COMMUNICATION IN A SCANDAL: A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF CRISIS COMMUNICATION AT PENN STATE
Open Access
Author:
Campbell, Meghan Suzanne
Area of Honors:
Communication Arts and Sciences
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Amber Walker Jackson, Thesis Supervisor Lori Ann Bedell, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Keywords: Jerry Sandusky Penn State University child sexual abuse crisis management
Abstract:
Scandals and crises are not situations any organization wants to find itself in, yet it is imperative for those in charge to know how to effectively deal with controversy and steer the organization back to solid ground should they find themselves in the midst of one. This study examines the specific case of the Jerry Sandusky Child Abuse Sex Scandal that rocked the Penn State community and tarnished its once spotless reputation forever. The decisions made in the first month following the break of the scandal by top administrators and the Board of Trustees in regards to communication efforts to its faculty, students, and surrounding community are documented and then examined. Crisis communication management literature was consulted in the analysis of the administration’s communications decisions, as well as community input. Decisions that were appropriate, timely, and effective are noted and discussed. Also, decisions that were ill-advised, counterproductive and, in some cases, detrimental are also highlighted and studied at length. Suggestions for future improvements are included.
