(Pix (c) Larry Catá Backer 2012)
In a prior post, Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University Leaders (Oct. 31, 2012), I announced that at its December 2012 meeting, the Penn State University Faculty Senate will consider the following resolution, proposed at the October Senate meeting by Senator Thomas O. Beebee, Liberal Arts:
In light of the Freeh Report, the NCAA sanctions, and the conviction and sentencing of Jerry Sandusky, the Faculty Senate of the Pennsylvania State University wishes to convey its deepest sorrow in the face of these crimes, and to extend its sympathy to all victims of these proven criminal actions. The Senate furthermore hereby:· Expresses its support for President Rodney Erickson and the Board of Trustees in their efforts to bring greater transparency and accountability to university governance;· Affirms its commitment to furthering the cultures of excellence at Penn State: cultures of teaching, of scholarship and research, of service, of student philanthropy, and of student athletics;· Pledges its own best efforts, through its committee work, Senate Council, shared governance, and plenary meetings, to continually making Penn State a better place to work and live, and an environment where cultures of excellence can flourish.
I invited comments to aid the Senate in its deliberations. I received many. Some of them were posted as comments to the original message. I received many more. This post includes a number of comments received but not posted, along with those posted earlier as comments. I note the following as you consider these posts: (1) a number of commentators feared to provide identifying information because they thought retaliation would be likely; that this feeling still runs so deep ought to cause us great concern; (2) the more intemperate comments were omitted; (3) emotions still run deep among some members of the Penn State community; it is not clear that ignoring or marginalizing this group is the best way top deal with the emotion; (4) it is not clear what others who declined to write in think; it would be a mistake to think that these comments express the universe of reactions.
Without more ado, here are the comments. I hope they help senators decide how they will approach the issue of the approval of the resolution.
Tom (et al) . . . a bit more relating
to your proposed resolution to be considered at the Dec. 2012 Faculty Senate
meeting. As I (and many others) stated in earlier (blog) comments and
e-mails, it is a bit premature to issue accolades for BOT "...efforts
to bring greater transparency and accountability."
As I stated in my Nov. 12 e-mail, very
little has changed concerning communications and dialogue with the BOT, its
members, its committees, its groups, its staff, etc. Lots of promises and
contradictory statements and no follow through on "open dialogue,"
considering differing points-of-view, establishing a "...comprehensive
communications infrastructure," "overall openness,"
"It is crucial that voices from all corners of the University community
be heard...," etc., etc., etc. See the attachment to my Nov. 12 e-mail
for more detail.
Also . . . recently, this Collegian
item ran . . . thanks for your time . . . Jim Riehl (PSU 1972)
Daily Collegian, Nov. 28, 2012
(Excerpt)
The board should reform this method and make it easier for
people to voice their opinion and lessen the registration time and content
restrictions. There’s very little room for dialogue with the trustee
members and very little opportunity for real responses. There should be another
chance outside of the meetings where people are allowed to relay their messages
and concerns toward the board, with the trustees available to have
conversations with those who choose to speak. There should be discussion, not
just comment.
These public comment sessions are doing very little to
improve the gap between the board and the community. Both parties — the board
and the public — are not making these meetings as productive as they can be.
Chairwoman of the Board Karen Peetz, as well as other trustees, should be
available to speak with people. Each member should be equipped with information
to answer the public’s questions — even the tough ones.
We are crushing an entire generation under
student loan debt and all for what: guys like Spanier. Ah well.
The line from Braveheart you're
looking for is: "Nobles couldn't agree on the color of shite."
Only for 'Nobles' substitute 'faculty senators."
A: yes you were. this must make it all the more frustrating and yet immediately you think of the $$ in terms of the students.
B: When I tried to stop this criminality in
Senate I was called 'naive.' Just this one year's compensation could have
provided every single one of our students at Abington a $1,000 scholarship.
Every single one. Think about that.
C: http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20121129_Former_Penn_State_president_Spanier_will_receive__3_3_million_in_2011_compensation.html
Faculty Senate members who opposed
the sending of the past chairs letter to the NCAA,
After reading the
minutes of the Faculty Senate meeting of October 16th, I have come to the
conclusion that you are merely puppets of President Erickson and the cowardly
Board of Trustees. None of you want to stand up for our University.
The letter defended
the academic honor of Penn State. Your actions and defeat of this leter,
only show that you are also not willing to defend Penn State
University. The letter asked for due process, a right afforded
every citizen of the United States, but you do not care about that
either.
As an alumnus of
this great institution, I am deeply saddened by your actions. The
public's perception of Penn State is at an all time low. You had an
opportunity to help restore the perception of Penn State and you FAILED!!
The Alumni will NOT move forward until we have leadership at Penn
State that will stand up for us. We can now include the Faculty
Senate on the list of administrators that do not care about the future of
Penn State. It is the faithful Alumni that will continue to fight the
battle. Once we win, the president, BOT and Faculty Senate will be
thanking us for our efforts to save the university.
Your statements
say that you do not wish to have this issue brought up again. Do you
read the papers? I would bet that there is at least 1 story a week
about the Sandusky scandal.
I am 10000% sure
that some of your facilities are due to donations solicited by Joe and Sue
Paterno. Yet you are letting the public and media ruin their great
name. I admire and respect the Paterno family so much. They
even kept their yearly $100,000 donation after the BOT fired Joe by telephone. The
university saw to it that all athletic relationships to the Paterno
name were removed. Why not the Library? Is it because the library
would be nothing without their donations? The alumni will see to it
that the name of Joe Paterno is restored.
I only wish
the alumni voted for the Faculty Senate. We would vote you out
just like we will vote out the BOT members from Nov 2011.
Sincerely,
Dan Hall
'84 MICRB
Proud
to SUPPORT Penn State!!
In keeping with the high intellectual
value of an education at PSU, I hope the faculty is teaching the principal of
due process to the students. It is embarrassing to think otherwise.
Sir,
As
a Penn State alum, it is quite disconcerting that the faculty senate would even
consider accepting and condoning BOT actions to move forward without
examination of the so-called investigations by Louis Freeh that has led to the
egregious, unwarranted, unproven, and potentially illegal crushing NCAA
sanctions on an innocent football program. Likewise, the Freeh Report has
caused further fallout with downgradings by Middle States and other
organizations. Even our spineless and cowardly university president
admitted in an interview last week that next year’s applications and
enrollments are down by 10-35%! How stupid do you people think we
are! The attitude of complete disregard to defend our university from the
get go when this disaster started as the result of criminal actions by one man,
Jerry Sandusky, is now spilling over to those on the faculty senate who are too
intimidated by the BOT and their puppets! This is the United States of
America where due process is expected and should not be denied.
Therefore, prudence is desired for all bodies who are inclined to make
decisions forced upon them without allowing the judicial process to play
out. Believe me, you do NOT have the facts you should have to make these
cursory calls to accept these corrupt investigations and sanctions.
Tom and Lisa
Bradley ’71, ’74. ‘77
Not
sure if my post was approved. I did not see it there. We must continue to be
the voice for truth as our appointed leadership clearly has no intention to
pursue it.
I
believe one day history will record president-select Erickson and the
“unanimous” BoT (those who fired Paterno) as the biggest failures in character
and leadership the university has ever suffered through. Perhaps the Senate
should be investigating bringing criminal charges against Erickson and the BoT,
but absolutely NOT praising them for their spineless, short-sighted, cover your
own @sses behaviors that continue to this day. We will not “move on” or rest
until justice has had an opportunity to be heard.
