OT: Spanier's In the Lion's Den - I finally picked up a copy and started reading it

[Sharkies]

I'm a quarter of the way through.. couple quick thoughts and will post a much lengthier review when I finish the whole thing. I also do realize this book is through Graham's perspective.

- John Surma deserves every bit of ire this board has thrown on him and more. He's directly responsible for some of the worst decisions in the entire "scandal"
- Garban seemed much more sympathetic to me than I think I realized
- Cynthia Baldwin should be disbarred, and quite frankly, her conduct, assuming it wasn't shear incompetence, borders on criminal
- Ron Tomalis (Corbett appointee) and Ken Frazier (well regarded board member) suggested hiring Freeh at the outset and sold it to the Board
- the Board hiring a PR firm immediately, their own legal counsel - they cared about themselves, not anything else
- Perhaps I was too hard on Rodney Erickson? Surma muzzled Spanier, canceled Joe's press conference. Surma was calling the shots.
- Surma and Peetz were the only two to rescind donations on their company's behalf, to a scholarship dinner whose proceeds supported Penn State students. Despicable.

Edit:
- Forgot one that really stuck with me... Joe's donations back to the University.. he truly cared about more than football.

 

[bobe]

As I recall, Joe and Spanier played hard nose politics quite a bit over the years. Joe with his ability to garner donations from a huge fanbase, and Spanier trying to manage Joe's seemingly limitless "clout." It was always fun reading when the two butted heads.

But my impression was that Spanier wanted Joe to retire, while Joe resisted to the bitter end, And in retro spect, Spanier may even have had the wisdom to see it was the right thing to do.

I ran into Spanier several times on the field before PSu games and listened to his banter with the folks around him. Never did I hear a negative comment on Joe come from Spanier's lips.
In fact, Spanier was always entertaining, a magician in his own right, switching from english to french and back during the same conversation. Seemingly able to converse with anyone - on THEIR level. I was impressed by the guy and felt he was a Big Time university president who represented Penn State very very well.

I read that even after he was no longer president, GS would come to his office on a regular basis, and face former coworkers, during the throes of his own trials and tribulations. Tough (courageous) guy.

I saw him as incredibly talented, and doing his job (very well, indeed.). But he knew not to tangle with Joe "too much" recognizing Joes huge popularity.

SO I'll be interested in hearing your thoughts as you finish Spanier's book.

Thanks for posting.

 

[PSU1969A]

It is my opinion, that GS's book tells more of the truth than some unnamed Harrisburg reporters and the media in general. It is an enlightening read to say the least.

 

[Nitt1300]

Like Joe- and all PSU alums- he was royally screwed by One Term Tommy.

 

[martypsu]

I'm a quarter of the way through.. couple quick thoughts and will post a much lengthier review when I finish the whole thing. I also do realize this book is through Graham's perspective.

- John Surma deserves every bit of ire this board has thrown on him and more. He's directly responsible for some of the worst decisions in the entire "scandal"
- Garban seemed much more sympathetic to me than I think I realized
- Cynthia Baldwin should be disbarred, and quite frankly, her conduct, assuming it wasn't shear incompetence, borders on criminal
- Rom Tomalis (Corbett appointee) and Ken Frazier (well regarded board member) suggested hiring Freeh at the outset and sold it to the Board
- the Board hiring a PR firm immediately, their own legal counsel - they cared about themselves, not anything else
- Perhaps I was too hard on Rodney Erickson? Surma muzzled Spanier, canceled Joe's press conference. Surma was calling the shots.
- Surma and Peetz were the only two to rescind donations on their company's behalf, to a scholarship dinner whose proceeds supported Penn State students. Despicable.

Edit:
- Forgot one that really stuck with me... Joe's donations back to the University.. he truly cared about more than football.

I read the book and agree with what you said except that nothing forgives Erickson's cowardice.

 

[Psumatt85]

I read the book and agree with what you said wxcept that nothing forgives Erickson's cowardice.

Haven’t read the book yet, but I have real trouble ever seeing positive in Erickson

 

[Bvillebaron]

Like Joe- and all PSU alums- he was royally screwed by One Term Tommy.

Which is precisely why he had one term.

 

[Bvillebaron]

I'm a quarter of the way through.. couple quick thoughts and will post a much lengthier review when I finish the whole thing. I also do realize this book is through Graham's perspective.

