The nightmare that has plagued one of the world’s most iconic public universities is about to come to an end. On Monday, October 28th, Penn State University announced that it would pay $56 million to 26 young men, the victims of former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky’s sexual assault1. The announcement comes as the University attempts to move on from the legal and public relations disaster that has hung as an albatross around the neck of the University.
In November 2011 it was revealed that former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky had raped multiple children in the showers of the Penn State locker room. Following this discovery, the university hired former prosecutor, Louis Freeh, to investigate the matter. The investigative report revealed that Penn State leaders, including President Graham Spanier and legendary football coach Joe Paterno, willfully withheld information regarding the child abuse in order to protect the reputation of the University at the expense of the young victims. Freeh wrote, “"In order to avoid the consequences of bad publicity, the most powerful leaders at Penn State University - Messrs. Spanier, Schultz, Paterno and Curley - repeatedly concealed critical facts relating to Sandusky's child abuse from the authorities, the Board of Trustees, Penn State community, and the public at large.2" Ironically, the investigation that the University spent millions to fund ended up serving as the evidence the NCAA used to enact heavy sanctions against one of Americas largest football programs. The sanctions included a 60 million dollar fine, an elimination of all wins dating back to 1998, a reduction of 20 total scholarships for the next four years, and the most damning being a four-year postseason ban3. The University was quick to accept the penalties as well asto compensate the victims that were affected.
When the heavy sanctions were levied against the Penn State Football program many questioned the legality of the penalty. There had been no precedent to follow, and the University had not violated any football related regulations. However, football was put on the backburner, and the University did what was in the best interest of the University, and accepted the penalty. The announcement on Monday is another clear indicator that the University is more concerned with doing right by those who were victimized and creating a positive public appearance rather than fighting for every nickel and dime in court.
A lot can be learned from the scandal that rocked Happy Valley. First it shows that even if punishments, plea settlements, or sanctions seem overly severe against a University, it is in the best interest to accept them, because it is the quickest way too move on and preserve its image. Universities strive to attract the brightest and most promising students the world has to offer, and a messy court battle or negative PR is the easiest way to turn these students away. Second, this scandal brought to light the danger of having a solitary figure, embody an institution. Joe Paterno was not only worshiped in Pennsylvania and amongst college football diehards, but was admired throughout the countryfor his widely held status as an exemplary citizen. His power and influence was limitless. Unfortunately he used his power at the expense of justice. As the final chapter of the Penn State scandal is written, the moral of the story is that all power must be checked.