Thanks,
Mark
Mark
Dear Professor Backer:
Your proposed
resolution is ill conceived, poorly timed and a disgrace. For you to even
discuss something like this before the trials of Schultz, Curley and Spanier
have concluded is irresponsible.
To be clear, I
am one of the thousands of angry alumni who feel Dr. Erickson and the Board of
Trustees is selling the University down the river. They apparently only
want to “move on” and have no interest in the truth. Had you bothered to
read any of the six or seven easily available analyses of the Freeh report, you
would not mention it in your resolution. Those analyses show that the
report is severely flawed, mostly void of fact and was a gross waste of
University funds. And, I have yet to find a single person who has
actually read the entire report who finds otherwise. That the report was
used by the NCAA and that President Erickson accepted the sanctions with no
appeal is appalling.
If you’d like a
good summary of how the alumni feel about Ms Peetz’ and the Board of Trustees
actions, you should read the first 550 comments made on the Penn State Alumni
Magazine website regarding Chairwoman Peetz’s interview. After the first
550 almost unanimous negative, but well written posts, a couple of trolls arrived
to take over the comments so they are less appropriate.
Perhaps you
should also consult further with the large group of your former chairs who
apparently disagree with your opinion before enacting your resolution.
I tried to post
this comment to the blog, but despite saying my post had been accepted after
jumping through the identity hoops, it has yet to appear. I must assume
you are only looking for positive comments and see that you don’t yet have
any. This email is a copy of a comment I tried to post on the site.
If this post does not show up in the comments section, I’d like a written
response as to why it has not been posted there.
Jeff Roby
Business
Logistics, 1969
Tucson,
AZ
For the BOT to pass this would be just another message to
the world that the entire University was in fact responsible for the
incomprehensible act of one man. The board's continued stance of
apologizing to the world rather than standing up for the University and asking
the world to hold off judgment till all the facts are in is a complete
violation of their fiduciary responsibility to the university, its students and
alumni. By the president’s own report, requests for admission are off and
the University is paying millions of dollars in penalties that have yet to be
proven warranted. There will be no moving on till the controversy they have
created over the University through their actions is resolved by a full
investigation and exposing of the facts. Please tell the Board not to
compound their previous errors and please NOT pass this resolution.
Sincerely,
Rob Trotter
Rob Trotter
Dear
Mr. Backer,
I have attempted to post a comment toward your resolution in praise of university leaders, but it doesn't seem to have been accepted. My comment is as follows:
"It is fine for the Faculty Senate to state all of the above, including in support of efforts toward greater transparency and accountability to University governance. However it would be greatly remiss to express support for Erickson and the Board of Trustees in this particular item without also expressing a great lack of confidence toward these same individuals for their handling of virtually all other aspects of this affair, and without calling for a full revamping of the University administration and governance."
Regards.......Bob Grane, class of 1977 & 1979
I have attempted to post a comment toward your resolution in praise of university leaders, but it doesn't seem to have been accepted. My comment is as follows:
"It is fine for the Faculty Senate to state all of the above, including in support of efforts toward greater transparency and accountability to University governance. However it would be greatly remiss to express support for Erickson and the Board of Trustees in this particular item without also expressing a great lack of confidence toward these same individuals for their handling of virtually all other aspects of this affair, and without calling for a full revamping of the University administration and governance."
Regards.......Bob Grane, class of 1977 & 1979
The
faculty senate "Expresses its support for President Rodney Erickson
and the Board of Trustees in their efforts to bring greater transparency
and accountability to university governance"
Transparency? What transparency? Is violating the Sunshine Act the BOT's
idea of transparency. The only thing I can see right through is the BOT's
CYA strategy of throwing the football program under the bus. And how can
the faculty senate support people who may be shown to be complicit when
Kathleen Kane investigates the mishandling of the SANDUSKY Sex Scandal?
I didn't think anyone at PSU could display more incompetence than the
clowns running the circus. But if the faculty senate passes this
resolution, they'll make the Rod look smart by comparison.
The only thing that makes sense in the resolution is the senate faculty's
unwittingly referring to the Freeh Report and the NCAA sanctions as
crimes...
"In light of the Freeh Report, the NCAA sanctions, and the conviction and
sentencing of Jerry Sandusky, the Faculty Senate of the Pennsylvania State
University wishes to convey its deepest sorrow in the face of THESE
crimes..." (Senator Beebee is obviously not in the English Department.)
and the Board of Trustees in their efforts to bring greater transparency
and accountability to university governance"
Transparency? What transparency? Is violating the Sunshine Act the BOT's
idea of transparency. The only thing I can see right through is the BOT's
CYA strategy of throwing the football program under the bus. And how can
the faculty senate support people who may be shown to be complicit when
Kathleen Kane investigates the mishandling of the SANDUSKY Sex Scandal?
I didn't think anyone at PSU could display more incompetence than the
clowns running the circus. But if the faculty senate passes this
resolution, they'll make the Rod look smart by comparison.
The only thing that makes sense in the resolution is the senate faculty's
unwittingly referring to the Freeh Report and the NCAA sanctions as
crimes...
"In light of the Freeh Report, the NCAA sanctions, and the conviction and
sentencing of Jerry Sandusky, the Faculty Senate of the Pennsylvania State
University wishes to convey its deepest sorrow in the face of THESE
crimes..." (Senator Beebee is obviously not in the English Department.)
PSU Faculty Senate:
I wanted to
respond to your proposed resolution. Although I agree with the
apology portion of the resolution, I do not agree with the wording in the
first furthermore statement. Penn State president Erickson and the Board of
Trustees have not been more transparent and forthcoming in light of the Jerry
Sandusky scandal. In fact, in view of some of the facts that have been
allowed to come to light, president Erickson and the Board of Trustees have
many questions to answer. Giving the alumni and others a small time window to
speak at Board meetings, allowing certain groups to have a small presence in
discussions, making appearances through speaking engagements and interviews is
not the definition of transparency and accountability. They are no more than
marketing techniques aimed at giving the superficial appearance of going
the extra mile. Real transparency and accountability starts with allowing all
decisions, actions, inactions and mistakes by president Erickson and the Board
of Trustees before, during, and after the Jerry Sandusky scandal to be brought
forth.
President Erickson and the
Board of Trustees have been pushing for the Penn State community to move on and
move forward in the wake of the scandal. One missing ingredient to their recipe
for success is their own accountability. When the Board of Trustees made their
public apology after the Freeh Report was released to the public, it was as if
they were saying, "Okay, we made mistakes, but we do not want any
consequences to come our way. We want to keep our positions and just move
on." This attitude of arrogance cannot continue with president Erickson
and the Board of Trustees. They are accountable for their part in the Jerry
Sandusky scandal, they are responsible for spending millions of university
dollars on an investigation that has many more questions surrounding it than it
has given answers, they are accountable for the stewardship of the university.
President Erickson and the Board of Trustees have failed to accept
transparency, they have failed to accept accountability, but most
egregious of all they have failed to accept the consequences from their
own failure to lead a university before, during, and after a horrific
scandal.
