July 19, 2023Daniel Fishel / For Spotlight PAHave you reported misconduct at Penn State? We want to hear from you.by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeSpotlight PA and the Centre Daily Times’ “Missed Conduct” investigation found repeated and documented failures in Penn State’s self-policing system.
July 19, 2023Daniel Fishel / For Spotlight PAFear, distrust, and an ethics office in chaos erode Penn State’s post-Sandusky reformsby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College and Josh Moyer of the Centre Daily TimesA yearlong Spotlight PA/CDT investigation of misconduct reporting systems at the university reveals widespread distrust, fear of retaliation, and reports of wrongdoing getting lost in the shuffle.
June 29, 2023Abby Drey / Centre Daily TimesPenn State, Pitt, and others get hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds. Tracking it is a challenge.by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe way the law is written, along with how Penn State, Temple, Pitt, and Lincoln report using taxpayer funds, makes transparency a challenge.
June 20, 2023Dan Nott / For Spotlight PAPenn State has a 26-person, $11.4-million legal unit. Why does it hire outside law firms?by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegePenn State paid five private law firms more than $4 million in fiscal year 2022, despite having its own Office of General Counsel.
May 25, 2023Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAPenn State’s accrediting agency requests documents on student life, treatment of student-athletesby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe Middle States Commission on Higher Education asked for documents following media reports of campus controversies. The agency will decide whether or not to take action against Penn State in July.
May 19, 2023Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAPenn State’s budget proposal shifted after private meeting of trustees, university leadershipby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe closed-door meeting in 2022 is the latest in a pattern of potential Sunshine Act violations by Penn State trustees.
May 6, 2023Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAPenn State president’s special adviser accuses students of spreading misinformationby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeJennifer Hamer, special adviser of institutional equity, accused Penn State students of spreading misinformation for supporting a professor whose resignation criticized her husband.
May 4, 2023Tim Tai / Philadelphia InquirerPenn State estimates that about 50 full-time, non-contract employees will lose their jobs this yearby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe university’s most recent layoff estimate, as it looks to shrink its budget deficit, does not include fixed-term employees or research and teaching assistants.
April 24, 2023Abby Drey / Centre Daily TimesAffordability remains top issue for Pa.’s state-related universities during budget processby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeDespite a funding boost, Pennsylvania’s state-related universities may still raise what is already some of the most expensive tuition in the nation.
April 6, 2023Abby Drey / Centre Daily TimesA private jet flew Penn State’s president to the Rose Bowl. Who paid for it?by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeSpotlight PA received several tips alleging Penn State chartered a private jet for President Bendapudi to attend the football game, so we asked Penn State who paid for it.
March 16, 2023Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAPenn State president says cuts will be deeper than anticipated as leaders finalize layoff plansby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeInternal messages reveal Penn State leaders are finishing layoff plans this month. President Neeli Bendapudi has said the university is in a “vulnerable state” but not a “financial crisis.”
March 10, 2023STEVEN M. FALK / Philadelphia InquirerCan the public know if outside groups are paying Penn State salaries?by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PAPenn State described an employee being paid by an outside group as “not uncommon.” Are other employees being paid like this?
March 2, 2023Abby Drey / Centre Daily TimesSix years after hazing death, Penn State plans to drop the Greek life oversight it championedby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegePenn State appears to be dropping most intervention and oversight of Greek life, an internal memo states.
Feb. 27, 2023Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAPenn State English teaching faculty say they aren’t paid a living wageby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegePresident Bendapudi pledged to address it, but the university already broke a promise to deliver merit-based raises.
Feb. 23, 2023Daniel Fishel / For Spotlight PAPenn State paid state, local police almost $1.9 million for 2021 home football game securityby Min Xian of Spotlight PA State CollegePenn State and State Police initially refused to share the cost of securing seven home games in 2021. Spotlight PA pieced together the overall spending, which the university said was necessary.
