Still Life
Commencement across Penn State: Spring 2012
Spring commencement 2012 under way
Penn State, Moroccan students problem-solve together
Finals Week Spring Semester 2012
Children explore career options at University Park
Painting the Lines at Beaver Stadium
Did They Get It Right? - RedTails
Iconic Penn State elm taken down over spring break 2012
We ... are Penn State (December 19, 2011)
Disease stricken matching elm tree slated for removal
Penn State's creamery, from the cow to the cone
The Board of Trustees website has a new design that puts key information at the fingertips of those who visit. The site, found at http://www.psu.edu/trustees/ online, includes information about the trustees' responsibilities, upcoming meetings, minutes and agendas, and recent news. The site also includes links to information about University governance; the charter, bylaws and standing orders; membership; staff; and history. Outlined on the site is the new structure of the board consisting of five standing committees, which were created to align more closely with University operations. (more)
Daniel R. Hagen, immediate past-chair of the University Faculty Senate, reported to the Board of Trustees Friday (May 4) on the activities of the Senate for the 2011-12 academic year. Hagen noted that the year was "likely to be remembered as one of the most unusual and stressful Senate years ever," because of the issues surrounding the child sexual abuse allegations surrounding Jerry Sandusky, a former Penn State assistant coach. In response to the Sandusky scandal, the Senate held several special meetings this past year, he reported. In addition, the administration and the Senate officers agreed to increase the frequency of meetings of the Faculty Advisory Committee to the University president. (more)
Penn State has made further progress on interim recommendations from Louis Freeh, whose team's independent investigation continues, Kenneth Frazier, chair of the Board of Trustees' Special Investigations Task Force reported on Friday (May 4). The investigators, Frazier said, have to date conducted more than 400 interviews with individuals including current and former employees from numerous departments, such as academic, administrative and athletic departments, current and past trustees and others in the community. (more)
The Penn State Board of Trustees will hold its regularly scheduled board meeting starting at 1:30 p.m. Friday (May 4), in the Boardroom of the Nittany Lion Inn on Penn State's University Park campus. The meeting, which will begin with remarks from President Rodney Erickson, will be streamed live by Penn State Public Broadcasting at http://wpsu.org/live. (more)
Penn State has infused more than $1.1 million into its newly established Center for the Protection of Children, based at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. That figure is more than twice the amount promised in December, when creation of the center was announced. The University also donated $1.5 million in December to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR).
The money comes from Penn State's share of the Big Ten bowl funds distribution, which totaled $2,616,184.
"Back in December, we estimated that we would have $500,000 available from our football bowl revenues after deducting the $1.5 million we promised to PCAR, so that's what we earmarked as start-up funding for the center," said Penn State President Rodney Erickson. "Our bowl revenue came in higher than expected, which is tremendous news, so we were able to provide the additional funding. We expect that the center will become a national leader in clinical care, research, education and direction of policy related to child abuse and neglect." (more)
As we approach commencement and all the related celebrations, I'm sure everyone is ready to breathe a collective sigh of relief. It has been a difficult year, and I appreciate your dedication and goodwill through it all. Even more than that, I appreciate your patience as I've sent you several communications discussing difficult issues; describing the initiatives we've put in place; and outlining changes designed to address the serious issue of child sexual abuse (for the latest information, visit http://live.psu.edu/tag/Penn_State_Promise). So for my last email of the semester, I'd like to shift my focus to your efforts as the Penn State community, and your remarkable achievements. Consider just a few recent examples. (more)
Peggy Lorah wants Penn State students to know that men have an important place at the Center for Women Students. "Although most victims of sexual and relationship violence are female, men also encounter abuse directly and indirectly, and we have always seen male victims at the Center for Women Students," said Lorah, the center's director and a licensed professional counselor. As Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month draws to a close, the staff of the Center for Women Students and Counseling and Psychological Services emphasize that awareness -- and action -- to help prevent and treat both female and male survivors of abuse are part of their ongoing, daily efforts. (more)
Penn State announced today that it has retained Edelman and La Torre Communications to immediately support the University in corporate communications, media relations and stakeholder engagement.
The primary objective of this work is to ensure broader and more transparent communications with key Penn State stakeholders, including current and prospective students, alumni, faculty and staff, parents, local communities, and state and national media. The firms also will support the University throughout upcoming litigation, ensuring rapid and accurate dissemination of information to the extent possible given the ongoing investigations. (more)
Penn State officials have enacted a significant revision to a policy overseeing the supervision and treatment of minors involved in University-sponsored programs or programs housed or held at any Penn State campus. Administrative Policy 39 (AD39) has been updated as part of the University's comprehensive review of all of its policies, particularly those that involve children in the wake of sexual abuse charges against a retired assistant coach. Titled "Minors Involved in University-Sponsored Programs or Programs Held at the University and/or Housed in University Facilities," the policy is part of a series of steps that reinforce Penn State's safety measures for children on campus and for the entire University community. (more)
A diverse group of local and county leaders will unite in a ceremony on April 17 to commit publicly to the ideals of a just and responsible community. The "Our Community Day" initiative will be launched at a noon media event at the Arboretum at Penn State and will include individuals and groups from across the Centre Region and Penn State in support of "Our Community Covenant." (more)