Allowing the resolution to
be worded with praise and confidence in president Rodney Erickson and the Board
of Trustees is a tragic mistake. Penn State University must be able to heal and
move forward from this terrible chapter; however, allowing persons who have
been entrusted with the stewardship of this great institution off scot-free
will never move Penn State forward. Words like transparency and accountability
cannot be thrown about like yesterday's newspaper - they must have genuine
meaning. President Erickson and the Board of Trustees
have manipulated these words for use in their own marketing
campaigns. Please, do not allow the PSU Faculty Senate to be used in the same
way.
Respectfully,
George F.
Aul '08
Dear Professor Backer –
I have unsuccessfully attempted to post a comment regarding
the resolution which was proposed by Senator Thomas O. Beebee at the October
Faculty Senate meeting and which will be considered at the December
meeting. As such, I am forwarding my input to you directly in hopes that
you will be able to make it available to the full Senate. Thank you very
much for your efforts in this regards!
I will first state that I am very unclear as to the
objective of this resolution. If it is, as I suspect, to show support and
unity with the University President and Board of Trustees, then I believe the
Senate would be extremely ill-advised to support it.
The resolution begins with the statement: “In light of the
Freeh Report, the NCAA sanctions, and the conviction and sentencing of Jerry
Sandusky, the Faculty Senate of the Pennsylvania State University wishes to
convey its deepest sorrow in the face of these crimes, and to extend its
sympathy to all victims of these proven criminal actions”. The conveyance
of sorrow and sympathy are appropriate; however, intended or not, this
paragraph clearly lends support to the credibility and accuracy of the Freeh
report and further implies appropriateness of the NCAA sanctions. Lending
such support to either is not in the best interest of Penn State. The
Freeh report is a monumental travesty which has been thoroughly analyzed and
discredited. Our University leadership’s willingness to accept it without
review or analysis is a stunning display of arrogance and incompetence that the
Faculty Senate should not be enabling and perpetuating by mentioning it in a
resolution. Further, the NCAA’s egregious, misguided, and (I believe)
ultimately unlawful actions in this matter have caused substantial damage to
the University. Mentioning the sanctions without qualifying the Senate’s
position on them will imply support of the NCAA’s actions. I strongly
suggest that references to the Freeh Report and the NCAA sanctions be omitted
from any resolutions that the Senate issues.
Continuing, the second two bullets of the resolution serve
absolutely no purpose. Unless, of course, the Senate actually believes
that there is a public perception that there is not already a strong
university-wide commitment to cultures of excellence or that the Senate is not
committed to the overall well-being of the University. I sincerely do not
believe that this is the case. As such, I must deduce that these two
bullets are essentially serving as ‘camouflage’ for the first bullet, with
which I have significant issues.
Although the first bullet focuses on support for “efforts to
bring greater transparency and accountability to university governance”, an
obviously noble objective, the broader interpretation of the bullet will be
support of the Board and the President and, in turn, their actions over the
past 12 months by the University Faculty Senate. I cannot even begin to
comprehend how this could be the case. Few groups have a greater vested
interest in the well-being of Penn State than the Faculty Senate. The
Senate should be at the forefront of efforts to restore the good name of our
great University, not shamefully toeing the line to promote a public perception
of unity with a leadership team that has (at a minimum) abandoned their
responsibilities.
By any objective standard, our University President and the
Board of Trustees have failed spectacularly in the aftermath of last year’s
horrific revelations. They have been wrong at almost every step and have
managed to establish a new gold standard for crisis mismanagement.
Their incompetence has severely and perhaps irreparably damaged a great
university. Their behavior demonstrates that they are more concerned
about the public’s perception of the University leadership than they are about
the well-being of the University. They have allowed the actions and
inactions of a very few individuals to be escalated to an indictment of the
entire University and its stakeholders. This is completely unacceptable
and unforgivable for individuals in these positions. There must consequences to
poor decisions and irresponsible behavior. Unfortunately, to date, the
negative consequences of our leadership’s decisions and behavior have had
incredible negative impact on the University with all too little impact on
themselves.
I understand that there is a strong sentiment in some
circles to do whatever it takes to get the events of the past year behind us
and ‘move-on’. I too support continued focus on the future, but we cannot
do this effectively until the individuals responsible for creating this
disaster are removed from positions where they can and will inevitably continue
to cause more damage. I also understand that The Faculty Senate has
limited influence on the Board and University President and that the Senate
needs to maintain a working relationship with both. But your larger
commitment must always be to the well-being of the University. Like it or
not, issuing a resolution of support as proposed will be interpreted as a
vote of support for the Board and the President and, by association, all of the
actions they have taken over the past 12 months. This is certainly not in
the best interest of Penn State.
I strongly urge you to not affirm / ratify this
resolution. It is vastly preferable for you to remain silent than show
support for our failed University leadership at this time.
Scott Ciarrocca
BSEE ‘86
Dr. Backer,
I attempted to post a comment on the
upcoming Faculty Senate resolution to your blog post but I am not seeing any
comments currently posted there.
I would simply like to respond that
although I feel the resolution that will be on the table at the next senate
meeting, at its core, is fine, the promise from transparency by Dr. Erickson
and the Board of Trustees has already been shown to be hollow. So
although I would like nothing more than to support them in this endeavor, I am
unable to do so. If they were interested in transparency, we would
already have the information on the vote to remove Dr. Spanier and Coach
Paterno on November 9, 2011, we would have the conflict of interest information
amongst the board members that was part of the Freeh report recommendations and
we would have the information on the contract that was entered into with Judge
Freeh. It is my belief that President Erickson and the Board are only
being transparent about those things they wish to share and are continuing to
hide that which they belief would bring negativity upon them.
It is in this spirit that I
respectfully ask that you and the Faculty Senate do not pledge support to the
current leadership of Penn State. This alumnus, and 1000's, if not 100's
of thousands of others, are not willing to move forward with the current
leadership in place.
Thank you and respectfully,
Linda Berkland
College of HHD
Class of 1987
Larry C.Becker,
Please see my comments on Senator
Thomas O. Beebee's resolution w/r to the victims, President Erickson, and the
Freeh Report. Please feel free to pass them on to him.
Dear Senator Beebee,
The victims already know our feelings
of sorrow for them so a new resolution is not necessary. Its time to
stop including "my heart goes out to the victims" at the
bottom of every University memo so no one will criticize us. Its
time to "get over it". As far as President Erickson being
more transparent, perhaps we should wait until it happens before we pass a
resolution applauding it. All I've heard from the president's office is
"I can't comment on that because it's under investigation."
Also if you believe the Freeh Report, it's time to resign.
Richard J. Crawford Ph. D
Penn State (1970)
I
cannot support this resolution.
I
cannot support President Erickson and the Board of Trustees. By accepting the
Freeh Report and the NCAA sanctions so quickly and without proper evaluation
they have done serious harm to the university.
The
insinuation is that Penn State’s commitment to excellence has not been what it
should be, and I disagree with that.
This
resolution gives legitimacy to the NCAA sanctions and I believe they are
excessive and do not deserve support from anyone who has Penn State’s interests
at heart.
