Penn St. put on notice regarding accreditation

In this Jan. 12, 2012 file photo, Penn State University President Rodney Erickson speaks during a town hall meeting with alumni in King of Prussia, Pa. / AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File

(AP) PHILADELPHIA - Penn State has been put on notice by an accrediting organization that says the university's status is "in jeopardy" based on recent developments in the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which accredits universities in the Mid-Atlantic region, cited information in the school's internal investigation led by former FBI director Louis Freeh and the severe penalties imposed by the NCAA over the school's handling of molestation allegations against the former assistant football coach, who was convicted in June of 45 child sexual abuse counts.

In an Aug. 8 notice, the commission said that Penn State remains accredited while "on warning" but it wants a monitoring report submitted by the end of next month detailing steps taken to ensure full compliance with governmental requirements, that the university's mission is being carried out, that the commission will be fully informed and that Penn State is complying with standards on leadership and governance as well as integrity.

The commission also wants the report to address the university's ability to bear financial obligations stemming from "the investigation and related settlements, etc." It said "a small team visit" will be made, a standard practice "to verify institutional status and progress."

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Penn State officials on Monday expressed confidence that they would be able to address all concerns expressed by the commission.

University president Rodney Erickson said that the commission "wants us to document that steps we have already taken and are planning to take will ensure our full compliance with its requirements." He said he was also confident that officials would be able to "fully demonstrate our financial stability."

"This action has nothing to do with the quality of education our students receive," said Blannie Bowen, vice provost for academic affairs in a statement posted on the university's website. "Middle States is focusing on governance, integrity, and financial issues related to information in the Freeh report and other items related to our current situation."

Bowen said the body doesn't issue a warning unless it believes that an institution can make improvements and remain in compliance, and "this is certainly true for Penn State.

"We're confident that our monitoring report and the site visit will confirm this to the commission," Bowen said.

[lesserof2evil]

Oh but can we keep our football program please?

[lloydbest1]

My understanding is that accreditation of a college (or the removal of same) is contingent on academic credentials and performance ONLY.

The Sandusky Sex Scandal did not/does not impact climate research (where Penn State is unrivaled) or knowledge gained from the Meadowcroft Dig (Penn State being a major contributor). The "SSS" in no way detracts from what ever quality of instruction incoming freshmen get in their humanities courses or in introductory math. I can't see where "SSS" negatively impacted graduate studies in forestry or agriculture.....I guess my beef is this; in our rush for taking scalps, we're hitting a lot of mostly innocent people and departments who will be sorely hurt if Penn State loses its accreditation.

Terminate the football program - permanently. I'm all for that. Abolish all varsity athletics if you must, but don't take your bulldozer and road grader and level the entire works. That's the equivalent of cutting off a leg to treat an ingrown toenail.

[missyfive]

The accreditation body should be ashamed. The sex scandal that involved the unversity has nothing to do with the academic standards that Penn State is known for. This accrediting body also accredits for-profit colleges which have no academic standards whatsoever. The accrediting body needs to reexamine their role in academia and put priorities first.

[enoughsaidu]

I tell you if I had a kid that was going off to college within the next 4 years they would not be going to penn state. The finicial hit that they will be taking WILL effect all the students learning. The money will not be there for techniology upgrades, teacher bonuse and new hires. This is where we find out really how important the education is to Penn State vs. sports

[ballwyllo]

I tend to aggree with gjc1n1. This seems like some bullying by some administrative types. If they are worried about Penn State's ability to weather some future lawsuits, then I think that they have just made it that much more difficult. If this is just a little more punishment being handed down, then be honest...pull their accreditation right now.

[gjc1n1]

What happened at Penn State is way beyond disgusting. They have already received just about the harshest of all penalties. This accreditation thing is beating a dead horse. They know they were very bad boys, they are sorry and they are accepting their punishment. Let's leave this alone already. Remember, there are good kids and good employees here that don't deserve this excessive punishment.