Rodney Erickson says Penn State can lead on safety

(Washington) -- Penn State President Rodney Erickson says actions taken by the university in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse case will make it a leader in dealing with campus crime.

Erickson says the school is adopting aggressive new safety and reporting policies and when the process is complete, Penn State will be "a model university." He says other colleges are calling PSU seeking advice.

Erickson became the school's president last November after Sandusky was arrested and former President Graham Spanier was forced out. Prosecutors on Thursday charged Spanier with hushing up child sex abuse allegations against the former assistant football coach.

Erickson told the National Press Club today charges against Spanier and two subordinates marked a difficult and emotional day for the university's community.