Marc
Zuckerman ‘60
In light of the Freeh Report, the NCAA
sanctions, and the conviction and sentencing of Jerry Sandusky, the Faculty
Senate of the Pennsylvania State University wishes to convey its deepest sorrow
in the face of these crimes, and to extend its sympathy to all victims of these
proven criminal actions. The Senate furthermore hereby:
· Expresses its support for President
Rodney Erickson and the Board of Trustees in their efforts to bring greater
transparency and accountability to university governance; (What
Transparency. Can you name one? Accountability is reserved by this group to be
everyone but them. University governance: What have they done, except sell PSU
down the river, and rack up big fines ((who is paying for these? Us?)) This
looks like you have been strong armed by the BOT to get in line. (Don't answer
this: just let you conscience be your own guide)
· Affirms its commitment to furthering
the cultures of excellence at Penn State: cultures of teaching, of scholarship
and research, of service, of student philanthropy, and of student athletics;
(Excellent - I am glad to hear this)
· Pledges its own best efforts, through
its committee work, Senate Council, shared governance, and plenary meetings, to
continually making Penn State a better place to work and live, and an
environment where cultures of excellence can flourish.
(Excellent
- I am glad to hear this)
JP Gunia
PSU Alumni
In light of the Faculty Senate of the Pennsylvania State University wishes to convey its deepest sorrow in the face of these crimes, and to extend its sympathy to all victims of these proven criminal actions. Sympathy of the victims is acceptable.
Any acceptance of the Freeh Report, the NCAA sanctions, support for President Rodney Erickson and the Board of Trustees in their efforts to bring greater transparency and accountability to university governance is totally irresponsible.
Affirming its commitment to furthering the cultures of excellence at Penn State: cultures of teaching, of scholarship and research, of service, of student philanthropy, and of student athletics are not only acceptable they are laudable.
President Erickson, Board of Trustees and NCAA have slapped the Faculty in the face by their blatant attempts to forward the belief that athletics and in particular football ruled over academia at this University. The culture at the Pennsylvania State University has and always will be that athletic participants are students first. Success with honor has always been the mantra at Pennsylvania State University. Success means more than athletic victories it is the growth of the individual as a student and citizen that is our definition of success.
For the Glory,
Thomas M Kupchinsky '69, '78g
Rosemarie T Kupchinsky
To Whom It May Concern:
The Faculty Senate wouldn’t stand-up
for the University when the Board and Erickson failed to do so by condemning
the unwarranted sanctions that the NCAA enacted against our athletics program,
more specifically our football team. Knowing that we have no “culture”
problem at Penn State when it comes to the relationship between athletics and
academics, and to the contrary that Penn State has an exemplary track record
with respect to the academics of our student athletes, they decided to remain
silent failing to challenge the NCCA’s assertions of a “culture” problem
allowing those outside of the Penn State community to believe that there is a
“culture” problem at Penn State with respect to our athletics program and
academics.
My question is why must they make
any resolution furthering the headlines in the Sandusky case and giving weight
to the perception that there is a “culture” problem at Penn State when it comes
to athletics and academics?
The refrain from the Board and
President Erickson has been to move on, yet the Board and President Erickson
keep making statements and now the Faculty Senate wishes to enact a resolution
that will further perpetuate headlines in relation to the Sandusky case,
negative media coverage. The Sandusky case has nothing to do with
academics at Penn State. Besides, the obvious sympathy for the victims of
Jerry Sandusky, the common sense support for transparency and accountability as
they relate to the University’s governance, the resolution is nothing but
reaffirming the mission established by their charter, thus creating unnecessary
negative publicity for the University. With all of the money that the
University is spending on PR and crisis management, you’d think that advice
against perpetuating additional negative headlines would be paramount.
The Faculty Senate had their chance at relevancy in this case to stand up
for the exemplary academic culture of student athletes at Penn State, that all
Penn Staters know and are proud of, they failed to do so. There’s no
reason to seek relevancy now. The resolution is unnecessary, serving no
purpose but to perpetuate additional negative publicity for the University and
continue the perception or even expand the perception that academic integrity
is tied to the Sandusky case. For the sake of the University this
resolution should be not be passed.
Thane
J. Fake
PSU
‘98
Don't
you dare ! They sold out PSU!
I'm very disappointed to see you are considering a resolution in praise of University leaders at your December meeting. Is there not one sane person remaining in leadership at Penn State? This resolution is ridiculous and foolish. What concerning Penn State has been PROVEN at this point?? Erickson and the Board of Trustees are not only unworthy of praise, they should all resign given their handling of this situation. WAKE UP!
Jack
'81
Mr.
Backer,
As a PSU 75 and 78 grad, husband of a 74 and 75 grad, parent of a 2002 and 2005 grad and as an adjunct faculty member please accept my strong opposition to the resolution proposed by Senator Beebee. I do not support the Board of Trustees and will continue to work to dispose of most of them.
respectfully and For the Glory,
Dr. John R Gray
As a PSU 75 and 78 grad, husband of a 74 and 75 grad, parent of a 2002 and 2005 grad and as an adjunct faculty member please accept my strong opposition to the resolution proposed by Senator Beebee. I do not support the Board of Trustees and will continue to work to dispose of most of them.
respectfully and For the Glory,
Dr. John R Gray
Dear
Larry:
Please share my
comments on the proposed Faculty Senate resolution that will be on the table
for approval in December. I was unable to post a comment on the website and
I’ll assume that was intentional.
I am appalled
the Senate would even consider such a resolution – especially after refusing to
challenge the unfair sanctions imposed by the NCAA. This resolution further
reinforces Mark Emmert’s notion that our multi-year punishment was
well-deserved.
It’s apparent
that the same physician who removed Rodney Erickson’s backbone has now begun
working on the university senators.
I would guess
that the Senate is being bullied by the Board of Trustees. Shame on you for not
having the courage to stand up for what is right.
A vast majority
of our 600,000 alumni feel as I do:
·
WE
ARE tired of apologizing.
·
WE
ARE NOT MOVING FORWARD until Joe Paterno is vindicated and receives the
recognition from the university he deserves for his untiring efforts at Penn
State.
·
WE
ARE united in our desire to have the Board of Trustees, who were in power last
November, resign immediately. With new leadership, perhaps THEN we can
begin to move forward.
If
this resolution passes, the next resolution should support the immediate
closure of the Commonwealth Campuses. Why might you ask?
As the
number of prospective students wishing to attend Penn State declines each year,
maintaining the University Park campus at full-capacity must become a top
priority. Countless empty classroom buildings and dormitories will be not only
an embarrassment, but and a lasting memorial to spineless leaders who refused
to allow due process to take place while covering their butts for their actions
since 2011.
Show some
courage and defeat this resolution!
Thomas
M. Bradley ’71, ‘74g
Altoona, PA
Dear Larry Cata Backer,
I have been unable to use the comment
function on the website, so am e-mailing my comment. Thank you for the
opportunity to share my views.
I find this to be a weak statement that
adds almost nothing to the ongoing conversation about supporting appropriate
changes at Penn State. Frankly, I don't see the point of this resolution,
except to make the FS feel like you are "doing something." I was
extremely disappointed that the FS did not endorse the letter from the former
FS chairs, a statement that is a perfect role for the faculty, one that
emphasizes depth and breadth of experience with student-athletes and the
academic climate in general. I am sorry to be harsh, but undermining that
powerful, clear statement of support for the true nature of Penn State was a
cowardly act on the part of the FS. I am an alumna, and a university
professor elsewhere. If ever there was a time for courage of convictions
by Penn State faculty, this is the time. The resolution proposed here
does not honor our school.
