Former Penn State Coach Arrested

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by *winter*

I work with like 50% PSU grads so of course it was allllllll anyone could talk about at work today. I can understand feeling affected by it. Something they cared about, believed in, thought was such a positive place is now...tainted. Really harmful things happened at a place they love and have a strong alliance to...it's conflicting. It's just a process of absorbing that THIS happened at a place that you are associated with, a place filled with positive memories and experiences. It is going to take a while to digest it all and process it, for those connected to Penn State.

Penn State is such an institution. It's SO big here. It's seen as this mighty place where everything is so perfect and pristine, it's just unbelievable that something like this could have happened there (or, hell, anywhere, considering some of the atrocities in the indictment!) I guess it comes back to the old tenant, "you always think it will happen to someone else." Only in this case, "you always think it will happen somewhere else."

I guess I could compare it to being a Catholic and then discovering that horrible things were happening to kids in Catholic facilities by Catholic priests. It's confusing, because here's this hugely influential, positive thing in your life, but at the same time, it's a vehicle for abuses that can only be described as torturous. It formed so many of my beliefs and created a sense of pride as a part of my identity...but people who are nothing short of evil have been affiliated with it, even using its rites and facilities for unspeakable acts. It's astounding.

Correct me if I'm wrong, PSU grads, but this is the impression I've gotten to those I've spoken to...

This actually sums it up perfectly.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DaffyKD

PSU will come through this. I went to SDSU. The uproar regarding the drug ring run by several fraternities hurt our reputation, upset the alumni (both greeks and non-greeks), and was fodder for the internet for a few months. The wound is raw right now. As long as the media makes it the top news story, the wound keeps opening. There are questions, there will be questions, there are questions that will never be answered and questions that will be answered as time goes on. As soon as another story makes the headlines above the fold, the students, faculty and alumni at PSU will begin to heal.

DaffyKD

This was about the nicest thing I have read in response to this whole situation. Thank you.

als463 - the people who might lose internships - where are they at? In or outside of State College? As I said, the town has been sucking the school's teat and closing eyes for a long time.

[amIblue?]

Paterno has contacted a criminal defense attorney

http://openchannel.msnbc.msn.com/_ne...tells-nbc-news

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by als463

I've even heard about people losing their internships over this.

This rumor sounds too ridiculous to be possible. If it's true, my faith in American businesses will lose a few points. I saw that Ben Jones had tweeted this rumor a few hours ago, but it's not clear if the loss of internships is the result of the rioting or the scandal in and of itself.

[*winter*]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11314...medium=twitter

McQueary might be next!

[agzg]

Originally Posted by amIblue?

Paterno has contacted a criminal defense attorney

http://openchannel.msnbc.msn.com/_ne...tells-nbc-news

I'm not surprised at that given the context. I mean, I'm not sure if he actually has anything to worry about but it's good to have legal counsel in times like this.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I agree with McQueary potentially being next.

Why is this even a question? Shouldn't they be cutting ties with everyone who had any knowledge of the crime, but didn't go far enough to stop it? If they don't, it seems like it would be a PR disaster.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

When I was a teenager, one of my former teachers was convicted for having a sexual relationship with a fourteen year old student. This woman was a Bible teacher at a Christian school and she had won awards for her teaching successes.

The students LOVED her and she was well respected, so we were particularly devastated when the news came out. Looking back, this incident shattered the sense of trust and community on the campus and it was embarrassing for all of us.

And I think that's exactly why many Penn Staters are taking this the way they are. Their sense of trust in the institution and in people at that institution has been violated, and they now find themselves losing something that forms part of their identity (and Penn State is hardly unique among schools in that kind of loyal identification with the school). There is a reason we call our colleges Alma Mater -- "Nourishing" or "Nurturing Mother."

What you say about what can come of this eventually is spot on, I think. But right now, many people for whom Penn State is Alma Mater are still trying to absorb the news and come to terms with it. It's a very fresh wound. Those people need to grieve for the trust that has been lost, so I would expect to see people working through the stages of grief.

[SWTXBelle]

There is an unpleasant scent of schadenfreude in some of the piling on I see happening. I'm reminded of Greeks who gleefully rejoice in the risk management problems of other GLOs, not realizing that there but for the grace of God go they. This is not merely a Penn State problem - this is a wake-up call for everyone.

