Office of Student Conduct

The Office of Student Conduct is responsible for interpreting, enforcing and promoting the Code of Conduct. Student Conduct is dedicated to supporting students through a disciplinary process that is educational, equitable, expeditious, and just. Student Conduct not only meets with students accused of violating the Code of Conduct, but also works with victims to help them hold students accountable for their conduct. Recognizing the need to be proactive in educating students, it is recommended that incoming students learn more about the Code of Conduct and what is expected of them as members of the Penn State Community.

Penn State, as an institution of learning and a community with a special purpose, accepts its obligation to provide an environment that protects and promotes its educational mission and guarantees its orderly and effective operation for your student. The Office of Student Conduct encourages the expression of diverse views and opinion, validates healthy life choices, and supports the concept of community respect. Through programs and services, students become responsible and contributing citizens within Penn State and local communities.

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct describes behaviors that students need to avoid as they are inconsistent with the essential values of Penn State. The Office of Student Conduct is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the Code of Conduct, ultimately determining whether or not a student has violated that code. The Code of Conduct applies to conduct that occurs on University premises; at University sponsored activities; at functions, activities or events hosted by recognized student organizations, on- or off-campus; and at other off-campus locations when the behavior affects a substantial university interest.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at Penn State, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, copying, fabrication of information or citations, facilitation of acts of academic dishonesty by others, unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, and tampering with the academic work of other students.

When a student or organization participates in the formal conduct process, a record is created and maintained by the Office of Student Conduct. For more information regarding the maintenance and distribution of conduct records, visit the Conduct Records web page.

Parental Notification Policy

Under FERPA, colleges and universities are afforded certain liberties relative to notifying parents or guardians of information concerning their student. The goals of the parental notification policy are to:

  • Identify additional supportive points of intervention for students
  • Become better partners with parents and/or guardians in support of their student
  • Identify at-risk behavior thresholds for which notification would be effectively applied

Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response

University Park:
email: [email protected]
phone: 814‑867‑0099
website: titleix.psu.edu

Wilkes-Barre Campus:
Wanda L. Ochei, Director of Student Services and Engagement
email: [email protected]; phone: 570‑675‑9225
office: 101 Hayfield House

Penn State is committed to providing an environment that is free from harassment or misconduct on the basis of sex or gender.  The Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response (OSMPR) ensures compliance with Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on the sex or gender of employees and students, as well as Penn State policy AD‑85 (Sexual and/or Gender-based Harassment and Misconduct). Behaviors that fall under AD‑85 include:

  • Gender-based Harassment — Behavior consisting of physical or verbal conduct based on gender, sexual orientation, gender-stereotyping, perceived gender, or gender identity
  • Sexual Harassment — Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature
  • Sexual Misconduct — Rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of non-consensual sexual activity
  • Stalking — Repeatedly following, harassing, threatening or intimidating including by telephone, mail, electronic communication, or social media
  • Dating Violence — May include emotional, verbal, and/or economic abuse
  • Domestic Violence — May include emotional, verbal, and/or economic abuse
  • Retaliation — Adverse employment, academic, or other actions against anyone reporting or participating in an investigation of Title IX allegations

Consent

Any sexual contact that occurs without consent violates Penn State’s policy. Consent must be informed, freely given, and mutual. If coercion, intimidation, threats, or physical force are used, there is no consent. If a person is mentally or physically incapacitated due to alcohol or drug consumption, being asleep, or being unconscious, consent cannot be given. Silence does not necessarily constitute consent.

Amnesty

Penn State offers confidential and non-confidential reporting options for those who have become a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking. The University strongly encourages students to report incidents violating this policy. Therefore, student survivors, witnesses, and bystanders who act responsibly by reporting information about sexual and/or gender-based harassment or misconduct (including sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, or stalking), typically will NOT face University disciplinary action for their own drug or alcohol possession or consumption in connection with the reported incident.

What are my reporting options?

Penn State offers a variety of confidential and non-confidential reporting options if you or a friend are a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.

Confidential Reporting Options

Visit the University’s Title IX web page to learn more about campus, community and University resources.

Non-Confidential Reporting Options

  • Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response (OSMPR), 814-867-0099, [email protected]
  • Title IX Resource Person, Wanda Ochei, 570-675-9225, [email protected]
  • Campus Police, 570-675-9111 or 570-675-9249
  • Lehman Township Police, 570-675-1483 or 911

What happens when a report is made?

A prompt response is activated when an incident is reported to a non-confidential resource:

  • The Title IX Coordinator leads the University response, which may include a University investigation.
  • The Title IX Coordinator or designee will inform you of your rights and options.

Accommodations and/or interim remedies may be taken, including:

  • a no-contact order
  • classroom and housing adjustments
  • access to on-and off-campus support services

A thorough investigation of the incident will be conducted by OSMPR staff. The University will:

  • review all relevant information, and
  • determine if the behavior violates the University’s Code of Conduct