Use the following links to jump to specific topics below.

New Student Arrival Checklist 

Reminders for Your Behrend Student

Paying the Tuition Bill

  • All students must sign a Financial Responsibility Agreement (FRA) in LionPATH prior to enrolling for classes each semester.
  • If you plan to view/pay your student’s tuition bill, your student needs to grant you Authorized Payer Access in LionPATH.
  • The student and authorized payers on the student account receive an email when the tuition statement is ready (payments are due on the 22nd of the month).
  • To plan for future semesters, please visit tuition.psu.edu (tuition rates for the academic year are set in mid-July).

Managing Health Care Info

  • Students must submit proof of immunizations to University Health Services prior to NSO.
  • Students must provide information about insurance in LionPATH.
  • Students without health insurance can purchase the Penn State Health Insurance Plan.
  • Your student should know their current and maintenance prescription medications.
  • Make a copy of any insurance and prescription cards for your student to take to school.
  • Review with your student how to make an appointment with a health care provider, including Behrend’s Health Center.

Preparing for the Semester Start

Remind your student to do the following in advance to make their first few days at Penn State Behrend go smoothly:

  • Return to their NSO Tasklist and complete any outstanding items.
  • View the academic calendar.
  • View room assignment and roommate information.
  • Contact their roommate to make introductions and discuss what to bring.
  • Map out the location of classes.
  • Explore purchasing or renting textbooks.
  • Review housing check-in schedule and location, packing checklists, and helpful tips.
  • Add funds to LionCash account.
  • Add cell phone number to PSUAlert system to receive text and/or voice alerts.
  • If desired, grant parent Delegated Access in Lion PATH to view class schedule, grades, housing and meal plan, etc.

Reminders for You

Keeping in Touch

Topics for Discussion

  • Encourage your student to participate in Welcome Week activities.
  • Discuss campus safety and decisions regarding alcohol and drug use.
  • Discuss time management, study skills, and mutual expectations for staying in touch.
  • Talk about and plan how your student will finance their education.
  • Provide reminders of life skills (including doing laundry, managing bank account, eating well, etc.).
  • Remind your student to check their Penn State email account frequently.
  • Ask your student about how they plan to get involved and build their experience outside the classroom.

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Parent and Family Resources 

Penn State Values

  • INTEGRITY: We act with integrity and honesty in accordance with the highest academic, professional, and ethical standards.
  • RESPECT: We respect and honor the dignity of each person, embrace civil discourse, and foster a diverse and inclusive community.
  • RESPONSIBILITY: We act responsibly, and we are accountable for our decisions, actions, and their consequences.
  • DISCOVERY: We seek and create new knowledge and understanding, and foster creativity and innovation, for the benefit of our communities, society, and the environment.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive for excellence in all our endeavors as individuals, an institution, and a leader in higher education.
  • COMMUNITY: We work together for the betterment of our University, the communities we serve, and the world.

The First Year

Your student’s first year of college is a transition for the entire family. Parents and family members are a critical part of the support network for students. At Penn State, we use the First-Year Learning Outcomes to guide our work to support new students in this transition. New Student Orientation will introduce you and your student to the tools and resources that will help to set them up for success.

Your student’s first year of college may be emotional for both you and your student. Families who understand the transition to college and the cycle of the academic year can better help their student navigate important decisions and challenges.

The First Weeks: Everything is New

Students are experiencing college life for the first time. They are excited to explore many opportunities and are trying to make connections with other students, staff, and faculty. Students may be:

  • Excited, yet apprehensive
  • Exploring new freedoms
  • Learning to manage new responsibilities
  • Solving problems on their own
  • Feeling homesick and lonely
  • Trying to find their place socially
  • Anxious about new academic challenges

Mid-Semester: Reality Check

Classes are in full swing. Early assignments and exams have been returned, and students may be surprised (either pleasantly or unpleasantly) by their grades. Students start to realize that friends from the first few weeks may or may not stick around. The roommate honeymoon may end. Students may be:

  • Questioning academic abilities and choices
  • Adjusting study habits, learning styles, and time management skills
  • Wondering if they fit in socially
  • Seeking additional opportunities to become involved
  • Dealing with the consequences of poor decision-making
  • Selecting appropriate courses for next semester
  • Thinking about living arrangements and roommates for the next year

End of Semester: Information and Stress Overload

Students are sorting out how to approach their first final exam period as the first semester winds down. The realization that academic work in college is much harder than high school has set in for many. For those who have procrastinated or stumbled in the early months, the pressure is now a reality. Students who are working or have joined various student organizations may have increased end-of-semester commitments. Students may be:

  • Anxious about preparing for final exams
  • Finding it difficult to get along with their roommate
  • Overwhelmed by their commitments
  • Questioning their decision to attend college
  • Excited or apprehensive to head home for break

Home for Break: New Expectations

Most students (and families) welcome the first long break, and they are usually eager to return home. They look forward to the comforts of home, privacy, reconnecting with friends, and some much-needed rest. Tensions over curfews and family expectations can happen at this time. Communicating expectations in advance and keeping a sense of humor can help families enjoy this longer visit home.

Second Semester: A New Beginning

While a new semester is a fresh start, the experience students have is heavily influenced by their first semester. Some students will enjoy being home and reconnecting with their families and friends, which may make it harder to return, while others experience challenges at home that make them excited about being back on campus. Other elements, like first semester grades and confidence in the friendships they established the last term, also influence their excitement or apprehension about the start of the new semester. During their second semester, students may be:

  • Feeling a renewed interest in opportunities to make friends
  • Getting more involved in cocurricular activities
  • Finding a better balance between academic, cocurricular, and social commitments
  • Contemplating their academic interests, strengths, and choice of major
  • Exploring internships and opportunities for summer break

Adapted from Empowering Parents of First-Year College Students: A Guide for Success, by R. H. Mullendore and L. Banahan (2007), and The Happiest Kid on Campus: A Parent’s Guide to the Very Best College Experience (For You and Your Child), by H. Cohen (2010).

Partnering with Penn State

We recognize and appreciate the significant role that you have played in the life of your student prior to arriving at Penn State. We want this role to continue by cultivating an effective partnership during your student’s college career even as your role changes to that of a coach or mentor.

Your Student’s Responsibility

At Penn State, we expect our students to:

  • Become increasingly responsible for their actions including their academic and social decisions
  • Take the lead in solving their problems
  • Abide by community standards, including the Code of Conduct
  • Explore the educational opportunities available, select a major in which they will succeed and enjoy, and put forth their best efforts in the classroom
  • Take advantage of the tremendous array of opportunities outside of class by choosing meaningful ways to become active citizens on campus and in the broader community
  • Embrace opportunities to experience, interact with, and learn from the broad diversity of people in the Penn State community

Penn State’s Role

Penn State aims to:

  • Be a student-centered research university
  • Have faculty, staff, and administrators that strive to support our students both in and out of class
  • Provide the necessary resources and support services to enhance student success
  • Provide a safe, healthy community for students to live, learn, and grow academically and socially
  • Take an active role in meeting this goal through outreach and communication to our parents and family members

Your Role

Many incoming college students see their family members as trusted coaches and sources of support, which is not likely to change when they begin their Penn State career. Students need you to support their growth, development, independence, and to also be a stable force in their ever-changing world.

Support Student Autonomy

Young adulthood is a time when your relationship changes from an adult-child relationship to an adult-adult relationship. Support your student’s autonomy by actively redefining your relationship, relinquishing unnecessary control, encouraging personal responsibility and problem-solving, and supporting decisions made by your student. When a problem arises, “move like your feet are in molasses” and allow your student time to learn how to fix their problems.

Stay Connected

Expect that your student will not respond to all your contacts whether by phone/text, email, or even “snail” mail, but know that they appreciate hearing from you. Visit, but not too often and not too soon.

Embrace Exploration

Your student is experiencing new viewpoints and perspectives that may challenge prior belief systems. Allow them to explore ideas without being judgmental. Understand that changes in students’ viewpoints, behavior, dress, eating and sleeping habits, and relationships with family members are all to be expected. However, if you suspect that some of these changes may be signs of bigger problems, trust your instincts. Your student may need you to refer them to the appropriate resources described in this guide for help.

Be Knowledgeable about Campus Resources

Explore the resources available in this guide, the Parents Program website, and email newsletters. By acting as a referral source for your student, you can demonstrate that you are interested in your student’s life at the University, and at the same time, empower your student to explore resources and solve their problems.

Continue Difficult Conversations

You still have an important influence on your student’s behavior. In college, your student will have to make their own decisions about what time to get up in the morning, when to study, when to exercise, which organizations to join, what to eat, whether to drink alcohol, and whether to engage in romantic relationships. Although you cannot force your student to behave as you would want them to, you can create an atmosphere of open communication by listening and sharing family expectations.

Recognize the Challenges

The first year of college can be full of indecision, insecurities, disappointments, and, most of all, mistakes. It is also full of discovery, inspiration, good times, and exciting people. The reality is that there are times in college when your student might experience all the above, which is normal and to be expected.

Welcome Change

Your student will change, and so will you. College and the experiences associated with it can affect changes in social, vocational, and personal behavior. These changes are natural and inevitable. They can also be inspiring or challenging. You cannot stop change, and you may never understand it, but you can accept it and support your student’s decisions. Trust your student and trust the job you have done in getting them to this point.

Adapted from Helping Your First-Year College Student Succeed: A Guide for Parents, by R. H. Mullendore and L. Hatch (2000).

