Penn State Mont Alto understands and accepts the obligation to provide for its students an atmosphere that protects and promotes Penn State's educational mission and which guarantees the campus' orderly and effective operation. Therefore, certain standards of conduct, practices, rules, and regulations have been established and are expected to be followed.

Expectations

These guidelines are found in the "Student Guide to University Policies" on the Office of Student Conduct page and the Housing Contract Terms and Conditions. There are a variety of areas which have policies that govern student behavior and it is important for students to have an understanding of all of these policies.  Students are responsible for knowing University and residential policies, and it is recommended that students review the links which contain the policies affecting student behavior.

The Office of Student Conduct is dedicated to supporting students by maintaining a conduct process that is educational, equitable, expeditious and just. We foster students' learning and growth by administering a process that teaches responsibility by holding students accountable for their behavior, encourages the expression of diverse views and opinions, and validates healthy choices and the concepts of individual and community respect. Through programs and services, we strive to help students mature and become contributing citizens within Penn State and the local communities. We help to create a University culture that is self-disciplined, where civility is embraced and the community norms and actions validate the essential values of Penn State:

  • Personal and academic integrity
  • Respect for the dignity of all persons and a willingness to learn from the differences in people, ideas, and opinions
  • Respect for the rights, property, and safety of others
  • Concern for others and their feelings and their need for conditions that support an environment where they can work, grow, and succeed at Penn State

In order to foster these values, the Code of Conduct is based on the following principles:

  1. The University has an obligation to exercise oversight in:
    1. Matters that impinge upon academic achievement and integrity
    2. Conduct that breaches the peace, causes disorder, and substantially interferes with the rights of others
    3. Behavior that threatens the physical and mental health and safety of members of the University community
    4. Behavior that threatens its property, or the property of members of its community, through theft, damage, destruction, or misuse
    5. Behavior that is repugnant to, or inconsistent with, an educational climate.
  2. The University has a commitment to enforce its contractual agreements.
  3. The University has an obligation to support and be guided by the laws of the land.

For more information regarding the Office of Student Conduct procedures at Penn State, consult the University Park Office of Student Conduct and for the Community Standards Process, consult the University Park Office of Residence Life.

To schedule an appointment to see a staff member, please call Campus Life at 717-749-6156.

What is the difference between Student Conduct and Community Standards?

The procedure for a disciplinary case depends upon several criteria, including the location the incident took place, the student's residential status, and the level of impact on the community.  Different manuals provide detailed information on the processes for disciplinary cases:

  • Student  Conduct Manual
  • Community Standards Manual
  • Flow Chart for Student Conduct
  • Overview of Process for Community Standards
  • Procedures Guidelines for University Disciplinary Process
  • Faculty, Students, and Staff Members Trained as Advisors for Student Conduct and Community Standards

Once a student is seen by a designee within the disciplinary system, the designee makes a decision on the student's case, weighing all evidence carefully.  If a student is found responsible for a violation of policy, the designee utilizes the established precedent guidelines.

Community Standards is the disciplinary system designed specifically for violations that are committed in the residential environment, i.e. residence halls, and can only be used for those students that are residential.  These standards address violations that have a lower level of impact on the community, i.e. noise and guest violations, etc.  In addition, the process for Community Standards cases is somewhat different than that of Student Conduct.  Violations not addressed within Community Standards are addressed by Student Conduct.

Do you know Penn State's Code of Conduct?

Take the "Know the Code" Challenge and see what you don't know that could hurt you! 

Student Rights

Visit our page on student rights to understand how members of the University community are protected.

Staff for Student Conduct and Community Standards at Penn State Mont Alto 

Student Affairs

[email protected]

Chris Wounderly, residence life coordinator

Community Standards Designee
717-749-6157
[email protected]