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Black shoes, basic blues. No names, all game

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Help us have our voices heard!

  • I'm a 20 year old Junior at University Park and am quite frankly fed up with how our leadership is letting everyone just walk all over us and show no spine and testicular fortitude to stand up for our university.
    Rodney Erickson, the BOT, and whoever else involved with the decision making since November 9th, 2011 has only compounded the problem with complete ineptness.

    At the "open forum" held by Erickson and the admin for students, I was next in line to ask a question to Mr. Erickson before they had to cut the TV stream since it was 8 pm. So instead of asking my question in front of the audience and those watching from other campuses and on TV (which I would have LOVED to have done) I asked Mr. Erickson my question face-to-face, 1on1.

    I asked him point blank, "Joe Paterno was fired for supposedly failing to fulfill a "moral obligation" by supposedly failing to notify the police. However, he made sure that the Overseer of Campus Police, Gary Schultz, was aware of the allegations and heard them straight from Mr. McQueary. Does this not constitute making the police aware of the allegations? And if not, why not?"
    And his response straight up "I really don't have the answer to your question and I can't answer that right now." "Just don't jump to any conclusions."

    You have no idea how infuriated I was. I would have LOVED to have asked this in front of the entire audience.

    I posted on FOS this morning and have gotten 4 other students from there to join me, as well as a couple of my friends at University Park, in writing a letter to The Daily Collegian regarding the situation and how it was handled etc. etc.

    We want to make our voice heard beyond simple message board rants and e-mails to Erickson that will amount to nothing but a number in his junk mail box. We figure the more names/signatures we get behind us, the stronger our message will be.

    Please help us out and let us have our voices heard. Someone has to step up and stand up for our University! And if our leaders won't do it, then we will take the matter into our own hands. If you have any other ideas as to how we can make our message heard, etc. please let us know.
    We will not stand for what has happened at our University nor how it has been handled by our current leadership.

    We Are...

    This post was edited by RWC5113 on 12/9/2011 at 12:09 PM

    signature image

    Follow me on Twitter @rayraycotto

    RWC5113 ●

  • What exactly is your message? What are your grievances? State it/them concisely and succinctly.

    psufan32 ●

  • psufan32 said...

    What exactly is your message? What are your grievances? State it/them concisely and succinctly.

    We're still just getting this started, but basically that Erickson has been a terribly weak leader throughout this all. Hasn't stood up for anything, and has allowed outsiders to take part in this situation when they have no business doing so, i.e the NCAA and the B1G making this about the football program. We're upset that Erickson himself just the other day made it seem like an issue with the football program with his statements about "less emphasis on football" when in reality it was an administrative issue, since, actual administrators and NOT athletics coaches were the ones who dropped the ball regarding Sandusky.
    He has been a walking apology and nothing more. Not standing up for anything good about PSU, and pointing out that the acts of very few don't reflect the rest of us.
    He couldn't answer any questions regarding the Sandusky situation at the Town Hall forum with students, both during the TV broadcast and afterwards which many didn't see.
    Erickson himself said he/the admin want to be "more open with the students," and we want him to know the feelings shared by those outside of the BOT in a way that will be recognized.
    Someone on FOS also summed it up fantastically by saying, "PSU needs Churchill And we've got Chamberlin."

    DISCLAIMER: I like this site alot more than FOS.

    signature image

    Follow me on Twitter @rayraycotto

    RWC5113 ●

  • If you or any of your student friends would like to have your voices heard, feel free to fill out my IRB approved study. Any response will only add legitimacy to the conclusions. Thanks in advance!

    Penn State Altoona

    http://www.aa.psu.edu/CrisisResponse/

    www.aa.psu.edu

    ForTheGlory90

  • ForTheGlory90 said...

    If you or any of your student friends would like to have your voices heard, feel free to fill out my IRB approved study. Any response will only add legitimacy to the conclusions. Thanks in advance!

    I actually already filled that out last week. lol
    I will encourage the others to fill it out as well, though.

    PS-Oh snap! I accidentally downvoted you when trying to quote your post! uhoh I'll pay you back.

    This post was edited by RWC5113 on 12/9/2011 at 12:40 PM

    signature image

    Follow me on Twitter @rayraycotto

    RWC5113 ●

  • RWC5113 said...

    I actually already filled that out last week. lolI will encourage the others to fill it out as well, though.

    PS-Oh snap! I accidentally downvoted you when trying to quote your post! uhoh I'll pay you back.

    It's totally fine haha, and thank you.

    If it works out we're trying to get the ListServe to send a campus wide email out to all students about this survey. This has the potential to be a really exciting and closure-giving study. The quicker it goes viral the better so that we can capture the raw emotion.

    We Are...

    ForTheGlory90

  • PS. Feel free to post it on FOS, I am not a member so I don't have access to that board. Plus due to a jerk past roommate I am not able to post on Audibles anymore.