- John Surma deserves every bit of ire this board has thrown on him and more. He's directly responsible for some of the worst decisions in the entire "scandal"
- Garban seemed much more sympathetic to me than I think I realized
- Cynthia Baldwin should be disbarred, and quite frankly, her conduct, assuming it wasn't shear incompetence, borders on criminal
- Rom Tomalis (Corbett appointee) and Ken Frazier (well regarded board member) suggested hiring Freeh at the outset and sold it to the Board
- the Board hiring a PR firm immediately, their own legal counsel - they cared about themselves, not anything else
- Perhaps I was too hard on Rodney Erickson? Surma muzzled Spanier, canceled Joe's press conference. Surma was calling the shots.
- Surma and Peetz were the only two to rescind donations on their company's behalf, to a scholarship dinner whose proceeds supported Penn State students. Despicable.

Edit:
- Forgot one that really stuck with me... Joe's donations back to the University.. he truly cared about more than football.

Frazier well regarded board member? Frazier wanted to hire Freeh because he knew he was a ***** who would say whatever you wanted in his “expert” report. Maybe someone on here can tell me when Freeh is coming back to answers questions like he promised during the press conference; I have a few I would like to ask him.

 

[Sharkies]

Like Joe- and all PSU alums- he was royally screwed by One Term Tommy.

Only a quarter of the way through, and ignoring politics entirely - he threw all of us under the bus.

 

[Bob78]

I'm a quarter of the way through.. couple quick thoughts and will post a much lengthier review when I finish the whole thing. I also do realize this book is through Graham's perspective.

- John Surma deserves every bit of ire this board has thrown on him and more. He's directly responsible for some of the worst decisions in the entire "scandal"
- Garban seemed much more sympathetic to me than I think I realized
- Cynthia Baldwin should be disbarred, and quite frankly, her conduct, assuming it wasn't shear incompetence, borders on criminal
- Rom Tomalis (Corbett appointee) and Ken Frazier (well regarded board member) suggested hiring Freeh at the outset and sold it to the Board
- the Board hiring a PR firm immediately, their own legal counsel - they cared about themselves, not anything else
- Perhaps I was too hard on Rodney Erickson? Surma muzzled Spanier, canceled Joe's press conference. Surma was calling the shots.
- Surma and Peetz were the only two to rescind donations on their company's behalf, to a scholarship dinner whose proceeds supported Penn State students. Despicable.

Edit:
- Forgot one that really stuck with me... Joe's donations back to the University.. he truly cared about more than football.

Fwiw, as I understand it, Garban suffered personally from this for quite a while. He knew what the BOT was doing was the wrong course of action. He did the right thing in recusing himself due to his close relationship with Joe, but then his opinions were muted. He battled some degree of depression over how this all played out, knowing what they were doing and did to PSU and the individuals who had served PSU so well for so long. That said, perhaps he should have spoken up and been forceful in expressing his concerns, but that train was rolling downhill at high speed.

Frazier was well-regarded prior to the crisis. Most all of them were. But they did not understand the difference between handling a corporate crisis and handling one at their beloved academic institution. Ironically, those "leaders" were by far in the minority of anyone connected to PSU in most any way in understanding that their approach was a failing one from the start. Other schools took their poor example as a case study and their leaders easily figured out how to handle similar or other crises without flushing away their goodwill. We didn't know what we didn't know about how poorly they would perform under real pressure, and that any sense of leadership would evaporate in the heat.

The OGBOT was so consumed by ego and fear for their own reputations that they flushed away the best goodwill asset any athletic dept. had ever had. Short-sighted, to say the least. Cowardly, not smart, narrow-thinking to say more.

 

[Zenophile]

Amen about Surma, Peetz, Frazier, Tomalis, Corbett, et al. But I have come to regard the quiet then-board members who were around them with increasing disdain for their continued silence on this matter 11 years later. Cowards, every one.

Though it is almost certainly futile, I‘m still waiting for someone to do the right thing.

 

[Nitt1300]

Amen about Surma, Peetz, Frazier, Tomalis, Corbett, et al. But I have come to regard the quiet then-board members who were around them with increasing disdain for their continued silence on this matter 11 years later. Cowards, every one.

Though it is almost certainly futile, I‘m still wait for someone to do the right thing.

 

[Bob78]

Amen about Surma, Peet’s, Frazier, Tomalis, and Corbett. But I have come to regard the quiet then-board members who were around them with increasing disdain for their continued silence on this matter 11 years later. Cowards, every one.

Though it is almost certainly futile, I‘m still wait for someone to do the right thing.

Agree. When we needed courageous leadership the most, we got none. The four people most capable of providing it were silenced.