Sincerely,
Alice W. Pope
BA
'79, MA '83, PhD '86
Larry:
I was unable to
post at the site yesterday so I am emailing directly to you. I am completely
opposed to any effort by the Faculty Senate to support this so called
leadership with a resolution to support what is basically now the Penn State
way and that is to just accept guilt and move on. If there is one group
that should have openly protested the NCAA sanctions and a reference to a
culture at Penn State it is the Faculty Senate. Yes, our thoughts are
with the victims but I still do not understand why Penn State believes that
they must be the University responsible for all child abuse and just pay any
lawsuit that is slapped against them when there were many other local and state
agencies that did not stop Sandusky. As an Alum I am sick and tired of
being guilty by association. This is a criminal matter no different than
when executives of a corporation are found guilty of wrong doing. You do
not punish the employees, in this case everyone associated with Penn State, for
the actions of a few. Let the court system decide who is or is not
guilty. Is Penn State going to court or are a few people going to court?
Rick ‘75
You
must stress to the Faculty Senate that what they do at this time reflects on a
student body that is the future of our nation. They are sending these young
people the message “When something is wrong, it need not be corrected if it
takes too much effort- just move on- get over it”. This injustice must be
corrected before we all can move on and the election in PA shows the people of
the Commonwealth agree it needs to be addressed. Who else to lead this “proof
of truth” then the faculty of the largest university of PA. Earn your
reputation as leaders in the State....your tenure is safe.
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It amazes me that the
trustees continue to operate at the sterile level in dealing with this
situation. I would much prefer they pass something that results in every
trustee in place at the time of Paterno's firing be scheduled for eary
departure on a staggered basis over the next two years. Their sense of
self=preservation makes politicians look benevolent.
Jerome Trexler
jaypie56@aol.com
jaypie56@aol.com
Good Morning Mr. Backer,
As a currrent Penn State Alumnus, I would respectfully
request the faculty senate NOT release the proposed statement. I feel it
is premature to issue a statement of support for the President and BOT based on
the University's ever evolving situation. There are rumors of more
indictment's which may or may not involve the BOT. I would preach
patience in any release of statements at this point. Can we please show
some restraint and let due process play out in it's entirety before taking
actions which may later be regretted....or worse, cast an even more negative
light on the University.
Respectfully,
Lee Evans
Mr. Backer,
Somehow I am unable to post
comments on the faculty senate blog. Here are mine which I authorize, and
hope you will, make public:
Regarding point 1, I think that to
support the very people responsible during this period of institutional
oversight lacks the very transparency and accountability to which it aspires.
Regarding point 2, I would like to know what facts are used, and what parts of
the PSU enterprise are identified in concluding that PSU has been delinquent in
the culture that for years the above mentioned group has praised as the
Stanford of the East. If you can’t site the areas of deficiency how will you
know when you are successful? And finally regarding point 3, pledging
your best efforts in areas of responsibility such as these should be
fundamental in nature. Quite frankly this is a lot of fluff that is
insulting to hear presented as a worthy response from a worthy portion of a
worthy institution, the need for which has been created by actions and
inactions of the people in charge, not the institution itself or the students
and vast majority of alumni who are the product of the institution. It is
time someone gets serious about what the problem was and is. The
institution is fine. The people running the institution need to be
scrutinized and their and their successors, where needed, need to be watched to
verify the integrity with which they conduct their efforts to meet their
responsibilities. Money has become too much the driving force, so important
that principles of integrity and character are secondary issues to the people
in charge. The objectivity of the people in charge is tainted as a result
of the number of alumni given these positions of authority. We need
outside influence. Check the boards of peer institutions and see the
percent of outsiders that make up their boards. Until different steps are
taken, I do not take Penn State’s recovery efforts seriously.
Brad Palmer, AIFA®
President
The
Conestoga Group, Inc.
Swedesford Corporate Center
601 Swedesford Road
Frazer, PA 19355
This is in reference to your
post from http://lcbpsusenate.blogspot.
MY COMMENTS:
1.
General: I would consider holding off on praise for the University
Leaders. MANY, MANY people believe that current leadership of Penn State
have caused the crimes of one man, Jerry Sandusky to ruin the University’s
reputation and you are insulting these people by releasing this statement--
especially at this time prior to due process (Curley, Schultz and Spanier).
Release of this statement will cause MORE drama. 2. If it is necessary to release some form of statement, I would suggest changing the first paragraph to:
“In
light of the Freeh Report, the NCAA sanctions, and the conviction and
sentencing of Jerry Sandusky, the Faculty Senate of the Pennsylvania State
University wishes to convey its deepest sorrow in the face of these his
crimes, and to extend its sympathy to all of Jerry Sandusky’s victims and
victims everywhere. victims of these proven criminal actions. The Senate
furthermore hereby:”
The
Freeh report and resulting NCAA sanctions are not criminal proceedings that are
proven and the way this paragraph is written, it looks like you are saying
this. Do everyone a favor, avoid the drama that will occur as a result of
saying this, and remove it.
3.
I like the second and third bullets. The first should go – there
are so many people that are angry at the way blame for a “cover-up” was placed
on four people, that this again will just cause more drama. If it’s not
necessary, don’t say it. I believe that it is not necessary.
Thanks you for your time.
Name withheld
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Add me -- another
Penn State alumni -- to the list of people who beg you not to approve this
resolution. Erickson and the BOT have done more damage to Penn State than
even Sandusky. Do not become part of the group doing damage to the school. on
Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/17/12
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Thanks for this
fascinating blog post. I will appear for your weblog regularly right now. I'm
thinking about this topic considering that many years and you could have good
info. Buy Coursework Online | GCSE Coursework | Science Coursework |
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Markets
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on 11/16/12
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The comments
regarding the proposed resolution are largely, if not entirely, unsupportive
of this action. You can include me as another dissenter for various reasons
which have already been expressed by others on this comment board. It should
be abundantly clear that that most members of the current BOT should have
resigned already for failed leadership during a time of crisis in November
2011. Besides resigning, the structure of the BOT should be immediately
revised to eliminate governor-appointed positions and corporate positions,
both of which place those members in conficts of interest. The number of
unanswered questions which persist, in addition to the numerous disingenuous
actions which the President and BOT have taken, do not warrant any degree
support by the Faculty Senate. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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on 11/11/12
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How can you support
a Board and a President who: meet in secret, act in haste, TOTALLY neglect
their fiduciary responsibilities (crisis plan, anyone?), fire long-time
dedicated employees without a hearing and even a shred of Cause (Joe
Paterno), throw other long-time employees under the bus (decline to renew Tim
Curleys contract even BEFORE his trial?), exhibit a total lack of civility
and human decency (remove the Paterno statue on the first year anniversary
(to the DAY!) of Joe Paterno's death (Sue Paterno was not advised and had
planned to take her grandchildren there that day), decline to 'do their
homework' and value a document they paid MILLIONS for by NOT READING IT, have
publically stated that the truth does not matter and that it is time to move
on, limit "Public Expression" at Board Meetings to THIRTY MINUTES
per meeting and require that all comments be submitted ahead of time and
reserve the right to deny anyone the right to speak (lets see, 30 minutes per
meeting times how on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/11/12
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I believe one day
history will record president-select Erickson and the “unanimous” BoT (those
who fired Paterno) as the biggest failures in character and leadership the
university has ever suffered through. Perhaps the Senate should be