    ForTheGlory90

  • RWC5113 said...

    I asked him point blank, "Joe Paterno was fired for supposedly failing to fulfill a "moral obligation" by supposedly failing to notify the police. However, he made sure that the Overseer of Campus Police, Gary Schultz, was aware of the allegations and heard them straight from Mr. McQueary. Does this not constitute making the police aware of the allegations? And if not, why not?" And his response straight up "I really don't have the answer to your question and I can't answer that right now." "Just don't jump to any conclusions."

    You have no idea how infuriated I was. I would have LOVED to have asked this in front of the entire audience.

    Really? That made you mad?

    What the hell did you expect him to say?

    IMO, that was an awful question, makes assumptions, and is completely loaded.

    If you want your cause to have any merit, don't make it about Joe Paterno.

    heart ofalion

  • RWC5113 said...

    We're still just getting this started, but basically that Erickson has been a terribly weak leader throughout this all. Hasn't stood up for anything, and has allowed outsiders to take part in this situation when they have no business doing so, i.e the NCAA and the B1G making this about the football program. We're upset that Erickson himself just the other day made it seem like an issue with the football program with his statements about "less emphasis on football" when in reality it was an administrative issue, since, actual administrators and NOT athletics coaches were the ones who dropped the ball regarding Sandusky. He has been a walking apology and nothing more. Not standing up for anything good about PSU, and pointing out that the acts of very few don't reflect the rest of us. He couldn't answer any questions regarding the Sandusky situation at the Town Hall forum with students, both during the TV broadcast and afterwards which many didn't see. Erickson himself said he/the admin want to be "more open with the students," and we want him to know the feelings shared by those outside of the BOT in a way that will be recognized. Someone on FOS also summed it up fantastically by saying, "PSU needs Churchill And we've got Chamberlin."

    DISCLAIMER: I like this site alot more than FOS.

    I'm aboard anything that references Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlin.

    Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.

    appoo

  • 24_heartofalion said...

    Really? That made you mad?

    What the hell did you expect him to say?

    IMO, that was an awful question, makes assumptions, and is completely loaded.

    If you want your cause to have any merit, don't make it about Joe Paterno.

    It's not about Joe. This will be more about Erickson's actions himself and dissatisfaction with how the board handled the entire situation so hastily, and then having to back to "officially" fire everyone all over again etc. etc.
    And his answer wasn't the only thing that set me off, it's how he responded to the students who were asking him questions that didn't get a chance to during the TV broadcast. He was pretty rude to anyone who had anything to ask about the firing of Joe, including a girl who asked what is the role of the "overseer of campus police?" and another guy who asked if money would play a factor in the coaching search. But he talked to some guy for 10 minutes about lowering the drinking age to 18 on campus, before finishing up by saying "but this school has more pressing issues going on right now obviously," yet failed to really address any of the questions regarding those issues off-camera from students.

    This post was edited by RWC5113 on 12/9/2011 at 1:01 PM

    signature image

    Follow me on Twitter @rayraycotto

    RWC5113 ●

  • ForTheGlory90 said...

    It's totally fine haha, and thank you.

    If it works out we're trying to get the ListServe to send a campus wide email out to all students about this survey. This has the potential to be a really exciting and closure-giving study. The quicker it goes viral the better so that we can capture the raw emotion.

    We Are...

    PENN STATE!!!!

    I'll go ahead and share the link with the guys who posted on Audibles and my friends who want to write the letter with us. as well.
    A campus-wide survey like that would also be amazing.

    signature image

    Follow me on Twitter @rayraycotto

    RWC5113 ●

  • RWC5113 said...

    We're still just getting this started, but basically that Erickson has been a terribly weak leader throughout this all. Hasn't stood up for anything, and has allowed outsiders to take part in this situation when they have no business doing so, i.e the NCAA and the B1G making this about the football program. We're upset that Erickson himself just the other day made it seem like an issue with the football program with his statements about "less emphasis on football" when in reality it was an administrative issue, since, actual administrators and NOT athletics coaches were the ones who dropped the ball regarding Sandusky. He has been a walking apology and nothing more. Not standing up for anything good about PSU, and pointing out that the acts of very few don't reflect the rest of us. He couldn't answer any questions regarding the Sandusky situation at the Town Hall forum with students, both during the TV broadcast and afterwards which many didn't see. Erickson himself said he/the admin want to be "more open with the students," and we want him to know the feelings shared by those outside of the BOT in a way that will be recognized. Someone on FOS also summed it up fantastically by saying, "PSU needs Churchill And we've got Chamberlin."

    DISCLAIMER: I like this site alot more than FOS.

    That's better.

    First, leave Joe Paterno and his ouster out of your grievances.

    Second, remove assumptions (i.e. administrators versus football coaches) from your grievances.

