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But we will not allow personal att acks and agendas to prevent the work necessary for Penn State to rise from what some consider our dark- est hour. We certainly understand and respect the criticism of those who haven’t supported our actions. We have already changed or implemented numerous administrative policies and procedur es, includin g national employm ent searches.As a result, new safety and compli- ance personnel are in place and exceed the requirements of the Clery Act, a federal law related to campus safety. Since November, 2011, the Board of Trustees sought to identify where failures oc- curred in governance and complia nce and has worked to implement reforms to enhance our governance and improve our structure. When coupled with numerous audits - these disclosures provide substantial information to the public for how state funding is utilized by Penn State. Penn State also provides tho usands of pages of budget infor mation on its web- site. Earlier this year, the Board expanded its number of over- sight committees and opened its meetings to the public, as well as created a public com- ment period during Board Over the past year, the Board has considered input from the Pennsyl vania Auditor General, the Freeh Group, the Middle StatesAccreditati on Commi s- sion and the University Faculty Senate to make reforms to our governance and processes. The reality is this: Through self-imposed urgency, the Board of Trustees,Admin- istration and staff have brought sweeping reform and best practic e processes to nearl y every aspect of governanc e and oversight.

In doing so, they have resorted to personal attacks and misinformation to cloud the issues and distort reality. They have adopted a style of com- municat ion with a “burn it all to the ground to prove a point” approach to the business of this great University. Unfortunately, since terrible events came to light over 18 months ago, we are seeing a well-funded and highly vocal constituency that chooses to forget those priorities.

Further, it is our respons ibility to oversee a governance structure that supports 96,000 students across 24 campuses, as well as our faculty and staff. bility to be good stewa rds of that mission and to support the Penn State values of teaching, research and service.

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