investigating bringing criminal charges against Erickson and the BoT, but
absolutely NOT praising them for their spineless, short-sighted, cover your
own @sses behaviors that continue to this day. We will not “move on” or rest
until justice has had an opportunity to be heard! on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/11/12
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Is this the Faculty
Senate's bid to become Vichy Penn State? on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/10/12
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If you follow this
path, then when the truth finally comes out, you will have damaged forever
the integrity of the world class faculty at PSU. M.Miller class of '72 on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/9/12
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My comments to the
PSU Faculty Senate were sent to Larry's e-mail address. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/9/12
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What is this, the
"anti-resolution" to the admirable resolutions that were
unfortunately voted down at the last Senate meeting? This anti-resolution
seems dedicated to giving priority to appearance over truth. It attempts to
create a false image of assumed guilt of those who have not received due
process (and in the case of Paterno, will never receive due process in his
life time) in hope that the public will look more favorably on the rest of
us. "Going forward" should mean constructive progress based on a
commitment to find the truth, not a smoothing-over, a cover-up, or a
willingness to pay penance for crimes we did not commit. Although I
appreciate some of the attempts at transparency, there is something terribly
wrong about the secret deal with the NCAA. Ed Ray said Penn State was never
threatened with the death penalty. The NCAA said they would never want to
harm Penn State's athletic programs beyond football, which is exactly what
would happen if the death penalty were imposed. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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on 11/9/12
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What is this, the
"anti-resolution" to the admirable resolutions that were
unfortunately voted down at the last Senate meeting? This anti-resolution
seems dedicated to giving priority to appearance over truth. It attempts to
create a false image of assumed guilt of those who have not received due
process (and in the case of Paterno, will never receive due process in his
life time) in hope that the public will look more favorably on the rest of
us. "Going forward" should mean constructive progress based on a
commitment to find the truth, not a smoothing-over, a cover-up, or a
willingness to pay penance for crimes we did not commit. Although I
appreciate some of the attempts at transparency, there is something terribly
wrong about the secret deal with the NCAA. Ed Ray said Penn State was never
threatened with the death penalty. The NCAA said they would never want to
harm Penn State's athletic programs beyond football, which is exactly what
would happen if the death penalty were imposed. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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on 11/9/12
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What is this, the
"anti-resolution" to the admirable resolutions that were
unfortunately voted down at the last Senate meeting? This anti-resolution
seems dedicated to giving priority to appearance over truth. It attempts to
create a false image of assumed guilt of those who have not received due
process (and in the case of Paterno, will never receive due process in his
life time) in hope that the public will look more favorably on the rest of
us. "Going forward" should mean constructive progress based on a
commitment to find the truth, not a smoothing-over, a cover-up, or a
willingness to pay penance for crimes we did not commit. Although I
appreciate some of the attempts at transparency, there is something terribly
wrong about the secret deal with the NCAA. Ed Ray said Penn State was never
threatened with the death penalty. The NCAA said they would never want to
harm Penn State's athletic programs beyond football, which is exactly what
would happen if the death penalty were imposed. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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on 11/9/12
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How can any
self-respecting Faculty Senate member be told that the culture is one of
football reverence rather than academic excellent and then vote to support
the people who made that assertion? Our University is collapsing from the
inside out. Where are the voices of sound judgment? It would be much sounder
judgment to not vote for this measure, than to vote for it. Why? Because no
one knows were this sad situation is going to head or where it will end.
Trials haven't even started. Think for a second, what if a current BoT member
gets indicted and convicted. Were does that leave the Faculty Senate? It
leaves the University with a further degradation of its reputation. It says
the educators were not smart enough to analyze the risks of the situation!
Sound familiar? That is what happened with our BoT! Ladies and gentlemen of
the Faculty Senate I urge you to think about what you are planning to vote
on. The wrong vote could lead to further damage to our University. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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on 11/8/12
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Re: "This more
of the "moving on" theme that the Board has been trying to cram
down our throats and it's not going to work!" "Moving on" is
what a drunk driver wants to do after he causes a multi-vehicle wreck and
possibly some fatalities. That's when he becomes a drunk hit and run driver.
The Trustees similarly caused a catastrophe for Penn State on Nov. 9 2011 and
now, like a drunk hit and run driver, they want to move on. This resolution
should be voted down unequivocally by the Faculty Senate. In addition, the
Chairwoman of said Board, along with Mark Dambly, is now a proven liar for
her statement in the Penn Stater (p. 41, bottom) that the Board will not make
statements about the guilt of anybody named in the Freeh Report, when she did
so herself in July ("Paterno's record has been marred") as did Ken
Frazier, even more explicitly. The Faculty Senate cannot honorably condone
lack of integrity among the Trustees any more than it can condone academic
dishonesty, plagiarism, and on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
in response to This
more of the "moving on" theme that the Board has been
trying to cram down our throats and it's not going to work! There are
too many unanswered questions and we are not going to move on or lend support
to any of the individuals or governing bodies at PSU until we hear the REAL
AND TRUE answers! My feelings toward the board at this point border on
disgust and if the Faculty Senate doesn't soon stand up for
what's right, they are going to be taking the seat directly behind
them. It is absolutely possible to feel outrage at the perpetrator, and
sorrow and compassion for the victims of these horrific crimes and still
stand up and defend the honor of PSU. WHEN IS SOMEBODY GOING TO DO IT?????,
by Linda Berkland.
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on 11/8/12
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Last time I checked
we lived in America where everyone is granted due process. Apparently PSU BOT
doesn't agree with the bill of rights. Ken Frazier made a statement, that in
hindsight the BOT would have done things differently. Paterno was fired for
following procedures & using that statement. Why does the executive
committee still have jobs. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/8/12
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What is wrong with
the faculty at PSU???? That you would even consider supporting Erickson and
the BOT's is a joke. Have you no guts or how did they buy you off?? It has
basically been indicated that PSU is a "football culture" which
negates everything you as the faculty and students at PSU have
accomplished!!!!! on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Karen Dahl
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on 11/8/12
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Yes, it appears Mr.
B took the easy way out. on Michael Bérubé: On the Road From the Paterno Family
Professorship in Literature at Pennsylvania State University
in response to
Actions speak louder than words Mr. Bérubé. It appears to me that Mr. Paterno
thought a lot of Mr. Bérubé as a person, but he did not feel the same. I find
that to be incredibly disturbing. However, that's how people are
anymore. They will do what they can to bring themselves to a positive light
even if it means selling out those closest to them. We all want to be hereos.
However it's only those who had courage to stand up for
what's right that are remembered. The rest are disgraced and soon
forgotten. That is why Joe will live forever. He gave 61 years of his time,
money, heart and soul to this school. And although maybe some will deny it,
it still won't change those facts. Joe had commitment to character,
academics, and community like none other; and despite anything anyone can
say...he will live on in the hearts and minds of millions forever. , by Anonymous.
