All Penn State students are expected to abide by local, state, and federal laws and University policies and rules governing conduct of individuals and student organizations. A booklet, Policies and Rules For Students, is published annually electronically and contains the University Code of Conduct, disciplinary procedures, and other policies relating to student activities. All students are responsible for the information contained in the Student Planner and the Student Guide to General University Policies and Rules.
Statement Concerning the Release of Information from Student Records and Sexual Harassment. Refer to the Student Guide to General University Policies and Rules above for the complete text of the University’s policy on confidentiality of student records.
Conduct of Students
The administration and faculty of Penn State New Kensington are proud of the fact that throughout the campus' long history, the conduct and deportment of the student body have always been outstanding. This is a record students are expected to maintain and improve. Whenever a student, group of students, society, fraternity, or other student organization fails to observe either the general standards of authorities or conducts himself, herself or itself in such a manner as to make it apparent that he, she, or it shall be liable to disciplinary action by the appropriate University authorities.
The Office of Student Conduct serves as a valuable resource for the University community by promoting a safe living and learning environment. Penn State identifies unacceptable student behavior in a document called the Code of Conduct. Students should familiarize themselves with the expectations of the Code of Conduct and allow it to serve as a guide through daily decision-making processes in and out of the classroom. if you know what is considered acceptable behavior, then you are taking the first step in making that a way of life. The judicial process begins when students don't uphold or ascribe to the ideals of the Code of Conduct.
We at Penn State New Kensington fully embrace the Penn State Principles and provide additional information and resources of the campus community to as they integrate these ideals into their everyday lives.
Smoking
Smoking and the use of tobacco are prohibited in and on all University owned or leased properties, facilities, and vehicles. The policy includes all University locations. The following purposes are exempted:
- Research
- Cultural and religious uses
Smoking includes the burning of any type of lit pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other smoking equipment, whether filled with tobacco or any other type of material.
Tobacco is defined as all tobacco-derived or containing products, including and not limited to cigarettes (e.g., clove, bidis, kreteks, electronic cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos), hookah smoked products, pipes and oral tobacco (e.g., spit and spitless, smokeless, chew, snuff) and nasal tobacco. It also includes any product intended to mimic tobacco products, contain tobacco flavoring or deliver nicotine. Products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, when used for cessation, are not considered tobacco under this policy.
Alcoholic Beverages
Possession or use of alcoholic beverages on University property or at University-sponsored activities is prohibited for all students, including those who are over twenty-one years of age. Students under the influence of alcohol are not permitted on campus.
Weapons, Fireworks and Paintball Devices
The possession, carrying, or use of any weapon, ammunition, or explosive by any person is prohibited on all University property except by authorized law enforcement 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. Paintball guns and paintball markers may only be used on the property of the University in connection with authorized University activities and only at approved locations. Any University student or employee who violates these prohibitions shall be subject to discipline in accordance with regular University procedures, which may include suspension or dismissal from the University. Visitors to the University will be subject to appropriate trespass actions for failure to comply with these regulations. Further, if possession or use of a weapon, fireworks or paintball device is in violation of the law, it will be referred to University Police or other proper law enforcement authorities.
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 of 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 part of 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 data base.
University regulations apply to all University computers and computer equipment, computerized 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.