Feb. 16, 2023STEVEN M. FALK / Philadelphia InquirerWhat the public can and can’t know about Four Diamonds, beneficiary of Penn State THON’s fundraisingby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PAPenn State’s Four Diamonds has spent $239.4 million since fiscal year 2009. Here’s what we know about how the money was used.
Feb. 2, 2023Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAPenn State’s Lion Ambassadors were accused of hazing. Why isn’t it on the hazing report?by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe student group responsible for campus tours was temporarily shut down in 2021 while the university investigated. But officials said they did not substantiate hazing claims.
Jan. 27, 2023Abby Drey / Centre Daily TimesPenn State University has not reimbursed Pa. State Police for security at Proud Boys eventby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeWhile four local police departments were reimbursed for services that night, the university has not cut a check for the 70 State Police employees on hand — and it won’t say why.
Jan. 10, 2023Dan Nott / For Spotlight PAWhat happened to the arrest, use of force data Penn State police promised to release?by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeUniversity police responded to 2020 protests for greater racial justice by pledging to be more transparent with arrest and use of force data. But where is it?
Dec. 16, 2022Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAPenn State distances itself from past diversity proposals while launching similar effortsby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegePenn State claims DEI initiatives planned by faculty more than a year ago were "not a formal University effort," a description that came as a surprise to those involved.
Dec. 15, 2022Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAPenn State trustees heard university’s diversity plan in secret 2021 gatheringby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe Board of Trustees’ website has no record of any meeting on the date that trustees heard former President Eric Barron’s plans. The gathering potentially violated Pennsylvania’s open meetings law.
Dec. 6, 2022Dan Nott / For Spotlight PAHow often are Penn State’s private planes flying during a budget crunch?by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegePenn State logged dozens of flights in a month, but won’t say who was on board or the reasons for the trips. Officials argue the travel is necessary for a large institution.
Nov. 11, 2022Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAHundreds of Penn State faculty are publicly and privately questioning university leadershipby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeNew internal letters and emails show fracturing within the university over how to best address racism after two high-profile decisions by leadership.
Nov. 1, 2022Daniel Fishel / For Spotlight PAPenn State’s new president led a Kentucky university through crises. This is the story of her high-wire act.by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeNeeli Bendapudi led the University of Louisville during a period of turmoil, but her sudden move to Happy Valley raised questions about her motivations and commitment.
Oct. 28, 2022STEVEN M. FALK / Philadelphia InquirerPenn State cancels its Center for Racial Justice after faculty push for funding decisionby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeIn announcing its decision to cancel the center, Penn State pledged at least $3.5 million toward existing university efforts to address racism.
Oct. 12, 2022TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerPenn State wavers on funding for Center for Racial Justice, a key commitment following 2020 protestsby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeFaculty leading a search for the center’s director were told last month that Penn State had not allocated funding for the racial justice initiative, once deemed “just the beginning.”
Oct. 10, 2022CRAIG HOUTZ / For The InquirerWhy doesn’t James Franklin show up on Penn State’s list of highest-paid employees?by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegePenn State’s head football coach makes a guaranteed $7 million a year, but he doesn’t appear on the university’s required list of top 25 highest-salaried employees.
Sept. 28, 2022HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerSchools like Penn State self-police student-athlete endorsement dealsby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeStudent-athletes can now make money from their “name, image, and likeness,” but there aren’t many incentives for the state or universities to hold violators accountable.
Sept. 23, 2022TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerAmid budget crunch, Penn State trustees spent nearly $318,000 on meals, lodging, and more for meetingsby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeWhile it’s common for boards to cover the cost of doing business, details of the spending come as the university raises tuition and slashes spending to overcome a $127 million budget deficit.
Sept. 15, 2022Abby Drey / Centre Daily TimesRegular private meetings among top Penn State trustees may be violating Pa.’s transparency lawby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegePenn State’s Board of Trustees claims a legal exception allows some of its most influential leaders to meet regularly in private. Media law lawyers say the practice might violate Pennsylvania law.
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