Seven individuals were registered to speak in front of the Board of Trustees on Friday during the first-ever public comment session, but eight stepped up to the microphone.
Franco Harris stepped in after the seventh commenter finished to “pinch hit” for the eighth person who could not attend due to a death in the family. Harris was hushed by Chairwoman of the Board Karen Peetz and told him he would be able to speak at their next meeting.
The first commenter, Patty Kirschner, asked Peetz if the board planned on engaging in a full review of former FBI Director Louis Freeh's report that was released in July.
Peetz responded that the Board of Trustees would not be conducting a full independent review of the report but plans to focus on section 10, which listed over 100 recommendations to the university to respond to.
Vice Chairman of the board Keith Masser addressed the commenter by pointing out the advisory council that is being formed to conduct the rest of the research for the report’s recommendations.
State College resident and parent Chloe House spoke in front of the board as a mother to two children who have been in three Penn State child centers.
House said that the board should look to rename the Gary Schultz Child Care Center at Hort Woods after someone who is “always thinking of children first.”
Linda Duerr, the director of education at Hort Woods, was mentioned by House as someone who the child center should be named after.
Later in the meeting, the motion to rename the Gary Schultz Child Care Center was tabled by the committee on finance, business and capital planning.
"Let us welcome the positive opportunity we have before us,” House said.
Cecelia Masella directed her comments toward the differences in statements between the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Penn State President Rodney Erickson.
Erickson said that he stands by his comments he made at the Aug. 12 teleconference, in which he detailed the relationship he had with the NCAA and the seven key factors in making his decision to sign the consent decree.
Only one student, AJ Dillen, was registered to speak, and spoke up about his personal feelings and the feelings of the students on campus.
“It’s not the students bringing shame to the university,” student Dillen (sophomore-rehabilitiation and human services) said. Dillen proceeded to point at the other trustees and say that it is nearly all of their faults, except for those who have been recently elected.