First-Year Learning Outcomes

The First-Year Learning Outcomes were created to improve student success by increasing academic and social integration into the University. The vision that Penn State has for each student is highlighted in these Learning Outcomes. We hope that your student will complete these outcomes by the end of their first year.

In addition to these Learning Outcomes, students will work towards achieving Penn State’s General Education Learning Objections:

  • Understand and meet academic expectations; engage in active learning and use effective time management skills to balance academic work with extra-curricular activities.
  • Learn about the value of higher education to both society and to individuals; appreciate the value of the general education curriculum and the worth of lifelong learning and scholarship.
  • Be familiar with student services and academic resources on campus; actively use those resources and interact with staff.
  • Engage with faculty in and out of the classroom.
  • Interact effectively with peers in social settings and through educationally purposeful student activities.
  • Refine short-term and long-term academic goals; learn about career management; establish more specific career goals.
  • Achieve a higher competency in writing, note-taking, active reading, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning to be able to master college-level work.
  • Expand knowledge of human diversity and cultural competence; effectively interact with others.
  • Engage in activities leading to improved personal health and fitness; learn about making responsible decisions in a college environment.

Approved by The Pennsylvania State University First Year Experience Committee, April 2005.

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Academic Resources and Support 

Orientation

Student Orientation and Transition Programs provides programming for new and continuing Penn Staters. Our programs also support the parents and family members of new students. We focus on facilitating successful academic, social, and personal transitions to Penn State. We do this through programs such as:

  • Change-of-Campus Orientation
  • New Student Orientation
  • Transfer Student Orientation
  • Welcome Week

Current students serve as members of our Orientation Team. SOTP staff supports new students and their families at each step of their transition to Penn State.

ALEKS Math Assessment

The ALEKS Math Assessment evaluates a student’s readiness to take college-level math and science courses. Since these courses are demanding, students need to begin with the course most likely to lead to success. Students will not be permitted to take a course unless they have demonstrated readiness—either through the ALEKS Math Assessment or by completing high school calculus. Students required to complete ALEKS will do so as part of completing their NSO Tasklist. Students wishing to retake ALEKS to improve their score may do so by using the learning modules within ALEKS. Students may retake the assessment up to two more times after using the learning modules (for a total of three attempts).

Students who have completed high school calculus but are concerned about their readiness to succeed in college-level mathematics and science courses are encouraged to take the ALEKS Math Assessment. They can use the additional information to make informed decisions in consultation with an academic adviser.

Academic Overview

The beauty of the Penn State system of Commonwealth Campuses is choice. Each campus offers four-year programs. Students may also participate in the 2+2 plan, where they would spend the first two years at one campus and then transition to another Penn State campus to complete the remaining two years. Students have opportunities to explore and determine which campus and major best meets their needs. Students may choose to remain at their starting campus or complete their degree at another Penn State campus, including University Park. Factors that impact this decision may include the size of the campus, location, involvement opportunities, and housing options. Working with academic advisers, faculty, staff, and families, students can create a plan that works, in addition to academic considerations, seamlessly.

The Penn State Degree

The Penn State undergraduate degree includes General Education, major degree requirements, and other academic experiences such as minors, internships, and/or undergraduate research. All three components together help students develop a solid foundation upon which they build a breadth of skills as well as the depth of knowledge in a specific content area.

General Education Requirements

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts.

Administrative Enrollment Controls

To be eligible for entrance to majors with administrative enrollment controls, students must be enrolled in the college offering the major or in the Division of Undergraduate Studies, be within a designated credit window, have completed the required prerequisite courses, and have the minimum CGPA required for the intended major. Additional requirements may also apply. Students are strongly encouraged to work closely with an academic adviser and to review the specific entrance criteria for intended majors at bulletins.psu.edu.

Major Requirements

Requirements differ for each major and in each academic college. Generally, major requirements include prescribed courses that all students in the major take, additional courses that all students choose from a select list and supporting courses the students choose based on individual interests and goals. Students should work with an academic adviser to clearly understand the specific requirements of majors of interest. General Education requirements may be partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. In addition, Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degree requirements may differ. Students are encouraged to work with an academic adviser to identify which degree best meets their needs.

Other Requirements

Depending on the college and major, a degree program may also include world language proficiency, internship experience, human diversity courses, and/or electives.

Declaring a Major and Upper Division Campus Choice

The student’s major choice often plays the most prominent role in determining the upper division campus. “Upper division” refers to the junior and senior years. Most students will choose their major in the spring of the sophomore year. Academic advisers and staff at each campus guide students in exploring majors based on the student’s goals and then plan the final two years at a campus where that major can be completed.

Students first become eligible to declare a major upon completion of at least 27.1 credits (typically at the end of two semesters) and achieving a minimum cumulative grade point average of a 2.00 and third-semester standing for entrance. While many majors can be started and completed at the original campus, others require the student to transition to another Commonwealth Campus or to the University Park campus. Therefore, the student’s major decision may drive the upper division campus choice.

At the time a student has successfully completed 43.1 credits (typically at the end of the third semester) the student is eligible for a change of campus for the junior year as determined by the major choice. Students will be notified by email when to both declare their major and initiate the change of campus as appropriate.

Dean’s List

In recognition of academic excellence, selected students are named to the Dean’s List each semester.

Undergraduate students only (includes nondegree, degree-seeking provisional and degree)

  • Credit load requirement
  • Semester GPA of 3.50 or higher
  • Satisfactory/unsatisfactory, and audit courses are not included in the determination of GPA or credit load
  • Dean’s List notation will appear on the student’s grade report and on the student’s academic record

Grades and Grade-Point Equivalent

Quality of Performance

Grade

Grade-Point Equivalent

Excellent: Exceptional achievementA
A-		4.00
3.67
Good: Extensive achievementB+
B
B-		3.33
3.00
2.67
Satisfactory: AcceptableC+
C		2.33
2.00
Poor: Minimal achievementD1.00
Failure: Inadequate achievementF0.00
Academic dishonestyXF0.00

Items to Know:

  • SGPA = Semester Grade-Point Average
  • CGPA = Cumulative Grade-Point Average
  • Dean’s List = 3.50 SGPA
  • Minimum Acceptable = 2.00 CGPA

Minimal competitive CGPA at application:

  • Undergraduate internships = 3.00
  • Medical school = 3.50
  • Law school = 3.33

For more information about medical school and other health professions, visit science.psu.edu/premed. For more information about law school, visit dus.psu.edu/prelaw.
 

General Education Requirements

Foundations

Build a basis of effective communication and quantitative literacy.

  • 6 units Quantification (GQ)
  • 9 units Writing and Speaking (GWS)
  • C or better required
  • Single domain courses only (no Inter-Domain)

Breadth

Practice applying a specific way of constructing knowledge to examine a topic.

  • 3 units Arts (GA)
  • 3 units Humanities (GH)
  • 3 units Natural Sciences (GN)
  • 3 units Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS)
  • 3 units Health and Wellness (GHW)
  • Single domain courses only (no Inter-Domain)
  • Students choose courses outside their initial major prefix for GA, GN, GH, GS (Example: ECON major may not select ECON courses; does not apply to GHW)

Integrative Studies

Practice synthesizing knowledge from different perspectives to examine a topic.

  • 6 units Integrative Studies: Inter-domain
  • Select any two Inter-Domain courses that are not used for major program requirements

Exploration

Follow intellectual curiosity to deepen or widen learning.

  • 9 units of additional GA, GH, GN, GS, and Inter-domain courses and up to 3 units of World Language. Must include 3 units of GN course which may be Inter-domain.
  • Students choose courses outside their initial major prefix for GA, GN, GH, GS, and Inter-domain
  • This category may be reduced to reflect courses prescribed by major programs (See details of intended major)
  • World Language course beyond the student’s degree program requirements or minimally at the 12th credit level (Example: SPAN 3)

Academic Advising

Penn State students receive academic advising from primary-role and/or faculty advisers. Students can find their assigned adviser’s contact information in Starfish, the University’s online advising platform.

An academic adviser will be assigned between the student’s orientation and the start of classes. If a student does not yet have an assigned adviser, they should contact the advising center for the college in which they are enrolled for advising-related questions.

Academic advising relationships at Penn State are initiated by students. Students are encouraged to meet with their assigned adviser at least once a semester and as often as needed to successfully plan and manage their goals. Students are encouraged to build a relationship with their assigned adviser to help them be intentional about the educational opportunities available.

Academic advisers are prepared to:

  • Help students identify and achieve academic goals
  • Promote intellectual discovery
  • Encourage students to engage in both in- and out-of-class educational opportunities
  • Encourage students to become self-directed learners and decision makers

Academic Integrity

Penn State expects students to pursue their academics in an honest and ethical manner. The University takes violations of academic integrity very seriously.

Contacting Instructors

Students are expected to contact instructors if they have questions or concerns about course content, policies, or academic performance. College instructors are available during their office hours or by appointment. Office hours should be listed on the course syllabus (an outline of the course content, expectations, and grading basis). Family members should not contact instructors or academic advisers directly.

Syllabus

A syllabus is a document that summarizes course expectations and should be shared by the instructor on or before the first day of class. In addition to describing the course and listing goals and objectives, syllabi include information about course grading, exams, attendance expectations and policies, course instructors, and required materials for the class. The syllabus should also state information related to instructions for campus closures, academic integrity, procedures for adjustments identified by the Office of Student Disability Resources, educational equity concerns, and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Students are responsible for reading and understanding the syllabus for each class. Any questions a student has regarding the syllabus should be asked early in the semester so that they have a clear understanding of what is expected in the course by the faculty member. Complete information on the Senate Policy on Syllabi can be found in Senate Policy 43-00.

