Seth Vigdor
Penn State University is back in the national spotlight after new allegations have arisen in the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal. New allegations have been leveled at Joe Paterno, assistant coaches and the university. One man who isn’t going to sit back and take the charges being leveled at the school is the university president, Eric Barron. He’s mad. He’s furious. He’s appalled. In fact, he’s so appalled by the latest allegations, that he decided to pen a letter to the Penn State community detailing how he feels about it. Because it’s all about him.
Dear Friends:
Over the past few days, allegations have surfaced from individuals who claim to be Sandusky victims and from unidentified individuals about the alleged knowledge of former University employees. None of these allegations about the supposed knowledge of University employees has been substantiated in a court of law or in any other process to test their veracity.
I want you to know I am appalled by the rumor, innuendo and rush to judgment that have accompanied the media stories surrounding these allegations. All too often in our society, people are convicted in the court of public opinion, only to find a different outcome when all the facts are presented.
In contrast, over the last two days we have worked to be diligent in reanalyzing the record of reports and depositions to ensure that our reactions and comments are both responsible and trustworthy.
First, the allegations related to Penn State are simply not established fact. The two allegations related to knowledge by Coach Paterno are unsubstantiated and unsupported by any evidence other than a claim by an alleged victim. They date from the 1970s. Coach Paterno is not alive to refute them. His family has denied them.
Second, we cannot find any evidence, related to a settlement or otherwise, that an alleged early assault was communicated to Coach Paterno. This raises considerable credibility issues as to this press report. Others cite assistant coaches that were witnesses or had knowledge – stating it as fact in headlines and text – even in the face of a denial and clear failure to corroborate from the individuals allegedly involved. Other stories are clearly incredulous, and should be difficult for any reasonable person to believe. We should not be rendering judgments about the actions of Coach Paterno or any other former employees of Penn State based on incomplete, sensationalized media accounts.
I can think of few crimes as heinous as the sexual assault of a child. We are, as individuals and as an institution, appalled by Sandusky’s actions, and unified in our commitment to prevention, treatment and education. I encourage you to visit this link for information on Penn State’s commitment.
Unfortunately, we can’t control the 24/7 news cycle, and the tendency of some individuals in social media and the blogosphere to rush to judgment. But I have had enough of the continued trial of the institution in various media. We have all had enough. And while Penn State cannot always comment on allegations that emanate from legal proceedings, I thought it was important to let you know my reaction to the media frenzy that has ensued over the past few days. I am appalled.
Sincerely,
Eric Barron
President
There it is. He’s had enough and he felt it was important to let you know his reaction to the media frenzy about new allegations in a scandal that involved a man sexually abusing boys at a school that he now works at and where there was a systemic cover-up by many people, which helped enable a child predator. But you know what? If anyone can handle the media in a case that involves rape, it’s Eric Barron. He knows all about “due process.” Mr. Barron just happened to be the president at Florida State University, who had their own football sexual assault scandal, with rape allegations against their star quarterback, Jameis Winston.
Give it up for Eric Barron, everyone.