UConn President Decries Penn State Abuse Scandal

Susan Herbst tells trustees they would not be kept in the dark.

University of Connecticut President Susan Herbst said the Penn State abuse scandal shows sexual violence can happen anywhere, even on a bucolic college campus.

Herbst told UConn's trustees on Thursday that the incident is a reminder that universities must lead in the fight against sexual abuse, not sustain it in any way.

Penn State has been rocked since former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was charged with sexually assaulting eight boys and its athletic director and a vice president were charged with failing to report the incidents.

The school's president and storied Penn State football Coach Joe Paterno have also been fired.

Herbst promised UConn trustees on Thursday they would never be kept in the dark if any such incidents occurred at UConn and that administrators would act immediately to address them.

UConn’s athletic department released a statement about the scandal at Penn State.

"The Board of Trustees at Penn State University is a very diligent and distinguished group of people and I believe they did what they thought was in the best interest of the school. Penn State is a great institution and much more than a football program. I hope that the healing process can begin on that campus very soon."
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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