Editor's note: At 8 p.m. ET Anderson reports on the surprising new developments in the Penn State investigation.
(CNN) - The NCAA says it will examine how Penn State University has handled the child sex abuse scandal that has tainted top university officials and continues to grip the nation.
"This unprecedented situation demands the NCAA evaluate the university's accountability" and the application of NCAA bylaws, said the group's president, Mark Emmert, in a letter to the university.
"While the criminal justice process clearly takes precedence over any NCAA actions, the association is closely monitoring the situation," he said.