Rodless was VP and as was his habit he did as he was told. The push to grant Jerry emeritus status came from the BOT.
From a liability status, having unaffiliated people use your facilities is an unnecessary risk. To Joe, it was just that plus a distraction...which he hated. What everyone seems to forget, is the respect Jerry enjoyed pre scandal.
The likely scenario on the day in question...Jerry had a job interview at U of V and Alan tagged along. He was living with Jerry and Dottie. They worked out and showered after. MM hit a few haunts, stumbled into the building and was freaked out. Called Dad babbling over the phone. Dad said come home. No one wanted to have the cops see MM that way...so see Joe tomorrow. MM woke up and thought better about going to Joe with reporting sounds, as even MM can't see around corners. Many weeks later, looking for a job and knowing that his Dad was going to see GS, Mike stopped by to speak with Joe. It was a very brief conversation, per Sue.
There is zero, zero evidence that Sandusky’s emeritus status emerged from the Board of Trustees. You can review the evidence for yourself. It’s all in the Freeh Report.
Exhibit 2G is an undated typewritten list titled “Retirement Requests,” presumably from Sandusky. It contains Paterno’s handwritten notations. Item 1 reads, “An office and telephone,” with the handwritten notation “OK.” Item 5 reads, “Access to training and workout facilities.” There’s a checkmark next to it, with a notation that reads “Is this for personal use or 2nd Mile kids - no to 2nd Mile liability purposes.”
Exhibit 3H is a letter addressed to Jerry from Tim Curley, and is also signed by Gary Schultz, dated June 29, 1999, entitled “Retirement Perquisites.” Item 4 reads, “The University will permit you to use, at no charge, a locker, weight rooms, fitness facilities and training room in the East Area locker room complex. This benefit will continue for the balance of your lifetime.” Item 6 reads, “For a period of ten (10) years, commencing July 1, 1999, and subject to renewal upon concurrence of both parties, you will be given an office and a phone in the East Area locker room complex for purposes of the [collaborative positive outreach arrangement between Penn State Athletics and the Second Mile] referenced in no. 5 above.”
Exhibit 3I is a string of emails between Bob Secor and Rodney Erickson, circa August 1999. Bob Secor writes to Erickson, in part, “but we are in a bind. Apparently, Graham told [redacted - presumably Jerry] that we would do this - he was wholly within his rights here since the policy says ‘The President may grant or deny Emeritus Rank on an exception basis’ - then informed Tim, who suggested going through the college and went to Barbara, who then made the request of us. …” Erickson writes back, “Let’s go ahead and grant it if Graham has already promised it. We can hope that not too many others take that careful notice. These requests would have to come through the deans in any case, and I can’t imagine many deans lobbying for assistant professors.”
But, crucially, Jerry’s access to football facilities - both the office AND the weight room/locker rooms, was granted by Curley and signed off on by Schultz (no doubt with Spanier’s approval) more than a month before any of the emeritus stuff played out with the provost’s office.