Editorial: Honorable task

Temple’s self-analysis on the heels of the Freeh Report is a commendable action.

A Temple task force created in July under Acting President Richard Englert is expected to release its findings concerning potential implications at the university of the Freeh report, an independent report by Judge Louis Freeh examining the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal at Penn State.

As Sean Carlin reports on Page 2, Englert announced the creation of the task force five days following the release of the Freeh report. The task force took its own extensive look into the investigation to note what changes and improvements can be made to policies and procedures at Temple.

The task force, chaired by Beasley School of Law Dean JoAnne Epps, was supposed to deliver its findings to Englert, the Board of Trustees and University Counsel by Sept. 15. Epps said the report is being finalized for release.

With the anticipation of its release, The Temple News encourages reform according to the recommendations of the task force. With the university putting so much emphasis on physically building up its presence in North Philadelphia to accommodate students, it should also remember to improve and build upon its most basic foundation — its procedures and policies.

A self-evaluation of the university to assess improvements that can be made beyond high-rise residence halls is fundamental in ensuring the university is running in the most productive and healthy way.

“It’s always sad when [self-evaluation] is precipitated by a series of unfortunate events such was the case that generated the Freeh report,” Epps told The Temple News. “But I think to the extent it prompted us or other institutions to pause for a moment and ask whether we are doing as well as we can in a wide range of areas.”

The Temple News supports transparency from the university in relaying to the student body the task force’s findings, as well as getting started immediately with the implementation of new regulations where recommendations deem necessary.

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