Transferring Credit to Penn State

A student who does advanced work in a secondary school may earn credit through the Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. A-Level exams completed by international students may also be considered for credit. Penn State students may also transfer credits from courses taken at another higher education institution to meet degree requirements.

The online Transfer Credit Tool can be used to search for courses at other institutions. Credit can also be awarded for non-academic training through prior learning assessment.

When awarded, all transfer credits are recorded on the student's transcript, but no grade is recorded, and the student’s grade-point average is not affected. Students should speak with a college adviser regarding the ability to transfer course credit toward their intended degree. Additionally, because there is a lower- and upper-division tuition differential, students should contact the Office of the Bursar for help in determining the potential impact of transfer credits on their tuition.

Academic Resources at Penn State Behrend

Academic Advising at Behrend

Penn State Behrend’s Advising office will provide your student with support and resources to develop a solid academic plan, explore major options, and suggest ways to get the most out of their education.

Academic Advising for Exploratory Students

By enrolling in the Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), part of Academic Advising, a student will be mentored by an academic adviser who will help them explore majors, discuss course selections, and examine all the possibilities that Penn State offers.

New Student Orientation

At Penn State Behrend, New Student Orientation (NSO) is coordinated by the Academic Advising Office. Behrend’s NSO team has developed an NSO Tasklist to help incoming students navigate their next steps. There are some things that should be completed before NSO, some that will be completed during NSO, and some that will be completed after NSO.

Career Services

Penn State Behrend’s Career Services offers comprehensive programs and resources to support the career development of all students and alumni. To maximize their career potential, students are encouraged to meet with a career counselor each semester.

Jobs and Internships

Career Services helps students develop résumés, prepare for interviews, search for jobs and internships, and plan for graduate school. Students can explore job opportunities through Nittany Lion Careers, an online recruiting platform connecting students, alumni, and employers.

Career Fairs and Workshops

Each semester, Career Services hosts a large career and internship fair, providing students with opportunities to connect with employers. Students are encouraged to attend and build relationships starting in their first year

Throughout the year, career-related workshops and events help students prepare for their future careers.

Center for Learning Excellence

The Center for Learning Excellence, or CLE, provides services at all stages of students’ academic careers to help them reach their goals—getting a great GPA, studying abroad, preparing for graduate school, and finding national fellowships and scholarships.

The CLE offers tutoring for most courses on the first-year and second-year levels, as well as many on the upper levels. Exam preparation sessions are also offered for several courses.

Your student can schedule an appointment online, by calling the CLE office at 814-898-6140, or by emailing [email protected].

Study Abroad

The Center for Learning Excellence also supports students interested in experiencing other countries and cultures through study abroad. The center offers info sessions, advice on available programs, and guidance on financial aid opportunities for study abroad. See more at behrend.psu.edu/studyabroad.

Honors Program and Schreyer Honors College

The Penn State Behrend Honors Program is designed to provide a richer academic experience for highly qualified students in their first and second years at Behrend.

At the end of their first or second year, students have the opportunity to enter the Schreyer Honors College, Penn State’s University-wide honors program for academically superior students.

Lilley Library

Lilley Library is the hub for academic success at Penn State Behrend and is a member of the Penn State University Libraries, a multi-campus network of libraries comprising more than 10 million volumes and access to thousands of electronic resources. Materials can be requested from other Penn State campuses, as well as from academic libraries across Pennsylvania and those in the Big Ten Academic Alliance.

Lilley librarians are available to answer student research questions, and the library is also home to the college’s Center for Learning Excellence, the Disabilities Services Testing Center, and the Virtual and Augmented Reality and Interactive Arts (VARIA) Lab.

Adult Learner Services

The Office of Adult Learner Services provides advocacy, programming, and resources for nontraditional students seeking undergraduate degrees. Information and referrals about advising, registration, financial aid, child care, housing, and University policies, as well as referral to campus and community resources, are available to adult students, defined as those who are:

  • 24 years of age or older; or
  • A veteran of the armed forces or active duty service member; or
  • Returning to school after four or more years of employment, homemaking, or other activity; or
  • Assuming multiple roles such as parent, spouse/partner, employee, and student.

Students returning to higher education, or beginning college after working, raising a family, or serving in the military, are encouraged to contact this office by emailing [email protected].

Veterans Services

Service members and veterans, as well as their spouses and dependents, may be eligible to receive one or more educational benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Students planning to utilize veterans benefits should contact Penn State Behrend’s VA School Certifying Official, Emily Thompson, at [email protected] to notify the school and begin their paperwork.

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Money Matters and Technology 

Tuition

The Office of the Bursar is responsible for maintaining all student accounts as it relates to acceptance fees, tuition billing, charges, payments, and refunds.

Tuition Statement

Account statements are prepared every month. The due date is indicated on the statement. Billing begins in early August for the fall semester, early January for the spring semester, and May for the summer semester. Billing for LEAP and Summer Session II students usually begins in June.

Students will receive notification via their Penn State email account when their statement is available to view/pay in LionPATH. Residence hall charges are included on the statement, if applicable. Paper statements are NOT mailed. The Office of the Bursar, as well as other Penn State departments, will communicate important information to students through their Penn State email account. Students should regularly monitor their PSU email account.

Financial Responsibility Agreement

Students must sign a Financial Responsibility Agreement (FRA) before enrolling in classes each semester. FRA is a student’s promise to take responsibility for payment of their account.

Paying Tuition

The eCheck option is a fast and convenient online method to pay the tuition statement directly from a personal checking account drawn on a U.S. bank. There is no charge to pay by eCheck. Online credit card payments (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express) are also accepted. A service fee will be charged for debit/credit card payments. eCheck and credit card payments are posted to the student account immediately.

If you want to mail a check, a payment stub should be printed and mailed with the payment to Penn State. Please allow seven to ten business days for the payment to be received and posted to the student account. A late fee applies if payment is not posted to the student’s account by the due date indicated on the statement.

Payment Plans

Penn State offers an Installment Payment Plan every semester. Enrollment in the plan allows students/authorized payers to pay the semester charges (tuition, fees, and room and meals, if applicable) over four months in the fall and spring semesters, and three-monthly installments in the summer. There is a $45 non-refundable enrollment fee per semester, which covers administrative costs. The payments can be made with eCheck or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express).

The link to enroll online in the payment plan is available on the student account once the first billing statement for the semester is issued. Students/authorized payers can enroll in the plan online with one-fourth of the balance for fall and spring or one-third for summer. Enrolling after the first installment due date will require an initial payment of half of the balance for fall and spring or two-third of the balance for summer (subject to change). Please check the Bursar’s website for installment dates.

Additional Student Aid

The Anticipated Financial Aid section on a student’s tuition statement reflects the most current known available financial aid. Students with University scholarships, grants, or loans that are not reflected on their statement should contact the Office of Student Aid.

Outside Scholarship Information

Many students will receive scholarships from various organizations, agencies, and foundations as they graduate from high school. To reflect these outside awards on the student’s tuition statement, send the scholarship checks as early as possible to the address below. Checks must be made payable to Penn State (if a check is made payable to Penn State and the student, then, it must be signed by the student for processing). Please include the student’s PSU ID in the memo line.

Office of the Bursar
Attn: External Awards;
109 Shields Building;
664 Curtin Road
University Park, PA 16802

eRefund

A refund will be issued if there is a credit balance on the student account. eRefund is an electronic deposit of a refund into the student’s bank account and the fastest and most convenient delivery of refunds to students. eRefund is only available to students. Parents receive Parent PLUS loan refunds by paper check.

Tuition Assessment and Planning

Penn State assesses tuition based on the student’s campus, college, major, residency classification, credit load, and semester classification. Once an undergraduate student completes 59.1 or more total credits (which include credits earned through advanced placement or transferred from another institution), the student is considered to have obtained Junior/Senior status at Penn State. The Board of Trustees approves the tuition and fees for the academic year and tuition will increase.

By law, Penn State representatives can only respond or speak about the student account with the student and individuals designated as an Authorized Payer by the student. Be sure to ask your student to share any pertinent student account information with you or grant you Authorized Payer access to their student account in LionPATH.

Remind Your Student to:

  • Sign up for eRefund (direct deposit)
  • Grant online Authorized Payer Access for parents/others (optional)
  • Grant online Delegated Access for parents/others (optional)

Student Aid

The Office of Student Aid administers federal, state, and University financial aid and coordinates multiple funding sources on behalf of sponsoring agencies. The primary sources of student aid funding at Penn State come from federal and state programs.

Applying for Aid

You and your student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year for your student to be considered for financial aid, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. The FAFSA is the ONLY application required to be considered for most need-based aid at Penn State. Complete the FAFSA or submit corrections online at studentaid.gov.

Students need to submit the 2025-26 FAFSA to be considered for aid for fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026. Students who are admitted for summer 2025 also need to submit the 2024-25 FAFSA by June 30, 2025, if they wish to be considered for aid for summer 2025.

Student Aid Notification

Students who submit the FAFSA will receive an email notification from the Office of Student Aid with information about the types of aid they are eligible to receive.

Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan

To receive Federal Direct Loans, your student must:

After all the steps above have been completed, the Federal Direct Loan will appear as a credit on the student’s bill.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

The financial aid listed on the Financial Aid Offer in LionPATH may not cover all educational costs. As a parent, you may apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan. This is a federal loan available only to parents/step-parents of dependent undergraduate students.

