Athletics Integrity Monitor and former Sen. George Mitchell updated Penn State's Board of Trustees at its public seminar this morning.
Mitchell took the role because of the Athletics Integrity Agreement between Penn State, the NCAA and Big Ten Conference. He said he sees himself as an independent participant in his quarterly reviews of Penn State.
“I cannot have an attorney-client relationship with Penn State or the NCAA,” Mitchell said. “I do not see myself as representing either one of those entities.”
Though his term as athletics integrity monitor is five years, there is a provision that states that the NCAA will consider changing the length of the term if the university requests it and Mitchell recommends it, Mitchell said. Any change is at the sole discretion of the NCAA, he said.
Mitchell submitted his first report in November, and his next report is due at the end of February, he said. Penn State is off to a very good start in meeting the requirements of the Athletics Integrity Agreement, but much more remains to be done, he said.
Keith Masser, candidate for chair of the board, and Stephanie Deviney, candidate for vice chair, addressed the board earlier. No trustees asked questions of either candidate during time allotted for questions.
