I started my LA346 class this semester with a discussion of the Penn State scandal, and the civil litigation that has followed. I find it hard to talk about Sandusky and what happened at Penn State without getting emotional, and I try really hard to keep my views out of the discussion (often unsuccessfully). But I felt it was an important discussion to have because the conduct of those surrounding Sandusky at Penn State is a perfect illustration of the pitfalls we face every day in trying to act in a way that is ethical and legal. These smart people, with long, successful careers in academia, business and athletics, were so blinded by the pitfalls of a successful university and football program that they knowingly allowed Sandusky to continue to victimize children, and worse, hid the allegations against him.
Sandusky is a disgusting evil human being, as far as I can tell from what I read. This is not interesting to me in the least. What is interesting is how the former president of Penn State, the former Athletic Director, and other leaders, could engage in what the prosecutors are calling a “conspiracy of silence” to hide what Sandusky was doing. We can all say we would report it right away, but would we? What if it would bring down the entire football program? And lots of deserving athletes that you knew personally would lose their scholarships? And you had known Sandusky for many years, and he was a colleague you worked side-by-side with? What if you could rationalize your silence by all the wonderful things your university and its football team does for the students, alumni, and community in the small town in which it resides?
Suddenly it gets harder, doesn’t it?
The law is another story. The prosecutors have built a strong case, as outlined in this article announcing the charges brought against these leaders. We should all pay close attention to this case, because this is the conduct that I believe we can stop. We can’t stop the Sandusky’s of the world. There will be bad people. But the good people need to learn to speak up, and know turn a blind eye to the bad people.
10 Comments
Stephen Wong posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:58 pm
The Sandusky case is disgusting. Unfortunately, society has become a place where success overrides ethical principles. Therefore, people are willing to allow and do anything to excel. The top officials of Penn State had a significant influence in creating a competitive football program (issuing scolarships, paying for a great coaching staff) and I think they kept everything on the down low to keep the football program the way it was.
I think everybody overlooks the importance of lessons given about ethics which ties into honesty and integrity. As bad as Sandusky’s actions were, those people that witnessed the situation and didn’t speak up should be held just as responsible, especially since it wasn’t just a one time occurrence (meaning that there was multiple oppurtunities for someone to stand up and say something)
I think this case calls for a re-evaluation of athletic programs. We all see and know about the motivational words put in team locker rooms and facilities to encourage winning, well I think there should now be walls the promote ethicality, honesty, and integrity. Futhermore, there should be a mandated class for all athletic programs because building character off the field is just as important as becoming a better player on the field.
Laura Hasenauer posted on November 10, 2012 at 11:42 pm
I think the “conspiracy of silence” theory is very interesting. I think it is appropriate that the other people involved in the situation, besides the one man committing the acts, are being held accountable for their actions, or non-actions for that matter. Ethics plays a major role in this case. I do not fully understand how people can sit by knowing that innocent children are being harmed. To me there is no question, especially when it was happening on a continuous basis. It is sad that these men put their Division I football team ahead of the safety and well-being of numerous young children.
On the other hand, I do feel bad for the football players and coaches that were not involved in the situation that are now getting caught in the cross fires. Their name is now tarnished and their football careers, and maybe even futures, are forever changed.
Anthony Mantzavinos posted on November 11, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Similar cases always make me think about the degree of liability that the aforementioned ‘conspirators’ possess. Aren’t the people that knowingly refuse to prevent a disgusting (and unlawful) actions from happening, equally responsible with the one committing them? Although many times history has shown that the system of justice and our sense of ethics, do not necessarily coincide, i can’t even imagine how i would react in the case that ANYONE involved in the case manages to avoid punishment. Similar disgusting cases (eg. boy scouts molestations, catholic priest scandals..) just make me sick to my stomach and make me question the integrity of many institutions.
Wenwen Yang posted on November 16, 2012 at 12:01 pm
This case presents an interesting ethical dilemma. You could look at it form a logical point of view and weight the pros and cons. In that scenario, it would seem at least to me that the chance of Sandusky’s actions being found out is not high enough for me to give up something so valuable to the school. The innate greed that drives all humans is something that would hinder me from adhering closer to my moral compass. It is obvious that Sandusky’s actions are immoral and should be punished for, but the amount of money invested in the football program is not something to be taken lightly. In addition, as mentioned in the original post, this decision affects far more than just the program as a whole. Students who rely on the scholarship money from the program may suddenly be left without the resources to continue their education. To risk not only the program, but also the education of several students for divulging one dark secret is not something I would want to take responsibility for. Silently, I would hope Sandusky never performs an immoral act and that all this could be left behind and swept under the rug. Yet at the same time, I know that the right thing to do would be to report Sandusky. This way, at least there would be some leniency in punishment and Sandusky will be sure to change his ways. By reporting Sandusky, however, there will be definite consequences, as opposed to the possibility that the secret will remain a secret and consequences will be evaded.
