A "confidential" document obtained by Spotlight PA indicates Penn State trustees heard the university's diversity, equity, and inclusion plan in secret during a 2021 gathering, a potential open meetings law violation.

According to the document — allegedly penned by one or more anonymous trustees at the time — Former Penn State President Eric Barron presented his DEI recommendations to the board on Jan. 11, 2021.

But no notice was given to the public and no records were published, despite the board's governing laws, which require both. 

Experts say it's hard to know whether trustees violated the law during the 2021 gathering without more information about what occurred, but they say it raises a host of questions about the need for such secrecy. 

Read Spotlight PA's full report: Penn State trustees heard university's diversity plan in secret 2021 gathering.

THE CONTEXT:  Reporting by Spotlight PA earlier this year raised questions about how Penn State trustees interpret the state's open meetings law after the newsroom learned the board's executive committee had regularly been meeting in secret conferences for more than a decade.

The board has maintained that it is in compliance with the law, but media law experts have questioned trustees' use of the provision.

Penn State receives large sums of taxpayer money as a state-related university, and calls for greater transparency continue.

In related news: Penn State claims DEI initiatives planned by faculty more than a year ago were not part of "a formal University effort."

That came as a surprise to those involved via subcommittees set up by then-President Eric Barron following the social upheaval of 2020. 

Read that full report here: Penn State distances itself from past diversity proposals while launching similar efforts.

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Afternoon at the West Fairview Boat Ramp, via @yatsko. Send us your photos by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania.

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