Anyone who thinks that this type of child abuse is not possible in their school, their church, their neighborhood is simply wrong. The good to come from this will be if parents, teachers, coaches and everyone involved in education and youth programs is more aware of the need for constant vigilance, talking to our children and building a culture that doesn't hesitate to act and protect our children. I know that here in Texas if I as a teacher fail to report suspected child abuse I can be held criminally liable. Morally I would hope that ANYONE who was in a position to report abuse would do so.

[psusue]

Originally Posted by *winter*

I work with like 50% PSU grads so of course it was allllllll anyone could talk about at work today. I can understand feeling affected by it. Something they cared about, believed in, thought was such a positive place is now...tainted. Really harmful things happened at a place they love and have a strong alliance to...it's conflicting. It's just a process of absorbing that THIS happened at a place that you are associated with, a place filled with positive memories and experiences. It is going to take a while to digest it all and process it, for those connected to Penn State.

Penn State is such an institution. It's SO big here. It's seen as this mighty place where everything is so perfect and pristine, it's just unbelievable that something like this could have happened there (or, hell, anywhere, considering some of the atrocities in the indictment!) I guess it comes back to the old tenant, "you always think it will happen to someone else." Only in this case, "you always think it will happen somewhere else."

Correct me if I'm wrong, PSU grads, but this is the impression I've gotten to those I've spoken to...

This sums it up quite well, thank you winter. None of us know how to feel. Thank you for explaining this.

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Has this been posted?

http://www.facebook.com/notes/beth-p...50439777735860

It hasn't been posted but it is a good representation of a lot of people's feelings. A lot of my friends have reposted it or linked to it.

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Why is this even a question? Shouldn't they be cutting ties with everyone who had any knowledge of the crime, but didn't go far enough to stop it? If they don't, it seems like it would be a PR disaster.

I think so, now that they fired Joe I hope they go ahead and clean house. Start again with no one that was employed when Sandusky was. Honestly they took away the only person we cared about saving, at this point I just want my school's dignity back and I don't want this to ever happen again.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

And I think that's exactly why many Penn Staters are taking this the way they are. Their sense of trust in the institution and in people at that institution has been violated, and they now find themselves losing something that forms part of their identity (and Penn State is hardly unique among schools in that kind of loyal identification with the school). There is a reason we call our colleges Alma Mater -- "Nourishing" or "Nurturing Mother."

What you say about what can come of this eventually is spot on, I think. But right now, many people for whom Penn State is Alma Mater are still trying to absorb the news and come to terms with it. It's a very fresh wound. Those people need to grieve for the trust that has been lost, so I would expect to see people working through the stages of grief.

Exactly. I was in shock in denial at first, and the riot was definitely the anger coming out. Especially because most people saw it on facebook or t.witter and just stormed out of their rooms, not really thinking. I realized how it would likely look to national media, but at the same time, I couldn't believe they really did fire him. I don't condone the acts of violence, they were childish and unwarranted, but I understand where it came from, though it was misguided.

Also, I can hear helicopters outside my window. I'm thinking they're on riot patrol again, though the mood here is now calm. I doubt anything will happen tonight. The worst is over.

[SWTXBelle]

Not victims - simply people who are sad, disappointed, angry and hurting.

[psusue]

Seriously? Apparently there are cops everywhere and helicopters. No offense guys but you missed the boat. I think the anger is over now.

Also newest report saying McQueary will not be coach Saturday due to multiple threats. I was just talking to my mom today and we both said if he showed up that we wouldn't be surprised if an attempt was made on his life. People may be mad at Joe, but almost every parent that's heard about this is furious at McQueary, not to mention the parents of the victims. Link is here.

[HQWest]

I don't have any affiliation to either school - but I saw this and thought it insightful.

http://theschoolphilly.com/2011/11/0...nn-state-fans/

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

In that case, I need to stop referring to my alma maters as my "alma maters." I like my undergraduate alma mater and I have school spirit. But, I never had a sense of trust in the institutions and in the people at the institutions. I was always very critical of the institution and that began when I was a first year student.

LOL. This I do not doubt at all. You learned some lessons a lot sooner than some of the rest of us did.

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Not victims - simply people who are sad, disappointed, angry and hurting.

This, and I might add disillusioned.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Penn State is not state-owned; rather it is state-related.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State-related

Its employees are not state employees.

EXACTLY. People outside of PA. make this mistake all the time. Although Penn is in the name, Penn State and UPenn are NOT state universities. They are not part of the 14 state university system of PA. which are public and offer a great education that's very affordable compared to the many other colleges and universities in PA.