Whether a Penn State fan, general fan, or observer, the past 10 hours or so have been surreal as we’ve all watched an entire program, an entire administration, completely fall apart before our very eyes.
It’s been like watching a movie.
The accusations and indictment of former PSU defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky on 40 counts of alleged sexual activity with children are heartbreaking; the inaction of Penn State president Graham Spanier -- outside of his “unconditional support” of AD Tim Curley and VP for Finance and Business Gary Schultz -- has been dumbfounding.
Watching coach Joe Paterno hold an impromptu press conference outside his home as a mixture of support from students and demand for answers from the press collided on his front lawn wasn’t something I thought I’d ever see.
It’s been complete anarchy.
So Penn State’s Board of Trustees is stepping in. The board called an emergency meeting tonight and will meet again Friday, during which time they will appoint a special committee to “ undertake a full and complete investigation of the circumstances”. Below is the board’s full statement:The Board of Trustees of The Pennsylvania State University is outraged by the horrifying details contained in the Grand Jury Report. As parents, alumni and members of the Penn State Community, our hearts go out to all of those impacted by these terrible events, especially the tragedies involving children and their families. We cannot begin to express the combination of sorrow and anger that we feel about the allegations surrounding Jerry Sandusky. We hear those of you who feel betrayed and we want to assure all of you that the Board will take swift, decisive action.
At its regular meeting on Friday, November 11, 2011, the Board will appoint a Special Committee, members of which are currently being identified, to undertake a full and complete investigation of the circumstances that gave rise to the Grand Jury Report. This Special Committee will be commissioned to determine what failures occurred, who is responsible and what measures are necessary to insure that this never happens at our University again and that those responsible are held fully accountable. The Special Committee will have whatever resources are necessary to thoroughly fulfill its charge, including independent counsel and investigative teams, and there will be no restrictions placed on its scope or activities. Upon the completion of this investigation, a complete report will be presented at a future public session of the Board of Trustees.
Penn State has always strived for honesty, integrity and the highest moral standards in all of its programs. We will not tolerate any violation of these principles. We educate over 95,000 students every year and we take this responsibility very seriously. We are dedicated to protecting those who are placed in our care. We promise you that we are committed to restoring public trust in the University.