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Anonymous
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on 11/8/12
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Larry Backer and
Faculty Senate: By expressing your support for Rodney Erickson and the PSU
Board of Trustees, you are supporting the unsubstantiated conclusions of the
Freeh report and the NCAA sanctions/penalties based upon a false document. I
find this very disturbing from a professor of law to have total disregard for
due process. Please do not make the old adage true which states; “those who
can’t do, teach!!” Michael ’83 ‘85 on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/8/12
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I would never agree
to anything that supports Erickson who abandoned the students, faculty,
athletes, and alumni of Penn State University. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/8/12
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Please see my
comments on each of your points below: · Expresses its support for President
Rodney Erickson and the Board of Trustees in their efforts to bring greater
transparency and accountability to university governance; I cannot support
your above point, as I do not believe that there is "greater
transparency and accountability" being presented by President Erickson
and especially by the Board of Trustees. The BOT continues to meet privately,
excluding the alumni on important issues. The BOT has provided almost no time
for alumni response (3 minutes is not sufficient time to discuss a issue
important to the alumni)and this is only accorded occasionally. Further there
have been repeated questions posed to the Board and the President that have
gone unanswered for months. Is this open and transparent? While the BOT may
disagree with the stance of many alumni, that is no reason to ignore the
issues. The BOT does not represent the alumni of the Penn State University,
but has on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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David Shellenbarger
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on 11/8/12
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Wonderful political
speech. Not that we haven't had enough empty promises by our Washington, DC
president and politicians running for office, now our University leadership
is going down the same road. It's time for a complete housecleaning of all
Trustees and President Erickson, who participated in the scandal in the first
place. How can those, who let a supposed cover-up exist right under their
noses be now responsible enough to do the right thing now. I
repeat....political BS. I support PS4RS efforts to vote out the old and get
the right people in power, who will do the right thing. While I'm still on
the soapbox....Freeh Report is an inaccurate and incomplete document, which
the University's response is based upon. Dare I say lack of leadership one
more time???? John Waha II 1979 Science - Life Member Alumni Assoc. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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John Waha II '79 Science
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on 11/7/12
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Your proposed
resolution is ill conceived, poorly timed and a disgrace. For you to even
discuss something like this before the trials of Schultz, Curley and Spanier
have concluded is irresponsible. To be clear, I am one of the thousands of
angry alumni who feel Dr. Erickson and the Board of Trustees is selling the
University down the river. They apparently only want to “move on” and have no
interest in the truth. Had you bothered to read any of the six or seven
easily available analyses of the Freeh report, you would not mention it in
your resolution. Those analyses show that the report is severely flawed,
mostly void of fact and was a gross waste of University funds. And, I have
yet to find a single person who has actually read the entire report who finds
otherwise. That the report was used by the NCAA and that President Erickson
accepted the sanctions with no appeal is appalling. If you’d like a good
summary of how the alumni feel about Ms Peetz’ and the Board of Trustees on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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on 11/7/12
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For the BOT to pass
this would be just another message to the world that the entire University
was in fact responsible for the incomprehensible act of one man. The board's
continued stance of apologizing to the world rather than standing up for the
University and asking the world to hold off judgment till all the facts are
in is a complete violation of their fiduciary responsibility to the
university, its students and alumni. By the president’s own report, requests
for admission are off and the University is paying millions of dollars in
penalties that have yet to be proven warranted. There will be no moving on
till the controversy they have created over the University through their
actions is resolved by a full investigation and exposing of the facts. Please
tell the Board not to compound their previous errors and please NOT pass this
resolution. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Robert Trotter '75 & '77
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on 11/7/12
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This is good for as
far as it goes. I would add the word "far" before the word
"greater" so that it reads: ...efforts to bring far greater
transparency and accountability to university governance... on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/7/12
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There's no doubt
about expressing sorrow for the victims, but to actively approve and validate
the mismanagement of Erickson and the board? It's time for the university to
put up no-confidence votes for our ill-equipped leaders. But it doesn't
matter-doing things like this is how PR works, and by stroking the BOT's ego
the teachers are kept happy and they can plow forward with this move on
campaign on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/7/12
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The faculty Senate
should have endorsed the letter by previous members but voted against doing
so. The current proposed letter is another example of a tremendous lack of
leadersthip at Penn State. Do not approve it. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/7/12
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I tried to post a
comment a couple of days ago, and it still has yet to appear. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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on 11/7/12
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This is a sellout
by people who are supposed to be educated. This looks dangerously like the
BOT has put the thumb down on University Employees. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/7/12
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How could you even
think of supporting the President and BOT for their efforts. Don't be naive
Erikson and at least some members of the BOT knew what was going on if the
big four did. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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on 11/7/12
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Having followed
this situation from its first revelation I find it difficult to see little if
any contribution by either the president or the Board of Trustees of bringing
"greater transparency and accountability to university governance".
I would be greatly disappointed to see the Penn State University Senate pass
this resolution without striking the item referred to above. dale e landon,
BA '59, MA '61 and Ph.D. (University of Illinois) '69, all degrees in
history. Also past chair of the IUP University of Pennsylvania Senate. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/7/12
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While I can
appreciate the general bullet points the Senate states it (will)
"support", "commit to" and apply "best efforts
to", I am disgusted by the emphasis the Faculty Senate has placed on the
"Freeh Report" and NCAA sanctions in their opening statement. This
first paragraph perpetuates an implied value in the Freeh Report that does
not exist. This first paragraph also places seeming support to the, as yet,
inappropriate and misplaced sanctions by the NCAA. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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on 11/7/12
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Seriously?!
"Express support for President Rod and the BoTs....?" When will
anyone, someone...faculty, president, or the BoTs stand up for our great
University??! Can't "move forward" until the Prez and BoTs get
gone! on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/7/12
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While I can
appreciate the general bullet points the Senate states it (will)
"support", "commit to" and apply "best efforts
to", I am disgusted by the emphasis the Faculty Senate has placed on the
"Freeh Report" and NCAA sanctions in their opening statement. This
first paragraph perpetuates an implied value in the Freeh Report that does
not exist. This first paragraph also places seeming support to the, as yet,
inappropriate and misplaced sanctions by the NCAA. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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on 11/7/12
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Nice job, just a
few suggested edits. In light of the Freeh Report, the NCAA sanctions, and
the conviction and sentencing of Jerry Sandusky, the Faculty Senate of the
Pennsylvania State University wishes to convey its deepest sorrow in the face
of these crimes, and to extend its sympathy to all victims of these proven
criminal actions. The Senate furthermore hereby: • Expresses its support to
bring greater transparency and accountability to university governance; •
Affirms its commitment to continuing the cultures of excellence at Penn
State: cultures of teaching, of scholarship and research, of service, of
student philanthropy, and of student athletics; • Pledges its own best
efforts, through its committee work, Senate Council, shared governance, and
plenary meetings, to continually making Penn State a better place to work and
live, and an environment where cultures of excellence can flourish. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/7/12
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Excellent along
with very thoughtful post! I really appreciate your time as well as effort
you put in every single one of your posts, in addition to finally decided to
drop a comment on one of them! I've shared your site with my other doodle kit
friends, and subscribed so hopefully you do this same for me. Coursework Help
| GCSE Coursework | Science Coursework | Statistics Coursework | Sociology
Coursework | UK Coursework Writing | Research Paper Writing on General Education at Penn State--Responses to the Gen Ed
Report
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on 11/7/12
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I am a 1970
graduate of Penn State University. I am more and more embarrassed about our
school, but not over the fact that an employee was convicted of crimes. I am
embarrassed that we continue to perpetuate the distortions that were started
and continue in the media; and therefore contribute to our own demise. The
responses and press releases of the BoT from the beginning of the information
becoming public both accepted blame for PSU in general and assigned blame to
individuals without due process. I can understand that the current senate was
unwilling to endorse the statement by past senate chairs; since the BoT are
your employers. That was, however, unfortunate, as the statement was
comprehensive in its assessment of the events, including the Freeh report and
sanctions; and Penn State’s true historical behavior and culture. In
contrast, the current proposed statement is in the category of group-think
and is offered to appease both the BoT and public. It would be much on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
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on 11/7/12
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I'm dismayed at a
resolution to support Dr. Erickson and the Board of Trustees in light of
their mishandling of the Freeh report and the NCAA. Their actions have done
significant harm to the University, that handled in a more appropriate manner
would have had vastly less damaging results. Hiring an individual versed in
higher education to do an investigation rather than someone with a sordid
track record like Louis Freeh reeks of anything but transparency. I was
pleased with the report from the past chairs criticizing the Freeh report,
but it seems current faculty have fallen for the party line. Disappointing.
