Penn State officials consider 100 recommendations for reforms

In the wake of the report closing the internal probe into Penn State’s handling of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse allegations, the university is now considering the more than 100 recommendations made by investigators.

They include specific suggestions to practice more transparency throughout the university, including its administration, athletic department, and board of trustees.

John Culhane, a law professor at Widener Law School in Dauphin County, says Penn State could restore its reputation and even become an example of transparency and good governance to other universities.

“Let’s look at the fact that Penn State very quickly commissioned an independent and well-respected person to conduct the investigation and issue the report, and then made the report public immediately in all its gory details,” Culhane said Friday. “I mean, I think they’ve already taken a huge first step.”

The Freeh report also suggests establishing new offices and administrative positions, such as a university ethics officer and an independent chief compliance officer to ensure federal law is followed as far as reporting on-campus crimes goes.

Culhane says the true autonomy of those offices, and other recommended new positions, will be crucial if the various reforms are to make a difference at Penn State.