Penn State Scandal - Human Behavior
Case Study
“Penn State Scandal – From A Human Behavior Perspective”
Elisa-Ruth Nelson
Southern New Hampshire University
Introduction
November 5, 2011, Pennsylvania grand jury indicted former Penn State assistant coach Gerald Sandusky, accusing him of sexually assaulting young boys. On June 22, 2012, Sandusky was found guilty of 45 of 48 child sex abuse charges. Nearly four months later, (October 9, 2012) Sandusky received a 30 – 60 year sentence. This scandal eventually forced further investigations into whether or not Penn State officials neglected to act when individuals reported Sandusky’s inappropriate behavior with young boys. It also tainted a highly revered university and led to the firing of its college coach along with other university top officials. This case study will analyze how according to former FBI director Louis Freeh’s report the most “powerful men at Penn State failed to take any steps for 14 years to protect the children Sandusky victimized” and “never demonstrated, through actions or words, any concern for the safety and well-being of Sandusky’s victims” until after he was arrested. Specifically, I will focus on possible motivations that led to the leadership’s inactions; how the organizational culture of Penn State’s football program impacted leadership’s poor decision making prior to and during this scandal, and the abuse of power in order to preserve success and safeguard the university’s illustrious reputation. Finally, I will present plausible solutions, as a “way ahead” to ensure this type of situation does not happen in the future and promote a renewed positive culture change.
Major Players
According to the outcome of an internal review led by Louis Freeh, former FBI director, the most powerful leaders at Penn State showed “total and consistent disregard” for child sex abuse victims and covered up the attacks of sexual predator Jerry Sandusky. Penn State President Graham Spanier, Vice President of Business and
“Penn State Scandal – From A Human Behavior Perspective”
Elisa-Ruth Nelson
Southern New Hampshire University
Introduction
November 5, 2011, Pennsylvania grand jury indicted former Penn State assistant coach Gerald Sandusky, accusing him of sexually assaulting young boys. On June 22, 2012, Sandusky was found guilty of 45 of 48 child sex abuse charges. Nearly four months later, (October 9, 2012) Sandusky received a 30 – 60 year sentence. This scandal eventually forced further investigations into whether or not Penn State officials neglected to act when individuals reported Sandusky’s inappropriate behavior with young boys. It also tainted a highly revered university and led to the firing of its college coach along with other university top officials. This case study will analyze how according to former FBI director Louis Freeh’s report the most “powerful men at Penn State failed to take any steps for 14 years to protect the children Sandusky victimized” and “never demonstrated, through actions or words, any concern for the safety and well-being of Sandusky’s victims” until after he was arrested. Specifically, I will focus on possible motivations that led to the leadership’s inactions; how the organizational culture of Penn State’s football program impacted leadership’s poor decision making prior to and during this scandal, and the abuse of power in order to preserve success and safeguard the university’s illustrious reputation. Finally, I will present plausible solutions, as a “way ahead” to ensure this type of situation does not happen in the future and promote a renewed positive culture change.
Major Players
According to the outcome of an internal review led by Louis Freeh, former FBI director, the most powerful leaders at Penn State showed “total and consistent disregard” for child sex abuse victims and covered up the attacks of sexual predator Jerry Sandusky. Penn State President Graham Spanier, Vice President of Business and
References: Reuters. (2013, May 12). Graham Spanier, Ousted in Scandal, is Highest Paid Public College Chief. Retrieved from http://forward.com/articles/176525/graham-spanier-ousted-in-scandal-is-highest-paid-p/ Boren, C McGuire, P. (2012, November 06). A Shadow Across the Soul of the University. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/patricia-mcguire/graham-spanier-charged_b_2072944.html Hanford, I Wolverton, B. (2012, July 05). Paterno 's E-mail Shows Coach 's Influence on Disciplinary Matters. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/article/Paterno-E-Mail-Shows-Coachs/132773/ O 'Brien, G Grasgreen, A. (2012, July 13). Culture of Complacency. Retrieved from http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/07/13/freeh-report-faults-penn-state-athletics-culture Blackledge, B., Donn, J., & Rubinkam, M Goldsmith, W. (2011). Mission statement madness: Make it your mission statement to change mission statements!. Business Coaching Brain, Retrieved from http://www.businesscoachingbrain.com/mission-statement-madness/ Heathfield, S