There are numerous opinions on how Penn State should respond to allegations that several top officials knew about accusations that former coach Jerry Sandusky was molesting children and failed to intervene. Sandusky has denied the charges.
But the collective opinion of the hundreds of students who rallied on campus Tuesday night boiled down to this: They want President Graham Spanier out of office. And they have unconditional support for football coach Joe Paterno.
Throughout the night, mobs of students moved through campus and State College, Penn., often under the watch of police who appeared prepared for a riot. They tweeted their movements and crossed paths with Paterno and Spanier, neither of whom have been criminally charged.
Penn State President Graham Spanier, left, and head football coach Joe Paterno chat during warmups before a home game against Iowa in October. (AP Photo/Gene Puskar) Early in the evening, students gathered in front of Paterno’s house and chanted, “We want Joe!” The longtime coach finally came outside and responded “And I want you!” He went on the say: “It’s hard for me to tell you how much this means to me. You guys have lived for this place. I’ve lived for people like you guys and girls. I’m just so happy to see that you feel so strongly about us and about our school.” (This morning, Paterno announced he will retire at the end of the season.)
Late in the evening, students gathered in front of the administration building Old Main in hopes of getting a similar response from Spanier, who has come under fire for expressing ”unconditional support” for two administrators who were charged with perjury and failure to notify police. At one point, the crowd chanted, “Come out Spanier.”
Just before midnight, Spanier’s office light went out, a Penn State journalism student tweeted. The president slipped out a side door, declined to answer questions and got into a van, according to the Daily Collegian. The blog Onward State tweeted: “General consensus among students at Old Main is that Spanier's exit is a sign of cowardice at a time when PSU needs leadership the most.” (Last night, university trustees announced that a special committee would investigate the charges. Several media outlets have reported that Spanier is expected to resign.)
I could not have followed last night’s rally and the unfolding news today without a constant stream of informative tweets from @dailycollegian and @onwardstate, plus the host of the journalists and students who tweeted using the hashtag #PSUCharges.
Following are some of the tweets that caught my eye.
I dunno, JoePa. Encouraging an impromptu pep rally in your front yard is not really what I'd have suggested tonight. #PSUCharges
Donald Wasylyk
dlwasylyk
Crowd is about 300-400 standing on opposite sides of beaver just west of locust. Clapping and chanting "Joe Paterno" #psucharges
dennis mcnamara
dennismcnamara
We need to support the BoT and let them get to bottom of this instead of ruining the University's image with anger and impulse. #PSUcharges
tim vitullo
timvitullo
Students forced to clear streets from police efforts. #Psucharges
Brittany Horn
brittanyhorn
What in god's name is going on at Penn State right now? #PSUCharges
Christian Arnold
Isleshockeyblog
#psucharges is blowing up right now. Armed state troopers downtown. This is really really sad for everyone in the blue and white family.
Nick Miller
NickMiller31
This "riot" is utterly shameful. Are you stupid? Every single one of you is a disgrace to this University. So embarrassing. #PSUcharges
Rachel Cichowicz
rachelcichowicz
#PSUCharges You help absolutely nothing if there's a confrontation with police tonight. You only hurt the university.
Bryan
bshelly24
RT @DailyCollegian: Police have pulled out megaphone, likely to prepare to make an announcement of some sort. Students chanting "We won' ...
Remy Maisel
remymaisel
I hope all ends well on campus tonight and no one does something stupid. Remember everyone is watching at the moment. #PSUCharges
Dennis Marsh
Legomaniacffx
can hear chants and cheers from my apartment #psucharges
Paige Wesner
Paigiewes
Students broke the structure set by police; are rushing en masse down McAllister Street. #PSUCharges http://t.co/PAouzqgG
The Daily Collegian
DailyCollegian
some students holding signs, one says Remember Joe for 409. #PSUcharges
Kevin Cirilli
kevcirilli
Thousands marching on college ave to old main #PSUcharges
Matt Howland
RowlandHowland
Wow. Students marching en masse. Not sure if this is exuberance or anger. Wild scene
Pat Forde
YahooForde
@YahooForde not to sound like your mom but be careful Pat. #psucharges
Cheap Heat
LLUA_Champ
Go to old main. Call for Spanier. Be logical but in control. Stop this Beaver Canyon nightmare and if you can't, go home #psucharges
Zach Fleagle
Zach_Fleagle
Rioting in support of JoePa? He kept a child rapist in hiding. PSU students are dumb #PSUCharges
Nick Thomas
IAMNTHOMAS
#PSUcharges To those defending PSU and specifically Paterno...Have you read the Grand Jury Report?
PurpleNeons
PurpleNeons1
Crowd has now moved back to Old Main for the second time tonight, picking up what appears to be hundreds of additional students. #PSUChargesThe Daily Collegian
DailyCollegian
the students wouldn't be rioting if Penn State hadn't put together the worst crisis management team ever. #PSUCharges
Daniel Dudley
DDisBored
'Fire Spanier' and 'We Want Answers' chants seem to be the theme now. If they can stay under control, this may just work. #PSUcharges
Dan Vecellio
DanVecellio
Students are filling Old Main lawn. Lots of police on the steps #PSUcharges http://t.co/TvPEj0Ne
Audrey Snyder
audsnyder4
It's not a riot. It's a rally... a rally for the boys forever harmed, for Joe Pa's legacy, and for the University community #PSUcharges
Branden
FullCollapse747
#PSUCharges - Spanier STILL INSIDE OLD MAIN!
jenniferknowlton
JenniferKnowlto
All my Penn State friends are changing their default photos to the university's seal or Nittany Lion #PSUcharges
Andrew Katz
katz
Aaaaaaaaand they're back in Beaver Canyon. #PSUCharges. People cheering at honking cars driving by
Onward State
OnwardState
the only riot i will participate in is one on Graham Spaniers front lawn if Joe resigns and he doesnt #PSUcharges
Dan Brett
drunkenlogic
Crowd chanting "Come out Spanier" in front of Old Main. He's yet to make a public statement since his controversial one Sunday. #PSUchargesKevin Cirilli
kevcirilli
Hearing students calling for answers is what we need. Those families and victims deserve answers #PSUCharges
tastetweakrepeat
elly_TTR
I realize emotions are high tonight but please, people, be safe #PSUcharges
PSCD Black Caucus
PSCDBlackCaucus
Crowd is confused and aimless. Fitting considering conflicting emotions. #PSUcharges
Joe Pa's Doghouse
Jschnauzer
The light in Spanier's office just turned off.
Emily Kaplan
EKaplan24
What do you think of the rallies last night? Do you agree with the sentiments of the crowd?
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