UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – In September, Penn State leadership received a letter of complaint from the Penn State University Police Officer’s Association that indicated a vote of no confidence in Charles Noffsinger, assistant vice president for University Police and Public Safety.
“Providing a safe environment in which our students, faculty and staff can live, learn and work is paramount,” said David Gray, senior vice president for Finance and Business, who has ultimate oversight of University Police and Public Safety. “We also take employees’ expressed concerns seriously. It should be noted, however, that many of the issues identified in communications from the union are the subject of bargaining, and we believe the bargaining process is the proper forum in which to address these issues.”
Subsequent to the complaint, AVP Noffsinger and the union issued a joint statement to University Police and Public Safety employees, encouraging patience as the parties negotiate through the first collective bargaining agreement.
Gray added: “Noffsinger is currently playing a crucial leadership role in negotiations for a new contract with the police union. We support Noffsinger, and do not feel that consideration of a change in the leadership of University Police and Public Safety is appropriate or called for at this time. We respect that process and look forward to continuing constructive discussions at the bargaining table between Penn State and the PSUPOA.”