I like that Spanier wrote a book that addresses the cowardice and inanities of many of the people and parities involved. As much as he does not hold back, I felt he actually could have gone more in depth with some people and situations. For example, he talks about the Second Mile, but I thought he could have even deeper into more aspects of that organization and the OGBOT who were big supporters of it.... and who possibly had heard similar rumors - if they existed - about JS, but did nothing. Their frantic rush to make sure they were out from under any spotlight is very telling, imo. Again, if there were even any rumors about JS prior to '98 and '01.

 

[BobPSU92]

Frazier well regarded board member? Frazier wanted to hire Freeh because he knew he was a ***** who would say whatever you wanted in his “expert” report. Maybe someone on here can tell me when Freeh is coming back to answers questions like he promised during the press conference; I have a few I would like to ask him.

freeh has an eye on it.

 

[NittPicker]

Fwiw, as I understand it, Garban suffered personally from this for quite a while. He knew what the BOT was doing was the wrong course of action. He did the right thing in recusing himself due to his close relationship with Joe, but then his opinions were muted. He battled some degree of depression over how this all played out, knowing what they were doing and did to PSU and the individuals who had served PSU so well for so long. That said, perhaps he should have spoken up and been forceful in expressing his concerns, but that train was rolling downhill at high speed.

The OGBOT was so consumed by ego and fear for their own reputations that they flushed away the best goodwill asset any athletic dept. had ever had. Short-sighted, to say the least. Cowardly, not smart, narrow-thinking to say more.

I believe Garban was the only OGBOT member who stated publicly afterward that he felt guilt over how things went down. Of course it was after time had gone by and nothing could be done. While it was nice to hear his honesty, it doesn't change the fact he was part of the failure of leadership. There was nothing to stop him publicly stating his reservations in November 2011. As you wrote, it was ego and worry over his own reputation which kept him quiet. Had he displayed the ability to stand up to the OGBOT cabal when it mattered, he'd be forever held in high regard by PSU alums at large. Speaking out well after the fact puts him only slightly above Frazier, Surma, Peetz, Suhey, Corbett, Masser, Riley, et al.

 

[Zenophile]

Al Clemens spoke up and renounced the decision making at the end of his tenure.

You may recall that Surma “retired” shortly after laying waste to our community. The full roster of remaining board members can be found at this link.

 

[JakkL]

I know someone who was on the first grand jury. This person said that they believed the 8 accusers. They also said that they believed spanier, curley and Schultz all knew. What I dont know is WHEN they knew. Did they KNOW while it was happening or did they KNOW when they testified? It's very possible that they didn't believe it until they were called to testify and at that point it sunk in that Sandusky wasn't just horsing around with 2nd mile kids in the shower.

 

[Bob78]

I know someone who was on the first grand jury. This person said that they believed the 8 accusers. They also said that they believed spanier, curley and Schultz all knew. What I dont know is WHEN they knew. Did they KNOW while it was happening or did they KNOW when they testified? It's very possible that they didn't believe it until they were called to testify and at that point it sunk in that Sandusky wasn't just horsing around with 2nd mile kids in the shower.

I am certain they did not know in '01. It was not reported to them as a criminal activity. The information received made it seem like another '98. Curley took it to the head of TSM, who also told him he believed it was nothing criminal.
The experts in '98 and '01 said nothing criminal, and the PSU Admins believed them. Not sure that many people at that time and place in 2001 - not with hindsight - would have thought otherwise.
By 2010 and 2011, the investigation and new accusations had likely made most everyone question what they thought they knew and understood a decade earlier. That was one of many issues with questioning people 10 years after the event, and laying out new suspicions that they had not considered because they had scant reason to do so at the time. They are human, and imo, acted reasonably at the time.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

- Ron Tomalis (Corbett appointee) and Ken Frazier (well regarded board member) suggested hiring Freeh at the outset and sold it to the Board

Just a small clarification. Tomalis wasn't a Gov. Corbett appointee to the BOT, per se. The BOT does have 6 trustees that are Governor appointees (they have to be approved by the PA Senate). Tomalis was appointed (nominated, and approved by the PA Senate) by Corbett as the PA Secretary of Education. Per the Charter of PSU, the PA secretaries of Education, of Agriculture, and of Conservation & Natural Resources automatically are ex-officio trustees of PSU.

