Penn State Scandal: Should Joe Paterno face charges too?

Spanier's Presidency Is Likely to End in 24 Hours, Board Member Says (Brad Wolverton, The Chronicle of Higher Education, web-posted November 9, 2011)

U.S. Education Dept. to Investigate Penn State Over Campus-Crime Reporting (The Ticker, The Chronicle of Higher Education blog, November 9, 2011)

 

Paterno is fired and will not stay out the season. Spanier has resigned.

Paterno Is Finished at Penn State, and President Is Out (Mark Viera, The New York Times, web-published November 9, 2011)

 

Was this really necessary? To everyone else, I'm in a funk right now and really unsure of what I should do. I have killed myself to complete a 3 year program in just 2 years, and honestly considering my options right now. Am I just being too irrational?

 

You should go ahead and complete your program. By the time you graduate next year, this will all be old news, and people will move on to something new. An employer isn't going to hold this Penn State scandal against you personally. I mean, let's face it, Penn State has great name recognition. Finish what you started broheim.

Abner

 

And the board of trustees appears to be acting correctly, swiftly and decisively.

The people who enabled what happened, that's where all the shame should go. You have nothing to be ashamed of, only a degree coming to be proud of, from a great university, that's far more than the sum of this small group of individuals, properly being excised from it.

 

There's a misdirected set of priorities in play when the university president resigns but the football coach, the person directly in charge, is allowed to finish out the year. We have to assume? that the DA has committed suicide? (no one will say that yet but then, on the other hand, no one knows where he is either). I predict that many dominos will fall before this is over. Dozens of lawsuits will follow and the state of Pennsylvania will pay dearly for turning a blind eye to this pattern of abuse. No shame on students. Penn State remains a quality academic brand.

 

I don't think this scandal will in any way damage the *academic* reputation of Penn State, so I wouldn't worry about that.

Both Paterno and the President of Penn State have been fired....see above.

 

The last I heard Paterno is being allowed to finish the season. That's not being fired. He should probably be in jail.

 

Both are gone;

Penn State Ousts University President, Paterno | Fox News

 

OK, so they finally did something right. He'll be lucky to stay out of jail.

 

Honestly Penn State did the right thing firing JoePa and the school redeemed itself somewhat in my eyes. There are still allegations surrounding the actual campus investigation, who knew what, etc. There will be fallout on this that will last years but for the next several weeks this will play out like a made for TV drama. I am positive there will be more firings and maybe even an additional arrest or two. Right now the NCAA said they will take no action but I'm guessing that will also change. The Department of Ed. is now launching a string of investigations that are sure to be damning to the school and will likely result in significant changes and probably a skeleton or two left in a closet being brought to light.

The student body who rioted on the otherhand just did a complete disservice to themselves, the school and the school's alumni. My favorite is the 20 year old man who is toilet papering trees downtown while telling a reporter that the Board is an embarassment to the school. (roll eyes) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/sports/ncaafootball/penn-state-students-in-clashes-after-joe-paterno-is-ousted.html


As for finishing a degree there, I don't think Penn State's academic quality will be questioned but be prepared to talk about this stuff for at least the near future, I'm sure it will come up in casual conversation.

That said I was looking at Penn State's online Grad Certificate in Project Management since my employer offered to pay for it. I was also looking at Boston University and a couple of other programs. More than likely I'll be removing Penn State from my list of possibilities though...I just don't want a penny of money that I control or have to go to that institution right now.

And JoePa was self centered to the end, the guy is scum. His next home game would have set the record for most games coached, right now he is tied. I fully believe that is why JoePa did not resign right away, he wanted another record. While they're at it, the NCAA should render a number of his games ineligable (like the ones Sandusky was a coach) and take the record he does have which let's face it, was built upon the backs of little boys who were being raped by his 2nd in command.

There's more cover up than we know about so far though, I have no doubt. Sandusky was to be Joe's successor, but resigned the very year he got "assistant coach of the year". He never became head coach anywhere else...you gotta wonder why and what news got out and how. You also have to wonder why Second Mile allowed Sandusky access to these kids up until 2008 and how many more victims will emerge. This isn't over I'm sure...

 

By the way, this was crass, ill timed and insensitive....but genius.

 

He was investigated for suspected child abuse in 1998. Then retired in 1999, though with an emeritus status including access to college facilities.

The Second Mile, though now an independent organization, was founded by Sandusky.

 

Here's a timeline: The downfall of a coaching legend - The Globe and Mail

Even an independent non-profit has a board. Sandusky retired from Second Mile in what? 2010 I think?

 

Students of that university should be ashamed. At least you showed the world what a Nittany Lion will do, by protesting in support of JoePa's right not to protect ten-year-old boys from being raped.

Well done, well done.

 

The couple thousand? among them who protested in support of the enabler, absolutely.

They aren't, of course, the entire student body.

soupbone, others, a Facebook group: Penn State Alumni for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

 

One can only hope the police will begin pressing charges on the rioters who destroyed property and otherwise assaulted police. Honestly I wouldn't mind buying a hard hat and a bat and giving the cops a hand myself. Disgusting conduct for a disgusting cause.

 

No of course they are not, I'm painting with a pretty broad brush. Then again, how many will be at the game this weekend? A small minority?

 

Great point. I hope Nebraska stomps the dog guts out of Penn State. I just became a HUGE Cornhusker fan.