Looking at the situation in the eyes of an observer, I can see why the three former Penn State officials did what they did. It is difficult to make this type of decision, especially if other officials are staying quiet. The personal accountability that would most likely alienate the person who reveals the secret is not something I would want, especially if there is a way that it is be avoidable simply by staying quiet. Morally, they must have known that staying quiet was wrong. However, it takes a great deal of courage to step up and speak your mind, especially when the consequences affect so many people.
Zach Barnard posted on November 17, 2012 at 2:18 pm
To put into words my disgust with Mr. Sandusky is not physically possible. I am aghast that something like this could even happen in the first place at such a reputable institution… not to mention the fact that people covered it up, thereby enabling the man even further. Predatory acts should carry with them some of the heaviest repercussions, in my opinion. The effects on his victims will forever be a part of their lives- they’ll never be the same again.
How will they ever get a fair trial? How can an unbiased jury ever be selected? This is when the law has an opportunity to make a statement, heard around the world, and stand up to bad people everywhere. May the prosecutors be victorious in their efforts, and may the true silence be heard after the cell door closes on Mr. Sandusky and the rest forever.
Kanishk Pahuja posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:25 pm
Mr. Sandusky’s actions are horrifying and troubling. It takes me aback that such things would happen at a university and not just once but on so many occasions. In addition to that, the fact that other figures of authority concealed the truth is even more disturbing. In our society today, there are bad people and we cannot go and try to change them and stop them from committing such actions. What disappoints me the most is the fact that others simply choose to ignore the situation. While they are in a difficult position and have to face the ethical dilemma of publicizing the truth and tarnishing the name of the University or simply keeping quiet. I personally see the difficulty of the situation but nonetheless, believe it to be imperative that Sandusky be punished and the truth be public. Penn State will definitely have to deal with the consequences of the situation but I believe this is simply inevitable and the only way to maintain justice.
Stephanie posted on November 23, 2012 at 8:56 pm
It’s still very hard to accept the fact that Mr. Sandusky’s disgusting actions were hidden for such a prolonged period of time. This case has proven to be an example of how an institution’s previous reputation and success got in the way of coming to ethical reasonings. I can understand the difficulty in speaking up and letting down a part of your institution but when it involves such revolting acts it’s is wrong to let such actions slide by. It’s truly a shame that the University was impacted in such a negative way when in fact only a portion of the school was responsible for the wrong-doings but cases like these serve as learning experiences for the school itself, and other institutions.
Paul Fallon posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:28 pm
While I do agree that Sandusky’s twisted actions make him a disgusting human being, and that the people should have said something, I can’t help but feel bad for the people who took part in the “conspiracy of silence”. They are put in a very hard spot. Like you mention, one one hand they have a friend, colleague, and an integral part of the successful football program that generates revenue for the university, and helps youth get an education that some otherwise wouldn’t be able to achieve or afford without the aid of a football scholarship, and on the other hand they have every moral fiber of their body pushing them to blow the whistle on the child molester in the program, which would also turn into the media debacle that it already has.
I’m not justifying the decision to stay silent in these situations, I’m just sympathizing with those put in the position that they were put in. It’s almost like a lose-lose, unless you put if off by staying silent, which is what they did. If it were me, I would probably report it, but thats much easier said than done when it comes to situations like these, where reputation matters in terms of your business and revenue, and the impact such a scandal would have on the community. It’s very easy for someone to say they would report it, but I think the number of people who say they would, and actually would, would be very different, at least in this specific scenario.
Emily Theurer posted on November 26, 2012 at 11:27 pm
I think that it is fitting that these three men are being prosecuted for their actions. Although they did not commit the crime itself, they should be held accountable for turning a blind eye and committing a “conspiracy of silence.” I do feel sympathetic towards the players because among other things all of their wins since 1998 have been vacated. The extensive media prosecution of this case should serve as an example to other sports teams to report any forms of sexual abuse. There may be cases at other institutions brought to the surface by bystanders who are knowledgeable about cases similar to this one. In the future, other witnesses will be more apt to report sexual crimes that they witness after seeing the repercussions of these three men’s actions.
Lisa Cottle posted on December 9, 2012 at 3:33 pm
This is honestly the most disgusting situation and I am so saddened that people would allow such acts to go on for so long without saying anything. I understand the consequences saying something might have, but to the same, is anyone thinking about how the children might have been affected. They aren’t just going to forget what happened to them and by not saying anything just as many lives could have gotten ruined, maybe more. I can’t even imagine if this had never surfaced and the aftermath that this would have cause years from now.
It’s hard to say that in similar situations I would 100% act ethically, but I would like to think that I would. They were innocent children being taken advantage of and that would never be okay to me, regardless of how I tried to rationalize things.
It’s so sad that so many people could keep such a large secret and do nothing to protect such a disgusting man. He may have been good at what he did, but that doesn’t make anything he did outside of football any less horrible or wrong. There were so many different things that could have been done to stop what was going on, and instead everyone just turned a blind eye. It really just makes me sick. I believe everyone involved should be reprimanded in one way or another, the actions taken here were unacceptable and there should be consequences for all parties regardless of how small a role they might have played. I’m not saying they all deserve to be thrown in jail, but something should be done.