on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
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on 11/6/12
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Regarding the
following: The Senate furthermore hereby: Expresses its support for President
Rodney Erickson and the Board of Trustees in their efforts to bring greater
transparency and accountability to university governance; How can you express
support for something that they are not doing? on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
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D. Bonaquist
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on 11/6/12
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Why aren't you
furious that the Freeh report basically says that you are academic slackers
who let athletes slide so they could win football games? Especially since we
know that is NOT true? This resolution screams "We are guilty!",
just like everything President Erickson & the BOT has done since last
November. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
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Ellen Brown
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on 11/6/12
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I don't expect
anything less from the Faculty Senate. The BOT cuts their paycheck. The only
culture issue at Penn State "lies" within the BOT. The Faculty
Senate should challenge Freeh and NCAA based on our outstanding culture of
academics, scholarships and research, of service, of student philanthropy,
and the Grand Experiment of Success With Honor in athletics. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
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Anonymous
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on 11/6/12
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Reads like a bunch
of meaningless feel-good statements. Instead, you should be rebuking the
Trustees for their lack of action and cover-up of the scandal and calling for
mass resignations for those that stood by and watched and said nothing - as
in all of them but the most-recent additions to the Trustees. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
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Anonymous
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on 11/6/12
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This is what you
need to ask yourself BEFORE you agree to any of the above resolutions: 1. Why
was Governor Tom Corbett at the November 9th Board of Trustees meeting with
an advanced hotel reservation, when for all prior meetings, he sent a proxy?
2. Chairwoman Karen Peetz and the Penn State Board of Trustees have
repeatedly said that Tim Curley and Gary Shultz will get their "due
process." Why was Joe Paterno not afforded the same consideration? What
specific information did the Board of Trustees use to make their decision to
terminate Paterno on November 9, 2011? 3. Where are the Penn State Board of
Trustees’ meeting minutes from November 9, 2011 and why are they the only
meeting minutes that have not been publicly released, even after repeated
requests, and a legal requirement to do so? 4. Why did the Board of Trustees
immediately grab power from Graham Spanier, force his resignation, and not
allow him to manage the crisis from day one? What facts did they have to
inform this on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
Leaders
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Anonymous
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on 11/6/12
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Thank you faculty
for weighing in on this in a timely manner. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
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Anonymous
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on 11/6/12
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Actions speak
louder than words Mr. Bérubé. It appears to me that Mr. Paterno thought a lot
of Mr. Bérubé as a person, but he did not feel the same. I find that to be
incredibly disturbing. However, that's how people are anymore. They will do
what they can to bring themselves to a positive light even if it means selling
out those closest to them. We all want to be hereos. However it's only those
who had courage to stand up for what's right that are remembered. The rest
are disgraced and soon forgotten. That is why Joe will live forever. He gave
61 years of his time, money, heart and soul to this school. And although
maybe some will deny it, it still won't change those facts. Joe had
commitment to character, academics, and community like none other; and
despite anything anyone can say...he will live on in the hearts and minds of
millions forever. on Michael Bérubé: On the Road From the Paterno Family
Professorship in Literature at Pennsylvania State University1
replies.
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Anonymous
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on 11/6/12
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What a bunch of
wusses. Those action verbs are so weak. You all should be challenging the president
and board of trustees, not hugging them. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
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on 11/6/12
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What a bunch of
wusses. Those action verbs are so weak. You all should be challenging the
president and board of trustees, not hugging them. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
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on 11/6/12
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Senator Thomas O.
Beebee said that the senate: "Expresses its support for President Rodney
Erickson and the Board of Trustees in their efforts to bring greater
transparency and accountability to university governance." I find this
entire paragraph to be a complete joke and an insult to anyone not trapped in
an academic ivory tower. Erickson and the Trustees have made ZERO efforts at
transparency and accountability when it comes to the Sandusky scandal. The
Freeh report is a scandal all on it's own, and using it as if it were an
official legal document is the most irresponsible act that the trustees could
have taken. Why did Erickson and the trustees engage in this obvious rush to
judgement that doesn't have an endorsement from a single law enforcement
agency? Why does the NCAA get $60 million? Are they in a unique position to
make sure that the money gets to the vicitms? I hardly think so. The trustees
have given the money to one of the biggest bureaucracies every created, and
on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
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Anonymous
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on 11/6/12
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The BoT has done
nothing since the beginning of this nightmare but spend money to cover their
own liability. If they are in charge, as they say time and again, each and
every one of them who was in office during the time these crimes happened
should have resigned by now. If they haven't, there's no time like the
present. The idea that the Senate Council is thinking of publishing support
can be nothing more than pandering at its finest. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
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on 11/6/12
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You can't be
serious. They sold us down the road. They didn't even read the That Great so
called investigated Freeh report and let the NCAA impose those sanctions
without a fight. You call that tranparency. They put PSU in the spotlight and
we the alumni are getting the greef. Friends are critizing our school all the
time. I think we should get rid of the whole bunch. They are a bunch of
cowards. None of them come close to Joe Pa in their love and respect for PSU.
You want to honor them after you disgraced Joe. Where's the proof that he did
anything wrong. You are a sick bunch. on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
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Richard Hunter
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on 11/6/12
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How can you support
both Erickson and the BOT when they threw Penn State and Joe Paterno under the
bus. They been an embarassment to all Penn State alumini and their employees
for rolling over to the NCAA and the media. If anything you should be asking
for their resignation due to the fact the Freeh report is highly flaw and
complete investigation was never conducted regarding the real villians. DCW,
Second Mile Foundation and Governor Corbett. At least the new AG Kane will
find out the truth. Anyway who wrote this President Erickson. I was at the
Penn State/Ohio State game and when Erickson name came over the loudspeaker
he was heavily booed. The Senate need to support an investigation to find the
true facts rather than roll over like everyone else. Bob Fetrow PSU '79 on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
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Anonymous
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on 11/6/12
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Nothing in the
Freeh Report or The NCAA Sanctions have been "proven" and nothing
anybody employed by PSU allegedly did has been "proven" to be a
crime. Therefore, paragraph one should only reference the crimes of Jerry
Sandusky. Rodney Erickson and The BOT have been anything but
"transparent". There is a great deal of confusion about what
Erickson did or did not say to the NCAA; what the NCAA said to him. The BOT
refusal to answer legitimate questions, provide information or explanations
is anything but transparent. And they are providing anything but
"governance" Any reference to Erickson and The BOT will just draw
attention to their shortcomings. The larger issue is why do you feel the need
to make a statement now and why a statement like this rather than a demand
for an independent investigation, a release of all information, especially
who on The BOT did what relative to the lynching of Joe Paterno and the
acceptance of the Freeh Report without it ever being read or discussed? on Senate to Consider Resolution in Praise of University
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