<p>The university is hopefully looking into how they should proceed with Curley, Schutlz and Spanier, along with a number of others who did not comply with the law or exercise judgment about children’s welfare.</p>
<p>Hopefully the State DA is doing a more comprehensive examination on Corbett and others’ involvement, Mini’s “follow the money” should be done. </p>
<p>There are certain procedures in place in any organization that might have precendence and have to be followed. Pensions often have protection against “bad boy” behavior, people who go on administrative leave when accused of a crime or for any reason may “freeze the clock” until the boom is lowered, so Schultz and Curley may be under such protection. The same with Spanier, who has yet to be accused of anything. The process should be done carefully and properly, or it could jeopardize the outcome. Many a criminal trial has been compromised by those who were overzealous in punishing and taking short cuts in procedures. That should not happen. I was afraid it was happeing with Sandusky. With all of the evidence and counts against him, something as foolhardy as doing something technically wrong to cause things to get thrown out, was more possible IMO than him beating all of those charges with all of those victims testifying.</p>
<p>I have no problem with sports and, as far as I know PSU has great academic programs, but the fact is that children were terribly abused in the name of the football program there. Notice should be taken. And why is a football program so important anyway?</p>
<p>I had stated and still believe that the victims should have had some voice in this. Perhaps there would have been no consensus. Perhaps what they want might not be the way to go, but that they are being ignored still, makes no sense to me. </p>
<p>The football program is very important at Penn State because it is a BIG money maker for the university as well as a big draw in terms of applications. Those are facts.</p>
<p>How many times must it be explained? The UNIVERSITY screwed up. But according to you, apparently rape has never occurred before and cover-up of a crime had also never occurred until Penn State Football.</p>
<p>I wonder how many administrators at other universities are cringing now, knowing that they have covered up some dirty secrets at their schools. Hopefuully none involve child abuse.</p>
<p>Hop_scout, I have never known about something like this done systematically and over a period of time. Rape occurs a lot, way too many time. So does cover up of crime. But not in such a systematic way.</p>
<p>I tend to advocate towards the rights of the accused. Not that I think that they are usually innocent and falsely accused; I well know that the opposite is true. But I think it is very important that things are handled properly and that our “innocent until proven guilty” mantra is upheld. We have too many citizens incarcerated as it is. </p>
<p>Yes, the UNIVERSITY screwed up. But the screw up was in the athletic department and specifically involved football. </p>
<p>The university announced after the Sandusky verdict that all victims would get counseling. Yet, it apparently is not working with the victims in explaining its decisions on what it is doing.in response to the verdict and the Freeh report. I hope some overtures are being made but it doesn 't appear that any are.</p>
<p>cpt - I am not familiar with how things are handled in a situation like this, but would it be normal (and nothing seems “normal” anymore) for an institution/organization to be in communication with the victims with respect to investigations, decisions, courses of action, etc?</p>
<p>After the release of the Freeh report, it was no secret that there were discussions about removing the Paterno statue, and it was also well-known that the NCAA was going to come down hard on the university. If the victims had very strong feelings (one way or another) regarding these things - would it have been appropriate for them (through their attorneys) to contact either the school or the NCAA?</p>
<p>And, if so, is this something the university or the NCAA should have taken into consideration?</p>
<p>Football is only part of it. The Department of Education is investigating the university for other crimes that it chose not to report. And the university is being investigated for numerous other violations that have nothing to do with football.</p>
<p>@Grcxx3, I stand corrected. Unfortunately, there are critical comments directed towards those choosing to attend PSU. I have my opinion regarding the way the situation was handled, but people have a right to attend whatever school they choose and criticism of that decision is uncalled for, imo.</p>
<p>Given the statements made to the victims and the offers of counseling, and considering that the striking thing that Freeh noted in his report was the total disregard that anyone at the university had for these victims, yes, I think that the victims could have been included in the discussion of what was to be done. How much of an impact their input would have had would depend on a number of other factors, but it would have brought the victims into the circle. As Lasma so well put it, “it would ahve been more apporpriate, not to mention gracious”.</p>
<p>I’m with you janesmith–not complying with the Clery act etc. = non compliance on an institutional level, yes the university failed.</p>
