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.
Sept. 12, 2022Abby Drey / Centre Daily TimesWhy did Penn State create a new VP position during a hiring freeze?by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegeJust days after announcing a hiring freeze, Penn State created a new office and hired a new vice president. Here’s what the university has to say about that decision.
Aug. 15, 2022Daniel Fishel for Spotlight PAPenn State spent half a million dollars on police overtime at football games in 2021by Emma Dooling of Spotlight PALocal police officers make double their hourly rate when working overtime at Penn State football games, a cost the university reimburses.
Aug. 4, 2022Abby Drey / Centre Daily TimesPenn State did not prove its legal standing to have public court filing sealed, experts sayby Min Xian of Spotlight PA State CollegePenn State said it wanted to protect affected students from potential embarrassment, but legal experts said that explanation doesn’t meet legal requirements.
Aug. 2, 2022Abby Drey / Centre Daily TimesPenn State won’t answer key questions about its handling of sexual extortion involving student athletesby Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State CollegePenn State won’t answer important questions after student athletes were allegedly extorted into taking and sharing sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves and others.
July 14, 2022Abby Drey / Centre Daily TimesJudge makes public search warrants involving Penn State student crime victims after university had them sealedby Sarah Rafacz of Spotlight PA State CollegeA judge in Centre County had sealed an entire case at the request of Penn State, a rare move that potentially violates the right to open courts guaranteed by the state and U.S. Constitutions.
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