 

[PSUFTG]

I believe Garban was the only OGBOT member who stated publicly afterward that he felt guilt over how things went down. Of course it was after time had gone by and nothing could be done. While it was nice to hear his honesty, it doesn't change the fact he was part of the failure of leadership. There was nothing to stop him publicly stating his reservations in November 2011. As you wrote, it was ego and worry over his own reputation which kept him quiet. Had he displayed the ability to stand up to the OGBOT cabal when it mattered, he'd be forever held in high regard by PSU alums at large. Speaking out well after the fact puts him only slightly above Frazier, Surma, Peetz, Suhey, Corbett, Masser, Riley, et al.

If you think it was bad back then (2010-11ish) - read this:
Beaver Stadium and the Iron Lady – BARRY FENCHAK

As someone who was paying close attention "before Sandusky", and ever since, I can say with no reservation it is worse now than it was then (significantly worse), and now - as opposed to then - PSU does not have the advantages of "charismatic leadership" that it had in previous decades.

 

[BobPSU92]

If you think it was bad back then (2010-11ish) - read this:
Beaver Stadium and the Iron Lady – BARRY FENCHAK

As someone who was paying close attention "before Sandusky", and ever since, I can say with no reservation it is worse now than it was then (significantly worse), and now - as opposed to then - PSU does not have the advantages of "charismatic leadership" that it had in previous decades.

I sleep well knowing that Neeli’s got this.

 

[marshall23]

Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan.......all used the actions of the PSU Ship of Fools as a manual of what not to do.

 

[psykim]

I read Graham's book and I think what he says rings true to me. The PSU coach "witness" Mike McQueary was repeatedly asked by a friend of his dad's, a physician, was there anything sexual in what he saw and he said no.This conversation took place soon after the shower incident. Thus, the physician, a mandated reporter, did not call the child abuse number. Graham, who had met Coach Sandusky once and had zero reason to defend a prior PSU coach, asked a similar question in 2002 (to the AD) and was told there was nothing sexual.The Second mile, led by a licensed psychologist, who had more knowledge of child abuse than a footbal coach, was told the same information as PSU coaches and made no child abuse reports. Of course, McQueary's testimony almost 10 years later had little consistency to his 2002 report. In 2011 McQueary said he saw Sandusky in sexual acts with the child-if Spanier had heard that he definitely would have called the police. When the information came out almost 10 years later, I use the term "hindsight bias." Reporters and others looking at the 2002 report almost 10 years later viewed the 2002 report through the lens of knowing what they did then-that Sandusky had abused kids. None of that was known in 2002. Interesting Graham reported that Sandusky was found guilty of numerous counts of abuse but found not guilty of the incident that reportedly happened on the PSU campus. All the rest -the ones Sandusky was convicted of-happened off campus. PSU took responsibility and paid big money for many incidents that happened off campus while Sandusky was an ex-PSU employee.
That PSU had a "culture issue" was ridiculous. Just a few months before Coach Paterno was fired ESPN had a forum at PSU with Coach K and Paterno and discussed the wonderful culture at PSU-which there was. Sad how Graham's life was hurt by poor investigations and work by the PSU board. I think Graham did the right thing with the information he had at the time-it is easy now-knowing what we do now-to say he should have done more-but Graham did what was right with the information he had at the time. Graham. was a child abuse victim himself. who had no reason to protect Sandusky who he barely knew and who was a former PSU employee. He sure did not cover it up to "protect the image of PSU."

 

[GrimReaper]

I read Graham's book and I think what he says rings true to me. The PSU coach "witness" Mike McQueary was repeatedly asked by a friend of his dad's, a physician, was there anything sexual in what he saw and he said no.This conversation took place soon after the shower incident. Thus, the physician, a mandated reporter, did not call the child abuse number. Graham, who had met Coach Sandusky once and had zero reason to defend a prior PSU coach, asked a similar question in 2002 (to the AD) and was told there was nothing sexual.The Second mile, led by a licensed psychologist, who had more knowledge of child abuse than a footbal coach, was told the same information as PSU coaches and made no child abuse reports. Of course, McQueary's testimony almost 10 years later had little consistency to his 2002 report. In 2011 McQueary said he saw Sandusky in sexual acts with the child-if Spanier had heard that he definitely would have called the police. When the information came out almost 10 years later, I use the term "hindsight bias." Reporters and others looking at the 2002 report almost 10 years later viewed the 2002 report through the lens of knowing what they did then-that Sandusky had abused kids. None of that was known in 2002. Interesting Graham reported that Sandusky was found guilty of numerous counts of abuse but found not guilty of the incident that reportedly happened on the PSU campus. All the rest -the ones Sandusky was convicted of-happened off campus. PSU took responsibility and paid big money for many incidents that happened off campus while Sandusky was an ex-PSU employee.
That PSU had a "culture issue" was ridiculous. Just a few months before Coach Paterno was fired ESPN had a forum at PSU with Coach K and Paterno and discussed the wonderful culture at PSU-which there was. Sad how Graham's life was hurt by poor investigations and work by the PSU board. I think Graham did the right thing with the information he had at the time-it is easy now-knowing what we do now-to say he should have done more-but Graham did what was right with the information he had at the time. Graham. was a child abuse victim himself. who had no reason to protect Sandusky who he barely knew and who was a former PSU employee. He sure did not cover it up to "protect the image of PSU."