<p>I continue to be outraged that Spanier is not yet indicted, and that he, Curley and Schultz are still on payroll. I can see how some PSU students would see this as unfair, that they are being punished while the adult leaders are without consequences. </p>
<p>And who is looking into Corbett’s role in stalling the investigation, taking Second Mile money etc.</p>
<p>Given that the victim’s identities are being kept as private as possible, they may not want to go public with much, as they simply have not. I was getting the distinct feeling that they were not being included in any discussions or decision, even to the point of just being apprised privately and just getting their input, but I was hoping that maybe it was happening privately. Clearly from this statement through one victim’s attorney, that has not been the case.</p>
<p>Grcxx3, sure, it would be appropriate. The fact that none of them did points to the extreme difficulty these young men must be having with this, and I would think it would be very hard for them to initiate a contact of that kind. Remember, they were surrounded by a community that was solidly and vocally opposed to removing the statue; even using their attorney as a go-between, I would think it would be intimidating. </p>
<p>And why should the burden have been on the victims anyway? Penn State could have – should have – put out the word to victims that they would get a respectful, private hearing from university officials. That’s the kind of sensitivity and generosity of spirit that so many of us feel is still completely lacking.</p>
<p>“How about the other 3000 or so faculty? Equal time?”</p>
<p>Many on this thread have been waiting for faculty to speak up. So far, this is all we’ve heard. They are free to express their opinions. The content of the article is frankly not what I expected to hear from the faculty and I am disappointed.</p>
<p>(Sorry for the delay; this was posted many hours ago. I’m at work during the day and can’t keep up, and when I’m home in the evening, most of you have gone to bed!)</p>
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<p>Hunt, these guys undoubtedly had high-powered attorneys. Is it remotely possible that such attorneys would have advised top officials at a major university to cover up a felony?</p>
<p>^that would have been Courtney? then there’s the debacle over whether Baldwin was representing Spanier, Schultz and Curley or simply representing Penn State at the grand jury hearing.</p>
<p>OhioMom -
It’s comments like I posted (and many other incredibly rude and insulting ones) that make me so angry and frustrated. If you believe the rantings of some people - the entire university should be burned to the ground. It’s ridiculous. </p>
<p>I am as horrified by what has happened as anyone. And the behavior of the senior administration and athletic leadership was appalling. But the students and alumni are not at fault here. Both groups should be able to be proud of the education and opportunities given to them (now, in the future). And I know that only small-minded, vindictive individuals would refuse to employ Penn State graduates because of this. But unfortunately, those people exist. (Employment exceptions given to those morons who rioted and insist on posting idiotic comments on FB)</p>
<p>Before the NCAA sanctions came out - my son was ready to go back to school, no matter what. He will be in his 3rd year of a demanding ENGR program. Between his classes (regular and honors classes) - he has his hands full. If there was a football season, great - he was looking forward to being in the band again. The Blue Band, for him, is his primary social outlet and a much needed physical and mental escape. If there was no football season, he would be disappointed, but would be okay. There are other opportunities to play and perform. Not as much fun, but better than nothing. </p>
<p>So, come late August, he and I will be traveling to State College to get him set up in his apartment. Because of band camp, we will be arriving before the majority of the students. It will be interesting to see what the mood of the student body is. I am hoping it is like the young lady who said - “As a student, I almost feel a stronger pride of going,…The class of 2016, it’s almost like starting a new history of Penn State, a new era. We have to restore the pride and keep Penn State strong.”</p>
<p>The adults at Penn State failed horribly. And the leadership is still shaky. So, it’s up to the student body to make things right - by working their tails off in class, continuing the efforts to raise money/awareness for child abuse victims, continuing the THON fundraising, supporting all the activities and athletic teams on campus (even the young men who choose to stay and play football), and going on to full and productive lives.</p>
<p>(End of soapbox. I need to go pack for a weekend trip to Atlanta. Time for more drum corps!)</p>
<p>How many times must you make that point as though it somehow lessens the foul mess at Penn State? Everyone knows that crimes, including rape, and cover-ups have happened elsewhere and will certainly happen again. You’ve made this argument repeatedly. And I wholeheartedly agree that others have committed these crimes too. But, in the context of Penn State, so what? What you don’t seem to understand is that this fact does not make it the least bit acceptable or excusable that it happened at Penn State too. </p>
<p>“But he did it too” is the oldest alibi in the books and it never works.</p>