Private Education Loans

If the PLUS loan is not an option for you, your student can seek additional funding from private education loans, which typically require a cosigner.

Scholarships

All admitted students who submit the FAFSA to Penn State are considered for scholarships awarded by the Office of Student Aid. If your student was awarded a scholarship from the Office of Student Aid, it will be listed on the Financial Aid Offer in LionPATH. Some academic colleges, campuses, and administrative units require separate applications.

Work Study

All students who apply to Penn State and indicate interest in the Federal Work-Study program on their application to Penn State are considered for work-study employment. If your student was offered work-study, it will be listed on the Financial Aid Offer in LionPATH. If your student did not receive a work-study offer, there are many employment opportunities available on campus.

Rights and Responsibilities of a Financial Aid Recipient

As a financial aid recipient, your student must be well informed about their rights and responsibilities. Be sure that your student carefully reviews this important information on the Office of Student Aid's website and understands Penn State’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Standard and what is required of students to remain eligible for student aid.

FAFSA Verification

The Office of Student Aid is required by the federal government to confirm the accuracy of the information submitted on the FAFSA, a process known as verification. If students are selected for verification at Penn State, they will be notified by the Office of Student Aid. This notification will include the specific information needed and a due date. Please respond promptly to any requests from the Office of Student Aid for verification documents to avoid a delay in the processing of student aid. Not all students are selected for verification. Please do not submit any documents unless you or your student receives a request.

Check Penn State Email Frequently

Students should check Penn State email frequently. The Office of Student Aid communicates with students through their Penn State email account. They will also be able to access their student aid information in LionPATH. Be sure to ask your student to share any pertinent student aid information with you or grant you Delegated Access to their Financial Aid Offer in LionPATH.

Student Records and Privacy

The Office of the University Registrar is responsible for student academic records and related processes including registration, academic transcripts, confidentiality of student records, grade reporting, graduation, diplomas, enrollment verification, and degree audits. Our goal is to provide students with accurate and complete information as quickly as possible.

Student Educational Records

The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, FERPA (also known as the Buckley Amendment), is the federal law that protects the privacy of student education records and identifies the rights with respect to student education records kept by institutions.

Penn State is committed to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of the student’s Social Security number. The primary student identification number used to conduct University business is the Penn State ID number (known as PSU ID).

Student Rights Under FERPA

Under FERPA, institutions may not release education records, except under certain circumstances, without written consent from the student. This regulation does not apply to information that the University has identified as directory information (e.g., name, address, phone number, major) unless the student has blocked disclosure of such information. The primary rights of students under FERPA include the rights to:

  • Have some control over the disclosure of information from their education records
  • Inspect and review their education records
  • Request the amendment of inaccurate or otherwise inappropriate education records

Parent and Family Rights Under FERPA

When a student reaches the age of 18 or begins attending a postsecondary institution, regardless of age, FERPA rights transfer from the parent or guardian to the student. This means that you may not obtain your student’s education records (including end of semester grades) without the written consent of your student. Parents may, with the student’s permission, access their student’s grades and other portions of their student’s education record online through Delegated Access in LionPATH. Parents and guardians do not have access to mid-semester grades. We encourage you to discuss this with your student.

Withhold Directory Information

Under FERPA, an institution is permitted to release directory information without written consent from the student. However, a student has the right to prevent this release in one of two ways. The student must complete and sign the Request to Withhold Directory Information form. The signed form must be taken in person or mailed along with a copy of photo identification to the Registrar’s office. Students with access to LionPATH may complete the request in the following ways:

  • Complete and submit the Change Directory Info (FERPA) form in LionPATH
  • Upload a clear and valid photo identification to your request
  • An email notification will be sent to your student’s official Penn State email account when the withholding of directory information is in effect

Withholding directory information means:

  • Student name/address is excluded from the online directory
  • Student name will not appear in the commencement program
  • Verification of enrollment, graduation or degrees awarded will not be provided to third parties, including potential employers
  • No information about the student will be released to any person (including the student) on the telephone or via email

Release Directory Information

If a student later wishes to remove the directory hold, the student must complete and sign the Request to Release Directory Information form. The signed form may be taken in person or mailed along with a copy of photo identification to the Registrar’s office.

Students with access to LionPATH may complete the request in the following ways:

  • Complete and submit the Change Directory Info (FERPA) form in LionPATH
  • Upload a clear and valid photo identification to your request
  • An email notification will be sent to your student’s official Penn State email account when the release of directory information is in effect

Enrollment Verification

Insurance companies, financial lenders, or employers may require proof that a student was or is currently enrolled at Penn State. Enrollment verification provides proof of enrollment, graduation, student status, and other related information.

Students can request an enrollment verification through the Academic Records tab in LionPATH Self Service. The student may immediately download an unofficial copy for personal use or to submit to a third party. The student may also request an official verification, containing the University Registrar′s signature and University seal on security paper, to be mailed to the specified address via first-class U.S. mail within three business days. This function is also available to families through the LionPATH Self Service if their student has granted them Delegated Access.

All other parties may contact the National Student Clearinghouse for verification of students′ enrollment and degree information at studentclearinghouse.com.

Leaving the University

Students should carefully consider all the consequences to leaving Penn State before they complete the process. If applicable, there can be ramifications for financial aid, loan repayments, and health insurance. In addition, there are processes that must be followed when a student determines that he or she is ready to return to the University.

LionPATH

LionPATH is Penn State’s student information system. Students use LionPATH to enroll in classes, view financial aid, pay tuition, check grades, submit health insurance information, and more.

LionPATH provides two processes to access student information. You can view your student’s data-such as grades, financial aid, and class schedules by using Delegated Access. In addition, you can pay tuition by using Authorized Payer Access. Delegated Access and Authorized Payer Access are two separate functions within LionPATH. You can view tutorials to learn how to use LionPATH.

Using Delegated Access

For you to access student data in LionPATH, your student must first provide access to you.

Step One

Provide your student with your email address to receive your activation email. This email will also serve as your login ID.

Step Two

Once your student has given you access, you will receive an activation email that will contain a login ID, temporary password, and a link for you to log in and view those areas your student has shared.

Note: If you are a Penn State employee or student, the link to view shared information is a different URL than you may normally use to access LionPATH.

  • For staff who are students AND use LionPATH in daily work, use lionpath.psu.edu.
  • For all staff who have been given Delegated Access by their student, use public.lionpath.psu.edu and click on the Delegated Access tab.

Delegated Access for Multiple Students

If you have more than one student and both delegate access to you, use the same email address and password to access information shared by each student. The email initiated by the first student will include a temporary password. After you reset your password, emails sent from additional students will not contain a temporary password. When multiple students give you Delegated Access, each is listed when you login; however, you can only view one student’s data at a time.

View and Pay Tuition Using Authorized Payer Access

Your student can give you access to view their Student Account Statement, make payments, enroll in the Installment Payment Plan, and access IRS Form 1098-T by using Authorized Payer Access. Your student grants you access through their student account in LionPATH. After access is granted, a login ID, temporary password, and login link will be sent to you via email.

Federal law prohibits Penn State representatives from corresponding or speaking about the student’s account with anyone other than the student unless the student has designated the individual as an Authorized Payer.

Authorized Payer Access should not be granted to employers, sponsors, or other third-party organizations/entities.

Authorized Payer Access for Multiple Students

If you have more than one student at Penn State, regardless of campus, you can easily link your students’ accounts. You will receive a separate user ID and a separate temporary password for each student via email as each student grants you Authorized Payer Access.

How to link multiple accounts:

  • Visit public.lionpath.psu.edu and click on the Authorized Payer Access tab.
  • Use your Authorized Payer user ID and password you received via email. You must use the correct User ID and password when accessing each student’s account and you must log in at least once to each account to be able to link the students’ accounts. Once the student accounts are linked you only need to log in to one of the student accounts.
  • Navigate to the My Account section on the left side menu of the Student Account Dashboard to manage your account.
  • To use Authorized Payer access for multiple students, click on the pencil icon next to the student’s name on the Overview section on the left side menu.
  • The student’s page displays the name of the student you are currently viewing.
  • If another student has given you access to view their account, and you have logged in at least once to that student’s account, you will see that student’s account listed as other students (click the View box to switch to the other student account).

PLEASE NOTE: Access to view and pay tuition is provided when your student grants you Authorized Payer Access in LionPATH. Authorized Payer Access is separate and in addition to the Delegated Access that the student grants via LionPATH for academic information.

id+ Card

Mobile id+ Card

Your student is required by University policy to obtain and carry a Penn State credential. The mobile id+ card is Penn State's primary credential and allows students to use their iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android device to access campus buildings, securely make purchases with a meal plan or LionCash, and so much more.

However, physical id+ cards can be issued in replacement of the mobile id+ card due to the following exceptions:

  • Approved personal and religious reasons
  • If the student’s device is not a smartphone that is compatible with tap technology
  • If the student does not have a smartphone or mobile device readily available

The id+ office at Penn State Behrend can be contacted at the following:

LionCash

LionCash is Penn State’s prepaid spending account. It is a safe and easy way for your student to make purchases on campus and around town. LionCash is accepted at over 200 participating locations, including on-campus printing, vending, laundry, and copy machines. LionCash is the only accepted payment method for on-campus laundry facilities. To activate your student’s LionCash account, make an initial deposit online or at Behrend id+ Office in Senat Hall. There are no fees to use the account, and balances carry over from semester to semester and from year to year. Upon graduation, withdrawal, or at the end of the spring semester, your student may request a refund for the balance remaining in their account (less a $10.00 processing fee).