Spanier was too smart, or thought he was, for his own good, When Curley and Schultz brought the Sandusky mess to him, his first thought should have been "Why is this my problem? Let the police deal with it."

I completely agree that Joe, Schultz, Curley, and Spanier did nothing wrong and were screwed. At some point along the line someone should have concluded that the ultimate disposition wasn't their call. The buck stopped at Sapnier and he made a bad decision.

 

[step.eng69]

Spanier was too smart, or thought he was, for his own good, When Curley and Schultz brought the Sandusky mess to him, his first thought should have been "Why is this my problem? Let the police deal with it."

I completely agree that Joe, Schultz, Curley, and Spanier did nothing wrong and were screwed. At some point along the line someone should have concluded that the ultimate disposition wasn't their call. The buck stopped at Sapnier and he made a bad decision.

Unfortunately.........similar investigation that landed in (1998 ?) That no one gave a rats a$$ concerning child abuse, with the exception of, I believe Chambers (Psychologist) red flagged JerBear.
)

 

[GrimReaper]

Unfortunately.........similar investigation that landed in (1998 ?) That no one gave a rats a$$ concerning child abuse, with the exception of, I believe Chambers (Psychologist) red flagged JerBear.
)

Yeah, there were a lot of mistakes in this saga. Curley knew about the earlier investigation. Not sure if Spanier did, but Curley did and should have clued him in. Given that history, Spanier should have thrown Sandusky to the wolves instead of trying to be "humane." As I wrote earlier, too intelligent for his own good, but that's not criminal.

 

[step.eng69]

Yeah, there were a lot of mistakes in this saga. Curley knew about the earlier investigation. Not sure if Spanier did, but Curley did and should have clued him in. Given that history, Spanier should have thrown Sandusky to the wolves instead of ."trying to be "humane As I wrote earlier, too intelligent for his own good, but that's not criminal.

IIRC, I believe that came directly from Spanky's mouth.

 

[Moogy]

I'm a quarter of the way through.. couple quick thoughts and will post a much lengthier review when I finish the whole thing. I also do realize this book is through Graham's perspective.

- John Surma deserves every bit of ire this board has thrown on him and more. He's directly responsible for some of the worst decisions in the entire "scandal"
- Garban seemed much more sympathetic to me than I think I realized
- Cynthia Baldwin should be disbarred, and quite frankly, her conduct, assuming it wasn't shear incompetence, borders on criminal
- Ron Tomalis (Corbett appointee) and Ken Frazier (well regarded board member) suggested hiring Freeh at the outset and sold it to the Board
- the Board hiring a PR firm immediately, their own legal counsel - they cared about themselves, not anything else
- Perhaps I was too hard on Rodney Erickson? Surma muzzled Spanier, canceled Joe's press conference. Surma was calling the shots.
- Surma and Peetz were the only two to rescind donations on their company's behalf, to a scholarship dinner whose proceeds supported Penn State students. Despicable.

Edit:
- Forgot one that really stuck with me... Joe's donations back to the University.. he truly cared about more than football.

Now tell us what your opinions on all the above mentioned folks were before reading the book. And what, if anything, in the book, caused you to change your opinion.

 

[JohnJumba]

Only a quarter of the way through, and ignoring politics entirely - he threw all of us under the bus.

Two Ton Tom and Surma recognized this as a way to politicize attacks on Paterno and Spanier.

