PSU president in no hurry to complete Freeh report review
PSU President Eric Barron says he's in no hurry to complete his review of the Freeh report begun six months ago and has more important priorities.
Last November, Penn State President Eric Barron said he would wade into a matter that has deeply divided Penn State's board of trustees.
He announced he would review the controversial investigative report by former FBI Director Louis Freeh on the Sandusky scandal that found former university leaders culpable of a cover-up.
At the time, he didn't set a timetable for that review, but noted in a statement at the time: "…I assured the board I would move with all deliberate speed."
But Barron on Monday - six months later - said he was not done with the review.
And in fact, he said he's in no hurry to complete it.
"There's not a single decision coming before the board or coming before the university that is in any way, shape or form based on the Freeh report," Barron said.
Barron, who has been at Penn State's helm for about a year, made the comments during a meeting with the Inquirer's editorial board on Monday afternoon.
He said academic, economic development, online education, the cost of college and other priorities have absorbed his time.
"I just rank those far above that report," he said. "I don't understand why I should hurry. So I'm going to take my time."
If he has time this summer, he will complete it, he said.
"This summer, maybe my life will be a little easier. Maybe not. We'll see," he said.
Asked if he regards the pressure for review of the report as "background noise," Barron said: "If you talk to our students, if you talk to our faculty, that's what it is."
His statement is sure to inflame alumni-elected trustees and others who have been pushing for the university to repudiate the report, which said former President Graham B. Spanier, the late football Coach Joe Paterno and other administrators conspired to cover up child sexual abuse allegations against Jerry Sandusky, the former assistant football coach now in prison serving a minimum of 30 years.
Barron earlier this month blasted alumni-elected trustees for suing the university for access to materials used to prepare the Freeh report and information on candidates for the board.
Board Chairman Keith Masser has said he backs Barron's stance.
Reflecting on the conflict, Barron said: "The board does really well as long as they're not talking about one subject. I think we just have to live with that."
Barron faces his first employment review by the 38-member board of trustees. He said he's invited the board to call deans, vice presidents, student leaders, faculty leaders and others, whose phone numbers he provided.
"Make sure you feel comfortable about where the university is going," he said he told the board.
Barron said he has prepared a list of goals to work on in the next year and is seeking the board's agreement on them.
They include addressing affordability, spurring economic development, improving diversity, outlining a vision in preparation of launching a capital campaign and establishing good relations with governmental leaders in Harrisburg - who weigh in on state funding of the university.