LionCash Deposits

Family and friends may deposit funds into a student’s LionCash account online with a MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover card. Deposits are processed as a standard purchase, not a cash advance, and are processed in real-time so funds are immediately available. Access to deposit LionCash is also available on the Penn State Go app. Family and friends will use the Guest Deposit option and will need to know the recipient’s PSU ID number.

Your student can manage LionCash and the Campus Meal Plan online. Your student can check account balances, review transaction history, and deactivate a lost or stolen id+ card. If your student works on campus, they may also sign up for payroll deductions into their LionCash account.

Lost or stolen id+ Cards

Lost or stolen id+ cards and/or mobile devices should be deactivated immediately through the Deactivation/Reactivate Portal. Physical id+ cards may also be deactivated in person on campus or by calling the local id+ card office during business hours.

Note: The cardholder is responsible for all transactions and usage of their id+ card or mobile id+ card. However, a temporary physical card is available for inaccessible credentials. Temporary cards can be obtained through the local housing operations commons desk as well as the local id+ Office. A fee will be charged for each temporary card that is issued.

id+ Card and PNC Bank Accounts

PNC makes banking easy for students. Through an exclusive banking relationship with PNC Bank, your student will have free access to their account at more than 60,000 PNC and Partner ATMs, online and text message banking, and account alerts that help them keep track of their money.

Technology

Penn State IT

The Penn State Information Technology (IT) Service Desk provides 24/7 assistance through an extensive online knowledge base, chat, phone, online request form, or email.

Students also have the option to visit one of the walk-up service desk locations where they can get assistance with any of their technology needs. Walk-up locations and additional IT support information are available at help.psu.edu.

IT at Behrend

Behrend‘s Information Technology Services office provides a broad portfolio of technology resources, including operating two Help Desks, eleven public instructional labs, collaborative study environments, and walkup kiosk locations. Services include nearly 150 lab software titles, high-speed Ethernet and wireless networks, laser printing, technology-enhanced classrooms, personal device support, cloud computing services, and audio/visual support for many campus events. Behrend’s Information Technology Services also maintains dozens of specialized labs, provides support for on-campus residents’ IT needs, and offers access to the wide range of services within the University system.

Student Technology Guide

This comprehensive guide introduces students to the University’s most important IT resources, such as account management, essential IT tools for learning, technology tutoring, where to store their files, and where to get help creating multimedia projects.

Penn State Accounts

A student’s Penn State Account user ID (e.g., xyz5000) is their digital identity at the University that provides access to secure online resources and services to which they have been granted access. Students are automatically assigned a Penn State user ID when they apply for admission online.

Students will log in to secure University resources and applications such as lab computers, Penn State's wireless network, Canvas, and LionPATH by entering their Penn State user ID followed by @psu.edu (e.g., [email protected]). Students will use their Penn State Account user ID and password to log in to secure University’s sites and services for as long as they are affiliated with Penn State.

Settings within the Penn State Account, like passwords and personal information, can be changed or updated through the Account Management website. The Penn State Account user ID and password should not be confused with the student’s unique nine-digit PSU ID number (e.g., 912345678) which is part of their mobile id+ card.

Wireless Access

Secure wireless access is available for students in most University-owned or leased buildings, on or off campus.

Students can visit bit.ly/wi-fi-connect for instructions on how to connect to Penn State’s secure wireless “psu” network.

Students can visit wireless.psu.edu to set up wireless for each of their specific devices.

Campus guests and visitors can connect to the unauthenticated psu-guest wireless network at https://psu-guest.psu.edu. The guest network is not intended for use by students and should not be used for University-owned devices. Guests and visitors can visit bit.ly/wi-fi-guest-connect for more information.

Registering through the Roomgear wireless network within residence halls allows students to connect their gaming consoles, remote-controlled streaming devices, smart TVs, and smart speakers. Students can visit it.psu.edu/students and click on Get Connected for more information.

Protecting Your Student’s Identity and Data

Penn State takes the security and privacy of your student's personal information seriously. Penn State IT uses robust processes and technologies to safeguard its data and systems to ensure they can only be accessed by authorized users. Students are required to enroll in multifactor authentication (MFA) to help protect their personal information, as well as sensitive and confidential Penn State resources and data. The University also provides information to students on how to protect themselves from phishing attacks, viruses, spyware, ransomware, identity and data theft, and other forms of cyberattacks.

Software at Penn State

Software at Penn State provides access to many software applications. Students log in using their Penn State credentials to access titles such as Office 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud. Discipline-specific apps such as Matlab, SAS, EndNote, SPSS, Qualtrics, and Esri are also available via Software at Penn State.

Penn State Student Systems

These Penn State systems are frequently used by Penn State students to navigate life on campus.

  • Canvas: Penn State’s online system for teaching and learning where students and professors can upload course materials and conduct online discussions
  • eLiving: On-campus housing portal, including roommate assignments and housing lottery process
  • LionPATH: Student information system to register for classes, check end-of-semester grades, and pay bills
  • Penn State Go: The official and all-in-one mobile app available to download in the Google Play Store and Apple App store
  • myUHS: University Health Services portal to submit immunization records, make appointments, and communicate with doctors
  • Starfish: Communication portal that gives students centralized access to advisers, instructors, and others who provide academic support.

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Campus Life at Behrend 

Information Desk (RUB DESK)

Whether a student wants to buy tickets to an on-campus event or simply get directions, the Reed Union Building’s Information Desk, or RUB Desk, can help. The RUB Desk offers information and services to students and visitors. The RUB Desk also provides financial guidance for clubs and organizations and all programs funded through the Student Activity Fee and Student Government Association.

International Students

International Student Services is the primary source of information and assistance for international students. This includes guiding students through necessary documentation, referring them to campus and community resources, and coordinating orientation.

Smith Chapel

The Smith Chapel cultivates campus and community life through programs, services, and activities supporting educational, religious, spiritual, ethical, and social development of students. With a student-centered focus on learning and exploration, Smith Chapel offers opportunities for personal and community growth while fostering tolerance and understanding and celebrating diversity.

Student Disability Resources

Penn State provides equal access to its programs and services for all individuals. The University encourages academically qualified students with disabilities to participate in educational programs and to request reasonable accommodations for equal access.

To be eligible for disability-related services, students must have a visibly obvious or documented disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008, and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under the ADAAA and Section 504, a person has a disability if that person has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as performing manual tasks, walking, standing, seeing, speaking, hearing, sleeping, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.

Determining reasonable accommodations is processed on a case-by-case basis to address individual needs. Students requesting accommodations must submit documentation to Student Disability Resources Programs.

Student Leadership and Involvement

For students who want to get involved, meet new people, supplement course work, or gain leadership experience, there are plenty of clubs, organizations, and things to do at Penn State Behrend.

Clubs and Organizations

Behrend’s 140+ student clubs and organizations fit any interest, whether students are looking to join a fraternity or sorority, get involved in service projects, participate in decision-making through Student Government, or join a club that will help with their major or career goals.

The clubs, organizations, and student events available to students provide valuable opportunities to make friends, enhance studies, and get the most out of their college education, while helping them achieve their goals and grow from being a member to being a leader.

Fraternity and Sorority Life

Fraternity and sorority life at Penn State Behrend offers students opportunities for leadership development, support in academic achievements, and participation in service and philanthropy. Students must have earned 14 Penn State credits and have a 2.5 cumulative GPA to be eligible to join a fraternity or sorority at Penn State Behrend. For more information, visit sites.psu.edu/behrendfsl.

Inclusion, Belonging, and Cultural Programming

Student Leadership and Involvement supports and serves as an advocate for diverse populations within the college community. In addition to addressing the specific concerns of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, the office also supports the needs of international students, students with disabilities, students participating in the Comprehensive Studies Program (CSP), women, and those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered. The office works to promote a welcoming and respectful campus environment through programming, training, mentorship, and campus events.

Multi-Cultural Council

The Multi-Cultural Council, or MCC, promotes awareness, understanding, and appreciation of all cultures through programming, community service, fundraisers, and other student-run events. MCC acts as an advisory board to student organizations and endorses cooperation among its members. MCC also helps coordinate college-wide events such as the annual Harambee Dinner, national cultural month celebrations, and Unity Week.

Service and Community Engagement

Behrend sponsors annual service events such as the Shining Star Program, Food Drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank and Alternative Break Trips, while helping students and student groups develop meaningful volunteer experiences.

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Commuter Resources at Behrend 

More than 60 percent of Penn State students live off campus or commute from home. Penn State Behrend offers a wealth of resources to help those students take advantage of all that the college has to offer.

Commuter Lounge

The Commuter Lounge, located in the Living Room at Smith Chapel, includes study areas, couches, a kitchen area, and more, providing a place just for commuter students to relax, recharge, study, and socialize between classes. The lounge is open weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Dining on Campus

Commuter students can purchase a Campus Meal Plan or use LionCash to pay for on-campus meals.

Information and Services

The Reed Union Building is home to the mailroom, bookstore, and Galley convenience store, in addition to the RUB Desk, where students can buy tickets to on-campus events, get directions, or find many other services.

Students can also rent lockers at the RUB Desk. Lockers cost $10 per semester, and students must provide their own lock.

Public Transportation

Students can use the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority bus service—known as the “e”—for free.

In addition to regular bus routes, the “e” offers a shuttle that loops around campus weekdays from 7:40 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Students can get an ID sticker for the “e” at the RUB Desk, on the first floor of Reed Union Building.

