- Academic Integrity Statement
- Artificial Intelligence Usage Statement
- Disability Access Statement
- Counseling and Psychological Services Statement
- Educational Equity Concerns through the Report Bias Site Statement
- Emergency Statement
- Ivyside Eats Statement
- University Faculty Senate Syllabus Requirements and Sample Statements
Academic Integrity Statement
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If you use any ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person or by generative technology, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic sanctions, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes (see G-9: Academic Integrity).
Artificial Intelligence Usage Statement
A sample syllabus statement about generative AI and academic integrity is available on the AI, Pedagogy, and Academic Integrity site.
Disability Access Statement
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources Web site provides contact information for every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources Web site.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
If you have a documented disability, you are advised to notify both your instructor and the Student Disability Resources office to request specific classroom accommodations based on your disability. Classroom accommodations are only provided when a certifying accommodation form is presented by the student from the Student Disability Resources office.
If you need accommodations due to a documented disability, please inform the instructor within the first week of class. You may find resources at the Health & Wellness Center, Disability Services, located at the Sheetz Family Health Center. For more information call 814-949-5540 or visit the Disability Services web site at: www.altoona.psu.edu/healthwellness
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Counseling and Psychological Services Statement
Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional wellbeing. The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation. You may find resources at the Health & Wellness Center, Disability Services, located at the Sheetz Family Health Center. For more information call (814) 949-5540 or visit the Disability Services web site at: www.altoona.psu.edu/healthwellness
Also: www.altoona.psu.edu/counseling
Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741
Educational Equity Concerns through the Report Bias Site Statement
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage.
*Penn State University has adopted a “Protocol for Responding to Bias Motivated Incidents” that is grounded in the policy that the “University is committed to creating an educational environment which is free from intolerance directed toward individuals or groups and strives to create and maintain an environment that fosters respect for others.” That policy is embedded within an institution traditionally committed to academic freedom. Bias motivated incidents include conduct that is defined in University Policy AD 91: Discrimination and Harassment, and Related Inappropriate Conduct.
* Submit a report via the Report Bias webpage
* Contact one of the following offices:
University Police Services, University Park: 814-863-1111
Multicultural Resource Center, Diversity Advocate for Students: 814-865-1773
Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity: 814-865-5906
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs: 814-865-0909
Affirmative Action Office: 814-863-0471
Emergency Statement
In the event of a University-wide emergency, course requirements, classes, deadlines, and grading schemes are subject to changes that may include alternative delivery methods, alternative methods of interaction with the instructor, class materials, and/or classmates, a revised attendance policy, and a revised semester calendar and/or grading scheme.
For more general information about the emergency situation, please refer to:
- Penn State Altoona’s home page
- PSUAlert: This is a service designed to alert the Penn State community via text messages to cell phones when situations arise on campus that affect the ability of the campus – students, faculty and staff – to function normally. Everyone is encouraged to sign up to receive the text alerts.
Ivyside Eats Statement
Hunger and a lack of proper food and resources for personal care and wellness can impede the education of any person. Ivyside Eats has resources such as food and clothing items that can help you prepare to do your best. Just as you would seek tutoring for help with academics, it is important to seek resources for other needs as well. Contact Sue Patterson at sap406@psu.edu or 814-949-5123.