attractive to faculty members in those areas.</p>
<p>Now, continuing the thoughts of mainstone……
My son is a thoroughly happy PSU sophomore (okay, he’ll be much happier when winter is over!).<br>
He was admitted to his academic ENGR major program at the end of his freshman year, is enjoying his classes, is getting to know his major professors, is being challenged in the classroom, is working on real-world type problems, won an award for ENGR design, and is maintaining the GPA needed for the honors college.<br>
He loves being part of the PSU Blue Band and understands that as a Blue Band member, he represents Penn State at all times. He takes that responsibility very seriously.
His best friends are fellow Blue Band members, many of whom are also ENGR majors. He will be sharing an apartment with several of them next year.
He was horrified by the actions of Sandusky, furious at the inaction of others, and embarrassed by the behavior of the minority of students who felt the need to make fools of themselves.
He loves performing for the fans at football games, but is not that big a football fan and didn’t know who Paterno was until he started there.
He also enjoys playing/performing for wrestling matches, alumni gatherings, basketball/volleyball games, and other special events.</p>
<p>As a parent….
I do not worry about my child’s safety as I am fully confident of his ability to take care of himself.
I am glad that all of his professors allowed as much classroom time as needed to discuss what was going on, letting the students ask questions and express their feelings and frustrations.
I am grateful for the understanding demonstrated by his professors with respect to the intense time commitment required for Blue Band members during the fall semester.<br>
I appreciate the flexibility that all of his professors have offered as he pursues his passion for music with monthly drum corps camps during the spring semester.
I am very grateful for the wonderful staff at the Nittany Lion Inn who have warmly welcomed him on many occasions when he has flown into State College prior to dorms opening.<br>
I am thrilled that he is pursuing a degree program at PSU that is considered one of the best in the country.
I am happy that he proudly wore his PSU Blue Band sweatshirt when traveling to various cities/states over the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. He has done nothing wrong and has nothing of which to be ashamed. </p>
<p>I hope that helps you to understand why we are still confident and comfortable with DS continuing his studies at Penn State. We are very proud to be parents of a Penn State student.</p>
<p>laurendog - I apologize for the late reply to your query. I just arrived back at my overseas location and the time difference and jet lag have screwed up my internal clock!</p>
<p>coase - my comment regarding why more recruiters are coming to PSU is based on an email that Dr. Erickson sent to a prospective student. I do not feel comfortable quoting from that personal email, but here is a notice from the Director of Career Services:</p>
<p>“Career Services will hold our Spring Career Days on February 6th and 7th. As of today, 289 employers have registered to participate representing a 12% increase over last springs activity.”</p>
<p>Grcxx–excellent post about PSU
Your s sounds like he’s having a solid and positive experience and education, what all of us hope our kids have.
Sent from my MB860 using CC App</p>
<p>I hope everyone continues to have a positive experience at Penn State. My niece graduated in 2010 (engineering). She got really burned out on the place, and that really happened in her last 2 years- especially the last year. She was very gung-ho for awhile, but her courses were difficult, and she had trouble maintaining the enthusiasm for the football stuff and partying. She was really ready to graduate and get back to Philadelphia. She also found the career services very lacking, and the excellent job she found was the result of her independent efforts (and a prior internship that she also got without help from career services or OCR). She is well-adjusted and independent, and did well (after a pretty poor first semester), but 4 years of that culture was about 1 1/2 too much.</p>
<p><<…but 4 years of that culture was about 1 1/2 too much. >></p>
<p>I think it depends on how much of “that culture” you participate in. If you live and breathe for football and partying (or if you don’t but all your friends do), then I can see burn-out happening. As with life, it’s all about balance.</p>
<p>And to be honest, thinking back to my college days, I think some level of burn-out toward the end is normal. “Senior-itis” on a college-scale.</p>
<p>MOWC - I apologize if it sounded like I was dismissing or trivializing your neice’s feelings. I can perfectly understand them, but I just don’t think they are feelings confined to Penn State. I have several friends with children who are either ready to graduate or recently graduated - and they all have/had similar feelings. And these are schools scattered from Texas to North Carolina to Louisiana to Washington.</p>