Harrisburg – The following is a statement issued by Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Chancellor John C. Cavanaugh regarding recent allegations of improper conduct by a former administrator at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania:

“We are all very concerned about the allegations described in the lawsuit recently filed with respect to East Stroudsburg University. Incidents such as those that have been alleged to have occurred must never be tolerated on any college campus. Students must be protected at all times from any and all forms of harassment.

“While no amount of mandatory training can prevent the reprehensible actions of lone individuals, PASSHE is committed to taking the necessary steps to best ensure that protection. Those steps already include providing multiple and ongoing training programs for employees and students, ensuring the strong presence of social equity officers on each of our campuses, and, when indicated, taking disciplinary action up to and including termination of those who commit serious offenses.

“We would hope to create and maintain campus communities that do not tolerate inappropriate behaviors toward others. We will continue to work with key campus officials to ensure that this is the case.

“Additionally, there have been further allegations of improprieties involving the ESU Foundation. That matter is being actively investigated. Our donors can be assured that we take seriously the fiscal integrity of the university foundations and other affiliated entities. Policies established by PASSHE’s Board of Governors establish stringent reporting and auditing requirements for all of these organizations.”

Now in its 25^th year, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth, with more than 112,500 students. The 14 PASSHE universities offer degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Approximately 405,000 PASSHE alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. PASSHE also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Freeport, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.