PSU approves president search, athletics code

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State trustees have approved the process to find a new president and an athletics code of conduct required by the NCAA as part of the penalties for the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

The university also received encouraging news Friday after the Middle States Commission on Higher Education lifted its accreditation warning and reaffirmed the school was in compliance with the agency's governance, finance and integrity standards.

The presidential search begins immediately, with the goal to find Rodney Erickson's replacement by next November. Erickson plans to step down in 2014.

The school's legal counsel said the code of conduct simply re-affirms current university guidelines, even if mandated by the NCAA.

Trustees during public comment also heard from six people critical of the board's handling of the scandal and sanctions.