Study Spaces on Campus

With private study rooms, Lilley Library is a great place to go for some quiet time. The library also offers copiers and equipment rentals, in addition to the trove of print and electronic resources. Various seating areas in all the academic buildings are also convenient spots for quick study sessions between classes.

Parking at Behrend

Parking permits are required for all parking lots on campus. Different permits are available for commuter and resident students; all students with permits must park in designated lots. See designated parking lots on the campus map

Temporary (daily) and semester-long permits are available. Permits may be purchased online, and may be billed to your student‘s account or paid by credit/debit card online at behrend.psu.edu/parking.

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Housing and Food Services 

Penn State Behrend’s Housing and Food Services and Residence Life teams are excited to have your student join our on-campus community.

Our staff is committed to providing your student with an environment that is safe, comfortable, and conducive to academic, personal, and social development. We promote the concept of community, in which each student is responsible for respecting neighbors’ rights. Within the framework of rights and responsibilities, the individual’s right to choose their own lifestyle is supported.

Our housing professionals provide a clean, well-maintained environment for students’ safety and well-being. Housekeeping services are provided daily for public areas of residence halls, including bathrooms and lounges. Maintenance and repairs are completed in a timely fashion.

Dining facilities are staffed with food service professionals who provide traditional favorites, vegetarian items, and quick service selections.

Residence Life assistant directors and coordinators are full-time professional employees. Resident assistants (RAs) are student leaders trained to help with questions and help build a sense of community among residents. RAs are available for information, help, programming, and other services.

Save the Date: Room Assignments

Room assignment information, including room address and roommate name and home phone number, will be posted on eLiving on Tuesday, July 22, at noon. For most assignments, students will have the opportunity from then until Friday, August 8, at noon to exchange room assignments with another student.
Students requesting a Direct Room Exchange should log on to eLiving and click “Room Exchange eBoard” under the “My Info” section. Direct Room Exchanges will also be available after arrival, beginning Tuesday, August 26, at noon through Tuesday, September 30, at noon.

Before Arrival

How do students schedule their move-in date and time?

To shorten lines and spread out arrival traffic, students must sign up for a scheduled arrival time before they arrive. After viewing the room assignment, click “Schedule Move-in” under the “My Info” section in eLiving. Students can modify their scheduled arrival time as needed until their scheduled arrival date.

Students should also check in via eLiving up to 24 hours before their scheduled arrival time to receive access to their building and room and to see their mailbox information and other helpful details. Choose “Check-In” under the “My Info” section to complete this step.

What is available in student rooms?

Each student will have a twin-size bed with an extra-long mattress (80 inches by 36 inches), desk with chair, closet or wardrobe, and chest of drawers. All rooms have a trash can, microwave/freezer/refrigerator unit, blinds, an overhead light, and a smoke detector. Wi-Fi is available throughout the residence halls. See layouts of rooms at liveon.psu.edu/Behrend/housing.

What items should students bring or not bring?

Students should bring sheets (extra-long twin), mattress pad, pillows, towels, a blanket or bedspread, a computer, and other items that will help them feel at home. Suite and apartment residents should bring bathroom supplies, including toilet paper. Students should check with roommates before arrival to decide who brings shared items, such as a TV or game system. Do not bring furniture, pets, or appliances. For more about what to bring, go to arrival.psu.edu/Behrend.

What amenities are provided in residence halls?

All residence halls offer laundry facilities, study lounges, and vending machines; Ohio, Tigress, and Trippe offer community kitchens. All residence hall students have access to Oliver’s Game Room in Lawrence Hall.

Living on Campus

Can students stay on campus during breaks?

Housing offers a Break Access HFS Contract for students who need to stay on campus during Thanksgiving and spring breaks. The Break Access HFS Contract does not include access during the break between fall and spring semesters; if winter break housing is available, it will be offered separately from the semester contract.

Students who select Break Access could be assigned to a suite or apartment. Students with a Break Access HFS Contract will not be required to leave the residence area during Thanksgiving and spring breaks. During these two break periods, staff will be available to assist with emergencies. Meals are not provided in the Break Access contract, though dining options may be available.

Students assigned to Break Access will be charged an additional fee per semester for this service. No refunds are processed if a student does not stay for all or any part of the closedown periods. The Break Access HFS Contract cannot be canceled.

Break Access/Holiday Housing can be requested either by selecting the option as a preference on the HFS Contract or by contacting the Housing and Food Services Office. For more info, visit liveon.psu.edu/Behrend/manage-your-HFS-contract.

Can students leave belongings in their room during breaks?

Students may leave their belongings in the room during Thanksgiving break, semester break, and spring break, if they will be returning to the same room after the break. Students are encouraged to take home their valuables during those breaks. There is no storage available during summer session.

The University recommends that students carry personal property insurance coverage for all their belongings, as the University is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property. Before coming to campus, check to see if your family’s homeowner’s insurance policy covers students in residence halls. If your student is not covered, please consider purchasing renter’s insurance.

Do residence halls have security?

Each residence building on campus is equipped with an electronic, computerized card-access system that uses your student’s mobile id+ card at interior and exterior doors. Only residents of the space can gain access by tapping their mobile devices at the card reader at the entrance. The system is operational 24/7. Guests may enter only by accompanying the host resident or by calling the host resident, who will escort the guest to their room.

All residence hall room and suite/apartment doors lock automatically when closed. Students should keep their doors closed when they are not in their rooms or apartments, even when leaving only for a short time.

Do staff members live in the residence halls?

Resident Assistants (RAs) and Residence Life Coordinators live on-site within the residence hall community. An RA is an undergraduate student who has been carefully selected and specially trained to help your student transition to the residence hall and to Behrend. RAs have responsibility for a “house,” which may mean one or two residence hall floors. The RA lives on the floor and is readily accessible to residents. In evenings, students may contact the RA on duty if a situation arises and their RA is not available.

Residence Life Coordinators are full-time professional staff members trained in student development, safety and security, student conduct, and emergency response. As the supervisors of the RAs, coordinators are responsible for helping to create a positive community within the residence halls. A coordinator is available to assist students at any time of the day or night.

How will students get to know each other on the floor?

The first opportunity to meet floormates will be at the house meeting the RA will host on arrival day. RAs will also sponsor a series of programs and activities throughout the semester that will give students a chance to get to know other individuals on their floor. Residence Life offers a newsletter that is placed in floor restrooms and provides information about activities. RAs also communicate regularly with students via email, text, and messaging apps.

What if my student has a roommate problem?

The first person students should talk with is their roommate, who may not even realize that there is a concern. If that approach is uncomfortable or awkward, students should go directly to their RA for assistance in identifying the best approach. The RA can also be helpful in facilitating a discussion between roommates.

Can students have guests in their room?

Students are permitted to have guests in their room only if there is no objection from their roommate. At the beginning of the semester, roommates should discuss how they each feel about having guests in the room. If there are any concerns about having guests of the opposite gender or overnight guests, it’s important to share those preferences with each other. It’s also a good idea to come to an agreement on times when guests will or will not be allowed in the room.

Overnight guests can stay for a maximum of three consecutive nights. Guests must always be escorted. Overnight guests are not permitted in the room before the first day of classes. The guest policy may be revised at any time if required by health and safety guidelines.

Eating On Campus

Where can students eat on campus?

Dobbins Dining is the main dining center at Penn State Behrend. The all-you-care-to-eat dining center offers students the best value, as purchases at Dobbins receive a 65% discount off the cash price for meals.

Other food service options include Bruno’s Café, Paw’s Coffee Shop, Clark Café, and the Galley convenience store, where a 10% discount off prepared food items is offered to meal plan participants and LionCash users. Retail items, such as prepackaged snack items and bottled beverages, do not receive a discount at any location.

Hours are listed at liveon.psu.edu/Behrend/dining. Menus and nutritional information are available at menus.psu.edu. Download the Penn State Go app for mobile ordering and easy access to menus.

Can Campus Meal Plans be changed?

Remaining dining dollars at the end of the fall semester are carried over to spring as long as the student has purchased a Campus Meal Plan for spring. Remaining dining dollars at the end of spring expire.

A different meal plan level may be selected for spring if there is a high balance, and levels can be adjusted up until the last day of final exams. Although the Campus Meal Plan has separate contracts for fall and spring, all students living in residence halls are required to purchase the Campus Meal Plan for both semesters.

How can students keep track of Campus Meal Plan dining dollars left in their account?

Students can manage campus card accounts through the Transact eAccounts online portal and mobile app. Students can add money to their accounts, view account activity, and manage their credential.

Registers at on-campus dining facilities will automatically check a student’s Campus Meal Plan account for funds. If there are not enough funds available, the system will deduct from the LionCash account at the same optimal meal plan pricing.

If a student is running low on dining dollars, it is recommended that funds be added to the LionCash account, which eliminates the possibility of leftover dining dollars expiring at the end of the spring semester.

How can I send my student a special treat?

Housing and Food Services partners with the Penn State Bakery to offer cupcakes, cookies, and treats for holidays and special occasions. Visit pennstatebakery.com to place an order and send your student some love.

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Health and Safety 

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response

The Office of Student Accountability & Conflict Response (OSACR) works to uphold community and university standards through compassionate interventions in which students are heard, respected, and treated with dignity. These students, including student organization leaders, have the opportunity to take part in fair and impartial resolution processes which encourage personal accountability and responsible decision-making; promote reflection and restoration; and reduce and prevent behavior which undermines student success and community safety.