    Third, restate your response in the form of questions for Rod Erickson and the Board of Trustees, and as statements for actions that you wish to see taken. For example, a good question might be, "What was the response by the Penn State administration and the Board of Trustees to the March 31st, report in the Patriot News that a Grand Jury investigation into Jerry Sandusky was underway?" Remember that said report contained references to Penn State employees and an alleged act happening on campus. Research the system of checks and balances that are supposed to exist at Penn State for Intercollegiate Athletics, and determine whether or not those systems held up or whether they failed over the last decade plus. Research how much representation the student body has within the University, compare it to similar Universities, and make statements based off of that research.

    There are many reasons to be upset and angry. Make sure to channel that energy appropriately.

    psufan32 ●

  • psufan32 said...

    That's better.

    First, leave Joe Paterno and his ouster out of your grievances.

    Second, remove assumptions (i.e. administrators versus football coaches) from your grievances.

    Third, restate your response in the form of questions for Rod Erickson and the Board of Trustees, and as statements for actions that you wish to see taken. For example, a good question might be, "What was the response by the Penn State administration and the Board of Trustees to the March 31st, report in the Patriot News that a Grand Jury investigation into Jerry Sandusky was underway?" Remember that said report contained references to Penn State employees and an alleged act happening on campus. Research the system of checks and balances that are supposed to exist at Penn State for Intercollegiate Athletics, and determine whether or not those systems held up or whether they failed over the last decade plus. Research how much representation the student body has within the University, compare it to similar Universities, and make statements based off of that research.

    There are many reasons to be upset and angry. Make sure to channel that energy appropriately.

    Are you a MBA prof somewhere?

    Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.

    appoo

  • RWC5113 said...

    It's not about Joe. This will be more about Erickson's actions himself and dissatisfaction with how the board handled the entire situation so hastily, and then having to back to "officially" fire everyone all over again etc. etc. And his answer wasn't the only thing that set me off, it's how he responded to the students who were asking him questions that didn't get a chance to during the TV broadcast. He was pretty rude to anyone who had anything to ask about the firing of Joe, including a girl who asked what is the role of the "overseer of campus police?" But he talked to some guy for 10 minutes about lowering the drinking age to 18 on campus, before finishing up by saying "but this school has more pressing issues going on right now obviously," yet failed to really address any of the questions regarding those issues off-camera from students.

    1) If it's not about Joe, then why is your question about Joe?

    2) Erickson was not a member of the BoT prior to becoming President (remember Paterno and Spanier were both fired at the same time). Even now as President, he is only an ex-officio member. He is not really in a position to speak for the BoT on this matter, nor was he likely privy to their discussions.

    3) Think about the questions you are asking him and then think whether he is capable of giving you an answer to them. Are you made because he didn't answer them, or are you mad because he didn't give you the answer you wanted?

    4) Again, you state it isn't about Joe, yet you mention this "He was pretty rude to anyone who had anything to ask about the firing of Joe, including a girl who asked what is the role of the 'overseer of campus police?'"

    You really need to sit down, turn off your emotions, and evaluate what it is you want to know, are those questions sensible, can they be answered, and who do I need to ask them to.

    This post was edited by heart ofalion on 12/9/2011 at 1:17 PM

    heart ofalion

  • 24_heartofalion said...

    1) If it's not about Joe, then why is your question about Joe?

    2) Erickson was not a member of the BoT prior to becoming President (remember Paterno and Spanier were both fired at the same time). Even now as President, he is only an ex-officio member. He is not really in a position to speak for the BoT on this matter, nor was he likely privy to their discussions.

    3) Think about the questions you are asking him and then think whether he is capable of giving you an answer to them. Are you made because he didn't answer them, or are you mad because he didn't give you the answer you wanted?

    4) Again, you state it isn't about Joe, yet you mention this "He was pretty rude to anyone who had anything to ask about the firing of Joe, including a girl who asked what is the role of the 'overseer of campus police?'"

    You really need to sit down, turn off your emotions, and evaluate what it is you want to know, are those questions sensible, can they be answered, and who do I need to ask them to.

    Huh? I thought Erickson was a member of the BOT?

    BoulderFish ●

  • BoulderFish said...

    Huh? I thought Erickson was a member of the BOT?

    Erickson, as President, is an EX-OFFICIO member of the BOT. But, he was not part of the BOT prior to being made President, which occurred at the same press conference Spanier and Paterno were fired on Wednesday, Nov 9, at 10pm. Nor was he at the meeting that preceded the press conference.

    This post was edited by heart ofalion on 12/9/2011 at 1:39 PM

    heart ofalion

  • You are entitled to draw attention to whatever you feel is an injustice or not being run satisfactory to expectations. However, all involved have a responsibility to ensure it is peaceful and controlled, Just remember students, if more than five of you gather somewhere and break is broken, media will term it a riot.

    nttnylyon

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