Comments on: Penn State’s PR train wreck

By: Stern Associates

Stern Associates — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:11:19 +0000

[…] Yet, one thing is clear: Penn State faces a long road to reputation recovery – regardless of its estimated $7.6 million investment in public relations […]

LikeLike

By: RemovePaternoStatue

RemovePaternoStatue — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:19:19 +0000

Q: What are Penn State’s chances of redeeming their reputation?

A: Very low.

The only way to do it is to completely disassociate itself from the actions of Paterno/Spanier/Schultz/Curley by essentially throwing them under the bus. Everything named after Paterno must be renamed, and the statue has to come down. This would convince the public that the current administration is serious about changing things.

But it would be a financial disaster in terms of lost donations. Too many Paterno loyalists exist among the PSU major donors. They are very much caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to outside perspective vs. Paterno loyalists.

LikeLike

By: phillyburbs

phillyburbs — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 02:24:41 +0000

With regards to the PR issue. They knew they were guilty. I’m sure many attorneys had advised them to be silent leaving you & other students defending an image & a lie. They couldn’t say anything and still can’t. A man doesn’t suddenly become a pedophile at 50. Penn State, like the catholic church will be years in litigation over this. The PR issue lies in is my child safe if I send him/her to Penn State.

LikeLike

By: phillyburbs

phillyburbs — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 01:44:18 +0000

I don’t think it’s going to affect getting a job negatively. If anything being a Penn State student during this period may get your resume noticed and your foot into the door. You’ll be interviewed first just out of curiosity if anything else, So WOW them. Plus It’s not the students reputation that were tarnished, they didn’t do anything wrong. Lets not underestimate the intelligence of hiring managers & HR departments. If anything the students will receive compassion for having to endure such stress & drama during their time there. The tarnished reputation of the faculty now that’s another story. Especially if you are involved in sports. Even if you didn’t know, it’s guilt by association. Now that’s a shame especially if you were clueless.

LikeLike

By: Carolyn Thomas

Carolyn Thomas — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:11:30 +0000

Hello PennStateForever and thanks for your unique perspective. Although it may now seem that “there is no better time to be a PR student at Penn State” (and you’re certainly getting a powerful crash course in what NEVER to do!) I do wonder if the acid test may in fact be after graduation when you actually go job-hunting. Holding a PR diploma from an institution whose reputation has become synonymous with incompetent PR may turn out be a liability.

LikeLike

By: PennStateForever

PennStateForever — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:49:15 +0000

As a current PR student at Penn State- I can definitely attest that our professors in the College of Communications have discussed the lack of PR that our university displayed.

There is no better time to be a PR student at Penn State and we have ALL learned an incredible amount from this mess. Other communications students and I have continuously come up with “What we would have done” scenarios and what we would all do if we had that position to be a voice for our peers, faculty, staff and alumni who have watched this unfold with the rest of the world. Instead, we have to personally defend ourselves everyday.

And also, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims that they may begin healing and moving forward.

LikeLike

By: Carolyn Thomas

Carolyn Thomas — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:41:53 +0000

Agreed – and by omitting responsible actions, Sandusky had the protection of co-conspirators at PSU who sat by and did nothing. A tragedy for so many.

LikeLike

By: cave76

cave76 — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:54:25 +0000

Good and thoughtful post, Carolyn.

Sins of commission and sins of omission—They’re equal in my eyes.

LikeLike