Student Code of Conduct

OSACR handles the oversight and implementation of the Student Code of Conduct and related written procedures. The Code outlines community standards for student behavior, both on- and off-campus, while the written procedures explain how alleged violations of the Code are managed within the student conduct process.

When a student or student organization is named in a report and/or takes part in a resolution process, a record is created and maintained by OSACR.

In addition to managing formal allegations of misconduct, OSACR also offers a wide range of Adaptable Resolutions and Conflict Response options. For information about these resolution options, please contact the office or encourage your student to speak with the case manager assigned to their case.

Parent and Family Notification

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), colleges and universities are afforded certain rights relative to notifying parents or guardians of information concerning their student. To involve students' families in the total educational experience of the student and to facilitate communication between students and their parents/legal guardians, OSACR has established a notification and disclosure policy. The goals of this policy are:

  • To clarify when notification and/or disclosure may be appropriate
  • To partner with families in support of their student
  • To find additional supportive points of intervention for students

When a dependent student accepts responsibility for a violation or is found in violation of the Code, a notification letter will typically be sent to their parent or guardian in the following circumstances:

  • There was a “Substance Use Misconduct” violation, and the student is under 21 years of age
  • The Action Plan includes suspension, expulsion, and/or loss of housing (including those administrative sanctions issued in a conditional status)

The notification letter summarizes the outcome of the process and lists the official University violation(s) and outcomes. It is recommended that the first response to receiving this letter is starting a conversation with your student. Follow-up questions can then be directed to the case manager in OSACR.

In unusual circumstances which qualify as an exception to FERPA, the University will notify parents and/or guardians of students who are not dependent students.

Pennsylvania's Antihazing Law

In 2018, Pennsylvania adopted the Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, which:

  • Establishes a tiered penalty with stricter punishments for hazing (including felony-level violations)
  • Holds individuals and organizations accountable for hazing
  • Requires schools to publish anti-hazing policies and publicly report hazing violations at universityethics.psu.edu

To the extent possible, any student, organization, faculty or staff member, contractor, or volunteer of the University will be held accountable for hazing-related violations both by the University and by the appropriate law enforcement agency. Any allegations of hazing should be reported to the University’s Office of Ethics and Compliance or OSACR, in addition to University Police.

The Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, in addition to Pennsylvania's medical amnesty law, provide immunity from prosecution when a student seeks help for themselves or others who need medical attention. Students who seek help may also avoid formal student conduct action under the Penn State Responsible Action Protocol.

Academic Integrity at Penn State


Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at Penn State, and all members of the University community are expected to follow this principle. 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.

Types of academic misconduct include but are not limited to: (a)unauthorized collaboration and/or accessing or using unauthorized or prohibited materials, information, tools, technologies, or study aids; (b) misrepresenting another's words, results, processes, or ideas in whole or in part without giving appropriate attribution, citation, or credit; (c) providing false information in fulfillment of an academic assignment, exercise, publication, or another requirement; and, (d) using the same academic work, in part or entirely, for credit more than once, unless specifically authorized by the instructor receiving the reused work. For more information, please review G-9: Academic Integrity.

Free Speech

As a public university, Penn State supports and promotes the First Amendment and values the legal protections it offers for free expression, inquiry, and thought , even when viewpoints offend community members or contradict the institution’s values. The primary purpose of a university is to discover and disseminate knowledge and this can only occur if freedom of expression is honored. Even words and other expressions that many people would consider to be “hate speech” are constitutionally protected under the First Amendment.

However, free speech is not without limits. For example, the University may restrict or discipline expression in a few instances, including speech that:

  • Incites imminent lawless action
  • Defames a specific individual
  • Rises to the level of harassment
  • Targets a specific individual or individuals with true threats of violence

The University also may regulate the time, place, and manner of expression.
The University encourages those who wish to counter views they find unacceptable to do so in responsible ways, including:

  • Taking part in alternative events
  • Lending their voices to causes with which they are aligned and that help foster a stronger community
  • Lawfully and actively protesting or speaking out if they desire

The University’s free speech website is intended to educate students, faculty, and staff on the University’s commitment to free speech, resources and support available to those impacted by hate-filled speech, and ways University community members are encouraged to use to engage in dialogue on difficult topics.

Community members, including parents or families, may report incidents of bias or discrimination to reporting.psu.edu, University Police or local police; to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEOA); or the Office of Ethics and Compliance.

Pennsylvania’s Medical Amnesty Law

Pennsylvania law provides immunity from prosecution for underage drinking and/or hazing for an individual who seeks help for a friend who has a medical emergency due to underage alcohol consumption or hazing. The immunity also applies to the friend for whom medical assistance was sought. When a person violates underage drinking or hazing laws and calls 911 to get help for a person who needs immediate medical attention due to excessive alcohol consumption or hazing, the caller and the peer for whom assistance was sought will not be charged with underage drinking or hazing as long as:

  • That persons’ phone call was the initial way law enforcement found out about the hazing and/or underage person’s drinking violation
  • The caller reasonably believed they were the first to call and report the emergency
  • The person correctly identified themselves by name when reporting the emergency
  • The person remained with the individual needing medical assistance until emergency services arrived

Pennsylvania Law (35 P.S. § 780-113.7) provides immunity from prosecution for a small number of drug possession related charges when an individual seeks help for themselves or another individual for a drug related medical emergency. This immunity would not apply to charges of delivering and/or possessing with the intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Responsible Action Protocol

Students safety is important, and the University works to create an environment that is conducive to reporting sexual misconduct and seeking emergency assistance for hazing-related injuries and other serious medical issues. While the university does not condone underage drinking, illegal drug use, or other violations of university policy or the law, the university understands that students may hesitate to get help for themselves and others when they are worried about the potential consequences, including student conduct action. The university has set up the following safety protocols.

Emergency Protocol: Alcohol and other Drugs

A student who takes the initiative to get assistance by notifying the appropriate authorities (e.g., calling 911, alerting a resident assistant, or contacting police) AND meets one or more of the criteria below, will typically not be subject to student conduct action for their own use or possession of alcohol or other drugs. The student will, however, be required to complete an alcohol or drug related educational intervention; any associated fees will be waived. This protocol may be appropriate when:

  • A student seeks medical assistance for themselves when experiencing an alcohol or drug overdose, or related problems
  • A student seeks medical assistance for a peer experiencing an alcohol or drug overdose, or related problems, AND stays with that peer until the appropriate authorities arrive
  • A student experiencing an alcohol or drug overdose, or related problems, for whom another student seeks assistance

Students who are, or know someone who is, struggling with substance misuse are encouraged to access resources and support available through Penn State Health Promotion and Wellness, the Collegiate Recovery Community, and Counseling and Psychological Services.

Emergency Protocol: Hazing

A student who takes the initiative to get assistance by notifying the proper authorities (e.g., calling 911, alerting a resident assistant, or contacting police) AND meets the criteria below, will typically not be subject to student conduct action for Hazing. The student will, however, be required to complete educational interventions to prevent the recurrence of the reported behavior. This protocol may be appropriate when:

  • A student seeks medical assistance for a peer based on a reasonable belief that the person needed immediate medical attention to prevent death or serious injury
  • the student provides their name
  • the student stays with that peer until the appropriate authorities arrive

Students are encouraged to notify the University as soon as possible when they become aware that hazing has, or may, occur. Reports can be filed with the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, or submitted anonymously to the Office of Ethics and Compliance.

Reporting Sexual Misconduct Protocol

A student who makes a report to the University or other appropriate authority (e.g., law enforcement) about experiencing sexual misconduct, or is reporting the experience of another, will typically not be subject to student conduct action related to their own possession or consumption of alcohol or other drugs in connection with the reported incident. As appropriate, involved students may have to complete an educational intervention to address concerns about the student’s substance use; any associated fees will be waived.

Students are encouraged to notify the university as soon as possible when they become aware that sexual misconduct has, or may, occur. Reports can be filed with the Office of Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Response or submitted anonymously to the Office of Ethics and Compliance.

When a student shows a pattern of problematic and/or high-risk behavior, or when the behavior involves other serious alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct, the university may determine it is appropriate to initiate formal student conduct action in lieu of, or in addition to, these protocols.

Office of Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Response (OSMRR)

Penn State is committed to providing an environment that is free from sexual or gender-based discrimination or harassment. Resources are available to members of the University community to provide a prompt and effective response when such incidents occur. Behaviors that fall under policy AD-85 Title IX Sexual Harassment and AD-91 Discrimination and Harassment and Related Inappropriate Conduct 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 physical, emotional, verbal, and/or economic abuse
  • Domestic Violence: May include physical, emotional, verbal, and/or economic abuse
  • Retaliation: Adverse employment, academic, or other actions against anyone reporting or taking part in an investigation of Title IX allegations

*These are intended to serve as representative examples. For full definitions of prohibited conduct, consent, and more information about reporting options and amnesty, please refer to the relevant policy.

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. Students who act responsibly by reporting information about sexual and/or gender-based harassment or misconduct typically will not face University disciplinary action for their own drug or alcohol possession or consumption in connection with the reported incident.

Consent

Any sexual contact that occurs without consent violates Penn State’s policy. Consent is a knowing, voluntary, and a mutual decision among all participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent must be informed, freely given, and mutual.

Reporting Options

Penn State offers a variety of confidential and non-confidential reporting options if a student is a victim of sexual and gender-based harassment or sexual misconduct.