 

[psykim]

The 1998 allegations were investigated at the time by the proper authorities. They were not ignored.
Key is what did the PSU coach, AD, VP, and Spanier know at the time, in 2002-do not not look through the lens of subsequent knowledge. Also, key is that McQuery's 2002 statements and ones 9 to 10 years later were extremely inconsistent. His story changed over time to an extreme amount. If he had said anything like he did in 2011 and 2012 the PSU officials would have called police immediately. Of course McQueary made a ton of money by making the later year allegations-if he had told consistent stories he would not have profited like he did.
Even though he was a QB McQueary was a good sized strong man. If he had seen something "sexual" in 2002, why did he not go over and break it up. Sandusky was an old man, even by then, and McQueary was a strong guy. McQueary's story changed considerably over time-and he profited from it.

 

[Midnighter]

The 1998 allegations were investigated at the time by the proper authorities. They were not ignored.
Key is what did the PSU coach, AD, VP, and Spanier know at the time, in 2002-do not not look through the lens of subsequent knowledge. Also, key is that McQuery's 2002 statements and ones 9 to 10 years later were extremely inconsistent. His story changed over time to an extreme amount. If he had said anything like he did in 2011 and 2012 the PSU officials would have called police immediately. Of course McQueary made a ton of money by making the later year allegations-if he had told consistent stories he would not have profited like he did.
Even though he was a QB McQueary was a good sized strong man. If he had seen something "sexual" in 2002, why did he not go over and break it up. Sandusky was an old man, even by then, and McQueary was a strong guy. McQueary's story changed considerably over time-and he profited from it.

The single biggest failure in 2001; go to cops right away and wait to hear back. Instead, dragged the entire university through sh*t and ruined the reputations of many because he didn’t have the guts to act on his own.

 

[bbrown]

The single biggest failure in 2001; go to cops right away and wait to hear back. Instead, dragged the entire university through sh*t and ruined the reputations of many because he didn’t have the guts to act on his own.

Hey c'mon, he slammed his locker, LOUDLY, in one of his many "stories". What else was he supposed to do.

 

[leinbacker]

The single biggest failure in 2001; go to cops right away and wait to hear back. Instead, dragged the entire university through sh*t and ruined the reputations of many because he didn’t have the guts to act on his own.

Wasn’t State law at that time, to have the organization investigate it first before going to the police? That was to filter out cases of false accusations between coworkers.

 

[marshall23]

Once again, given the layout of the locker room, MM was an ear witness at best.

 

[MacNit]

Once again, given the layout of the locker room, MM was an ear witness at best.

And he did nothing of substance.

 

[marshall23]

The single biggest failure in 2001; go to cops right away and wait to hear back. Instead, dragged the entire university through sh*t and ruined the reputations of many because he didn’t have the guts to act on his own.

The two professionals who heard MM'S account saw no reason to involve LE. Nor child services for that matter. Referring to Dad and Dr. D.

 

[ChandlerPearce]

I read the book and agree with what you said except that nothing forgives Erickson's cowardice.

Agree with all that has been said....but i am most disturbed by the actions and methods employed by the Pennsylvania Judicial System, the Pa Legal System, and the Pa Police....disgraceful at best and utterly criminal at worst. Cynthia Baldwin should be in jail along with Fina...seems they both wanted to make this trial their big success to further their career.

 

[GrimReaper]

The two professionals who heard MM'S account saw no reason to involve LE. Nor child services for that matter. Referring to Dad and Dr. D.

Different levels here. First, I'm assuming that Magic Mike's account was consistent all the way up the ladder i.e. not a compelling description of sexual abuse. From Spanier's perspective it went to Joe, then to Curley/Schultz, and landed on his desk. His reaction should have been two-fold. First, he's not equipped or supposed to deal with such matters directly. Second, he has a paramount responsibility to protect the University. How to properly dispose of it? Refer it to the police. Don't have Tim Curley making phone calls and then convene a session of navel-contemplation.

 

[LionJim]

Different levels here. First, I'm assuming that Magic Mike's account was consistent all the way up the ladder i.e. not a compelling description of sexual abuse. From Spanier's perspective it went to Joe, then to Curley/Schultz, and landed on his desk. His reaction should have been two-fold. First, he's not equipped or supposed to deal with such matters directly. Second, he has a paramount responsibility to protect the University. How to properly dispose of it? Refer it to the police. Don't have Tim Curley making phone calls and then convene a session of navel-contemplation.

“Paramount responsibility to protect the University.” First question should have been: “What’s the worst that can happen?”

 

[doctornick]

Why would you refer to the police for something that isn't criminal? I get the idea of referring to the police for anything just to CYA but this is a large organization and if you referred everything to them that could remotely be an issue, they'd never have the time to investigate them all. Especially when you have a case report of a similar incident that was already fully investigated by police and was found to be nothing of consequence.