The Office of Student Affairs implements the University’s rules and policies for students to maintain a 'civil' environment of mutual respect for individuals and ideas on campus.
For information about Judicial Affairs, please contact:
Tiffany Cresswell-Yeager
Director of Student Affairs
214 Saucon Building
610-285-5021
tjc8@psu.edu
Stephanie Friday
Assistant Director of Student Affairs
214 Saucon Building
610-285-5217
snf120@psu.edu
Important Links
Code of Conduct Educationhttp://studentaffairs.psu.edu/judicial/outreach/#O
Frequently Asked Questions
http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/judicial/faq/
Student Code of Conduct
Students are encouraged to visit the Judicial Affairs Web site at http://www.sa.psu.edu/ja to become familiar with the Code of Conduct and the University’s rules and policies for students. The Code of Conduct describes behaviors that are inconsistent with the essential values of the University community. Such behaviors include but are not limited to:- Physically harming or threatening to harm any person, intentionally or recklessly causing harm to any person or reasonable apprehension of such harm or creating a condition that endangers the health and safety of self or others (also see Policy Statement 8).
- Sexually assaulting or abusing a person (Policy AD 41). The University does not tolerate sexual assault or abuse, such as rape (including acquaintance rape) or other forms of nonconsensual sexual activity. Sexual assault and abuse is nonconsensual physical contact of a sexual nature. Sexual assault and abuse can occur between acquaintances or parties unknown to each other. Sexual abuse is attempted or actual unwanted sexual activity, such as sexual touching and fondling. This includes the touching of an unwilling person's intimate parts (defined as genitalia, groin, breast or buttock, or clothing covering them), or forcing an unwilling person to touch another's intimate parts. Sexual assault includes, but is not limited to, rape, forcible sodomy or sexual penetration with an inanimate object, intercourse without consent, under conditions of force, threat of force, fear or when a person is unable to give consent because of substance abuse, captivity, sleep or disability.
- Harassing, stalking, or hazing any person, including sexually harassing (Policy Statement 7). Harassment is a course of conduct which subjects a person or group of persons to unwanted physical contact or the threat of such contact, or which seriously threatens or alarms a person or group.
- Using, possessing or storing weapons or fireworks except as provided for in University Policy Manual and Safety Policy SY-12. Possession, carrying, or use of any weapon, ammunition, or explosive by any person is prohibited on University property except by authorized law officers and other persons specifically authorized by the University. No person shall possess, carry, or use any fireworks on University property, except for those persons authorized by University and local governments to discharge such fireworks as part of a public display.
- Tampering with fire or other safety equipment or setting unauthorized fires.
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Illegally possessing, using, distributing, manufacturing, selling or being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs (Policy AD 18 & 33). Use, possession or distribution of beverages containing alcohol on University property shall comply with the laws of the Commonwealth of PA and University Policies and Rules (See "Policy Statement on Beverages Containing Alcohol" in Policies and Rule). Note: Anyone, including those under 21, serving alcohol to persons under 21 is in violation of both University regulations and the state law. Also, simply being present in a residence hall room where a quantity of alcoholic beverages are present and/or being served implies possession. Public drunkenness is defined as a person who appears in public when intoxicated to the extent that they endanger themselves or others, annoys others, or endangers property.
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Intentionally providing false or inaccurate reports of emergencies or code violations or knowingly providing false statements during a hearing, disciplinary conference or to University officials.
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Stealing, vandalizing, damaging, destroying, or defacing University property or property of others.
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Obstruction or disruption of classes, research projects, or other activities or programs of the University; or obstructing access to University facilities, property, or programs (Policy Statement 1). Disruption is defined as an action or combination of actions by one or more individuals that unreasonably interferes with, hinders, obstructs, or prevents the operation of the University or infringes on the rights of others to freely participate in its programs and services.
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Academic dishonesty, including, but not limited to, cheating and plagiarism. (Faculty Senate Policy 49-20). Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, 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.
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Failing to comply with reasonable directives to provide identification or to report to an administrative office or, when reasonable cause exists, failing to leave University-controlled premises when directed to do so by properly authorized persons, including Safety Officer and/or other University staff.
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Making, using, or possessing any falsified University document or record; altering or forging any University document or record, including identification, meal, or access cards. Includes but not limited to forging (signing another's name and/or ID number) or mis-signing key request forms, manufacturing IDs or tickets, altering permits, misusing of forms (letterhead stationery, University forms) and keys to mislead.
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Unauthorized entry into or use of University property or facilities including residence halls, classrooms, offices, and other restricted facilities. Unauthorized entry or use of facilities is referred to in University policy regarding the rights of individuals and the rights of the institution. Specifically, policy refers to an "obligation not to infringe upon the rights of all members of the campus to privacy in offices, laboratories, and residence hall rooms, and in the keeping of personal papers, confidential records and effects, subject only to the general law and University regulations".
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The University also has the right to control use and entry into facilities for reasons of security, safety, or protection of property. This includes closing facilities at specified times. It should also be recognized that an open or unlocked door is not an invitation to enter and use facilities. The same concept applies to computer entry or misuse. Engaging in disorderly, disruptive, lewd or indecent conduct. Inciting or participating in a riot or group disruption. Failing to leave the scene of a riot or group disruption when instructed by officials. Disorderly conduct may include disruption of programs, classroom activities or functions and processes of the University. This item covers unreasonable noise, creating a physically hazardous or physically offensive condition.
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Violating written University policy or regulations contained in any official publications or administrative announcements, including University Computer policies (Policy AD-20 and Policy Statement 4). University policies and regulations are contained in official publications, administrative announcements, contracts, and postings.
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Violating federal, state, or local law if such behavior has Substantial University Interest on the University community. Criminal or civil decision is not a necessary prerequisite for a disciplinary decision nor is it necessary that criminal or civil charges be lodged against the student either before or after a University decision.
Alcohol and Drug Policy
The use of alcohol and drugs on University property or at University-sponsored activities (held on or off campus) are prohibited for all students, including those who are older than 21. All state and federal laws regarding the use of drugs are enforced at Penn State Lehigh Valley. The University reserves the right to report student discipline information to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of students. Federal legislation authorizes Penn State to disclose records of disciplinary violations concerning violations of state, federal, or local law governing the use or possession of alcohol or controlled substances that involve students who are under the age of 21 regardless of whether the student is a dependent.Smoking Policy
The Penn State Lehigh Valley campus is a smoke-free facility. This means that smoking is prohibited in and around all buildings including entrances and exits.Computer and Software Misuse
Access to and the use of computer facilities, electronically stored data and software shall comply with federal law, the laws of the Commonwealth and Pennsylvania and the rules and regulations of the University. Misuse of computers, computer facilities, and software are violations of law and may be prosecuted as such. Members of the University community may also be subjected to University regulations to:
- Intentionally and without authorization, access, alter, interfere with the operation of, damage or destroy all or any computer, system, computer network, computer software, computer program, or computer database
- Intentionally or knowingly without authorization, give or publish a password, identifying code, personal identification number or other confidential information about a computer, computer system, computer network or database.
University regulations apply to all University computers and computer equipment, computer data and all data owned or held through agreement by the University. These regulations may also apply to computer equipment and data belonging to or held by agreement by members of the University community or others when violations are deemed to have a substantial adverse effect upon the University community or upon individual members of the University community.
For specific information about the University's policy on copyright infringement, please review Policy AD-20.