HERSHEY, Pa. - The new chairwoman of Pennsylvania State University's governing board on Friday recommitted the leadership to seek justice for victims of sexual abuse, and transparency and change in school operations.

But angry alumni came here carrying their own message for Karen Peetz and her colleagues: Step down. Now.

One group here at the board of trustees meeting wore blue-and-white T-shirts that together spelled out, "R-E-S-I-G-N." In interviews, they said the board that dismissed football coach Joe Paterno and president Graham B. Spanier for failure of leadership, amid allegations of child molestation by a former assistant coach, was itself responsible for gross failure of oversight.

"I'm outraged and embarrassed by the leadership of my university," said Wendy Silverwood, a 1982 graduate who lives in West Chester. "They had legal and moral responsibility to act when this occurred decades ago."

Silverwood, who wore the letter "I" in "resign," said she and others want answers from the board and "want to know where the leadership of the university was when this went down."

The meeting here in the state's sweetest city revealed the depth of emotion that continues to surround the sudden firing of Paterno in November. Board members have received hate mail and even death threats.

As the meeting came to order Friday, Peetz said she was "awestruck" by the commitment of students, faculty, and staff to the school, calling them "an example for others to follow." She credited school president Rodney Erickson as a leader who "took over at a time when we needed him most," and her fellow board members as people who selflessly donate hours of time to the school.

Former Penn State and Pittsburgh Steelers star Franco Harris sat with his arms folded as routine presentations went on and on, at one point raising his hand to try to ask a question. He wasn't called on, and later left the meeting, trailed by reporters.

"This board doesn't have any leadership qualities," Harris said. "This board of trustees has hurt Penn State."

Harris said he had wanted to ask the question, "Which police department should Paterno have called?" The university regulations do not specify, he said, questioning how Paterno could then be held responsible for failing to notify police.

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Penn State board meets, still feels the heat