Administration

More than three years of change furthers University’s mission

MONACA, Pa. – Spurred by myriad factors both internal and external, Penn State has undergone during the past three years enormous change in service of its mission. Including governance reforms, changes in leadership, improvements to processes and procedures and an increased focus on compliance, the University has recorded a number of significant achievements.

“University leadership has embraced the opportunity to improve our practices, policies and procedures,” said David Gray, senior vice president for finance and business. “We have had a structured change process for more than three years that has been a significant joint effort of trustees, administration, staff and faculty.”

In a report to the Board of Trustees today (July 17), Gray outlined notable accomplishments in the areas of governance, compliance, ethics and values, safety and security and policies and procedures. He also noted that those achievements are being recognized within and outside the University, citing Moody’s Investor Services’ recent positive rating; commendation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; regular favorable reports from the Athletics Integrity Agreement independent monitor; continued growth in applications to the University; and enthusiasm from employers seeking to hire Penn State students.

Governance

Since 2012, Gray said, the University has undergone major changes in governance, starting with the Board of Trustees. The Board was restructured, new committees and subcommittees were created to enhance oversight, and comprehensive revisions were made to the charter, bylaws and standing orders.

The board strengthened its conflict of interest provisions, added six new voting members, established term limits and changed the composition of its executive committee. It also created direct reporting lines to the board for the vice president and general counsel, director of internal audit, director of ethics and compliance and athletics integrity officer.

Penn State also has seen major changes in leadership roles since January 2012. In that time 30 new trustees have joined the board and the University has new administrators in seven key roles, including president. Significant new positions have been created in ethics and compliance and legal roles.

Compliance, ethics and values

The Office of Ethics and Compliance was created in 2013 and employs a director and specialists for ethics, communication and training, and youth programs compliance, as well as an athletics integrity officer, NCAA compliance staff, investigator and export control officer. Since then the University Compliance Plan has been adopted and Clery Act compliance has strengthened with a full-time manager and improved policies, procedures and training.

Youth protection also has improved, with the creation of the Youth Programs Council, a comprehensive inventory of youth programs, revised policies and new training programs.

In addition to a focus on ethics through the creation of the Ethics and Compliance Council and Ethics Committee, a Values and Culture Survey was implemented and a statement of core values developed. Ethics staff have held town hall meetings and drafted an Ethical Culture Plan.

Intercollegiate Athletics, meanwhile, has undergone leadership changes, including a new director of athletics. The Athletics Integrity Council was established and new and revised training, education, monitoring and reporting programs are in place.

In risk management efforts, risks across the University have been inventoried and assigned to board committees; the Risk Management Office has enhanced reporting to the board; and a crisis management plan was created and adopted by the board.

Safety and Security

In addition to the revision and updating of sexual assault and harassment policies, President Eric J. Barron in 2014 commissioned the Task Force on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment, a 17-member group comprised of students, faculty and staff. This year the task force issued its extensive report, with a set of 18 recommendations. Barron accepted each recommendation and they are now being implemented.

Additionally, the University’s hotline for reporting sexual misconduct has expanded and improved. Final approval is pending for University Police accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The University also has taken measures to improve controls on facilities access at both University Park and the Commonwealth Campuses.

Policies and procedures

A comprehensive review of every University policy was conducted and each policy was updated, confirmed or removed. Additionally, policy stewards – staff and administrators from those areas charged with oversight of individual policies – now meet quarterly. A new policy – AD00 – was created to describe and establish the processes and standards for developing, reviewing, approving, updating and amending University policies.

“There is important work to be done, and we recognize that each of these areas will always require vigilance throughout the University,” Gray said. “However, the amount and quality of positive change that has taken place at Penn State since 2012 is remarkable, and a testament to the commitment of the University community to always strive to make this a better place.”

Last Updated July 20, 2015

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