Student survivors, witnesses, and bystanders who report, in good faith, any incident of sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, or stalking will NOT be charged with an alcohol or drug violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Smart and Safe at State

Talking with your Student about Alcohol

Students preparing to attend college have already taken several steps toward independence. Deciding where to go to college, what career or academic path to pursue, and how to finance an education are all choices on the path to learning how to be an adult. College students still need and value their family’s guidance as they make decisions about their future. One of those decisions is about alcohol use at college. Parents and family members are one of the best sources of advice on the issue.

The First Six Weeks

Based on national research about college student drinking, many new students are likely to begin or increase alcohol use during the first six weeks. Even students who did not drink in high school may feel pressure to do so in college. Talk with your student about avoiding underage drinking while in college.

Research suggests that students who talk with their parents and families about alcohol avoidance strategies before they begin the first year of college are more likely to avoid alcohol, limit its use, and spend less time with heavy-drinking peers.

Facts about Alcohol Use Among College Students

National
  • 31% of college students meet the criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse
  • 1,825 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die each year from alcohol-related injuries
  • 599,000 experience a non-fatal, unintentional injury under the influence of alcohol
  • 97,000 students are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or rape each year
Penn State
  • 42% report engaging in high-risk drinking*
  • 69% had to babysit a student who drank too much
  • 12% have been a victim of an unwanted sexual experience
  • 55% report blacking out at least once in the last year
  • 26% report getting behind in schoolwork due to alcohol use

*High-risk, or binge drinking, is defined as having four or more drinks in two hours for women and five or more drinks in two hours for men.

Risky Behaviors Include:

  • Underage drinking
  • Drinking (pre-gaming) before going out
  • Chugging alcohol, doing shots, and participating in drinking games
  • Choosing drinks with a higher alcohol concentration

Warning Signs of a Potential Problem

  • Missing work, school, or other responsibilities
  • Specific school problems such as poor attendance, low grades, and/or disciplinary action
  • Drinking in physically dangerous situations, including drinking and driving
  • Having recurring alcohol-related legal problems, such as being arrested for underage drinking or for physically hurting someone while drunk
  • Mood changes, such as temper flareups, irritability, and defensiveness
  • Physical or mental problems, such as memory lapses, poor concentration, bloodshot eyes, lack of coordination, or slurred speech

How You Can Help

Penn State has a wide range of initiatives in place to better understand, treat, and diminish the negative impact that dangerous drinking can have on students and their potential for success. As a parent, you also play a role in helping your student make good choices about drinking. Your influence can have a positive impact on your student’s safety, health, and well-being. Below are suggestions for talking with your student about alcohol.

Start the Conversation

When talking with your student about alcohol, look for opportunities to raise the topic naturally. Discussions about majors and course selections can lead to a conversation about the ways alcohol can disrupt academic success and career options. Buying items for your student’s residence hall room can turn into talking about how to handle situations where alcohol use by other students might create a problem, such as interrupted study time, baby-sitting a drunk roommate, or unwanted sexual advances.

Familiarize yourself with how alcohol affects the body and brain of young adults. Take some time to evaluate your attitudes, values, and beliefs about alcohol and drinking. Establish open communication to make it easy for your student to talk honestly with you. Show your student that you care about their success in college, both academically and socially.

Talk with your student about:

  • How alcohol affects the body and the negative consequences of high-risk drinking
  • Your expectations around alcohol use
  • Why students drink or do not drink
  • Alternative activities
  • Impact of drinking on health and academic success
  • Penn State’s alcohol policy
  • Pennsylvania’s alcohol laws
  • Penn State’s Code of Conduct
  • Penn State’s Responsible Action Protocol

Portions of this section come from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015). Talking with Your College-Bound Young Adult about Alcohol. U.S. Health and Human Services. Washington, DC. samhsa.gov

Your Role

Understand Penn State’s parental notification policy, make sure your student completes Penn State Safe and Aware, the online learning module, and encourage conversations by asking nonjudgmental and open-ended questions. This allows your student the opportunity to express how they think and feel about college pressures, being away from home, and facing new situations. Below are some conversation starters for discussing issues your student may face.

Conversation Starters

  • How will you decide whether to drink?
  • How will you handle it if you feel pressure to drink? What will you say?
  • If a roommate drinks excessively and the partying affects your sleep and studying, what will you do?
  • What will you do if a friend you are with passes out because of ex¬cessive drinking?
  • How will you handle it if you are asked to babysit someone who is very drunk?

Stay Connected After Your Student Leaves for College

  • Stay involved with your student’s life
  • Call your student frequently during the first six weeks of college, especially on weekends
  • Ask questions about your student’s alcohol use
  • Learn about your student’s roommates and their new friends
  • Encourage your student to get involved in activities and organizations on campus

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2010). What Parents Need to Know about College Drinking. National Institutes of Health. Bethesda, Maryland. collegedrinkingprevention.gov

Turrisi, R., Mallett, K.A., Cleveland, M., Warvil-Weld, L., Abar, C.C., Scaglione, N. and Hultgren, B. (2013). An Evaluation of Timing and Dosage of a Parent-Based Intervention to Minimize College Students’ Alcohol Consumption. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 74(1), 30-40.

Turrisi, Rob. (2010). A Parent Handbook for Talking with College Students about Alcohol. The Pennsylvania State University. University Park, PA.

Penn State Safe and Aware

Penn State Safe and Aware is an interactive, online learning module that incoming students must complete before arriving to campus. The module provides information about alcohol, the alcohol laws in Pennsylvania, and Penn State’s alcohol and drug policies. It also includes information about sexual assault, the sexual violence laws in Pennsylvania, and Penn State’s resources for victims of sexual violence.

Students should have complete Penn State Safe and Aware before attending New Student Orientation.

Explore the family version at parents.safeaware.psu.edu.

Alcohol Laws in Pennsylvania

This is a general summary of several alcohol laws in Pennsylvania. For more details about each law and information about additional alcohol laws, visit the Pennsylvania General Assembly website.

Underage Drinking

The legal drinking age is 21. Underage drinking is illegal. It is illegal for anyone under 21 years of age to attempt to purchase, consume, possess, or knowingly and intentionally transport any liquor, malt, or brewed beverage. Penalties may include:

Penalty1st Offense2nd OffenseSubsequent Offense
Fine0–$5000–$1,0000–$1,000
Jail0–90 days0–90 days0–90 days

Under state law, police departments, including State College Police and University Police, must notify parents or guardians of all underage drinking violations. While each agency differs in how and when this notice is delivered, University Police send a physical letter to the student's home address after issuing an underage drinking citation.

Carrying False I.D.

It is illegal for anyone under 21 to possess an identification card falsely identifying that person by name, age, date of birth, or photograph as being 21 or older or obtain or attempt to obtain liquor, malt, or brewed beverage by using the identification card of another or by using an identification card that has not been lawfully issued to or in the name of the person who possesses the card.

Penalty1st Offense2nd OffenseSubsequent Offense
Fine0–$3000–$5000–$500
Jail0–90 days0–1 year0–1 year

Public Drunkenness

It is illegal to appear in any public place under the influence of alcohol to the degree that you may endanger yourself or other persons or property or annoy others in your vicinity.

Penalty1st Offense2nd OffenseSubsequent Offense
Fine0–$5000–$1,0000–$1,000
Jail0–90 days0–90 days0–90 days

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

It is illegal for anyone under 21 to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .02 or higher, and it is illegal for those 21 or older to drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher. A first-time offense individual, under certain circumstances, may qualify for an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program.

The following penalties may apply if a person between the ages of 18 and 21 is convicted of a DUI with a blood alcohol content below .16%:

Penalty1st Offense2nd OffenseSubsequent Offense
Fine$500–$5,000$750–$1,000$1,500–$10,000
Jail48 hours–6 months30 days–6 months90 days–5 years
License Suspension1 year1 year1.5 years
OtherAlcohol Highway Safety School
Court Reporting Network File		Alcohol Highway Safety School
Court Reporting Network File		Court Reporting Network File
Drug and Alcohol Evaluation

*Penalties differ based on age, blood alcohol content, and other factors. Penalties vary for individuals under 18.

Note: If a student is from a state other than Pennsylvania and the home state is part of the national compact on DUI enforcement (46 states are), the student must fulfill these penalties in Pennsylvania and his/her license from the home state will be suspended, if applicable.

Furnishing Alcohol to Minors

It is illegal to knowingly sell, furnish, or purchase with the intent to sell or furnish, any liquor, malt, or brewed beverage to a person who is less than 21 years of age. You can be convicted of furnishing alcohol even if you are under age 21. The fine for a first offense is at least $1,000 and the second or more is $2,500. Jail is up to one year for all.

Public Urination and Defecation Ordinance

It is illegal to urinate or defecate in/on a public place, private property where the public is admitted, and private property without the consent of the owner. It is illegal to urinate or defecate in any public place other than in an appropriate sanitary facility and a separate offense to fail to clean, remove, or dispose of it properly. Violations are summary offenses with a fine of not less than $750 for the first offense and $1,000 for any subsequent offense plus court costs for each violation.

Marijuana Laws

Possession of Marijuana

It is unlawful for a person to knowingly, or intentionally possess marijuana (Cannabis), a Schedule I substance.

Persons engaged in such activity will most likely face criminal charges and a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The criminal charges for marijuana possession include:

QuantityChargeJail TimeFine
30 grams or lessMisdemeanor30 days0–$500
Over 30 gramsMisdemeanor1 year0–$5,000

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

It is unlawful for a person to use or possess, with the intent to use, drug paraphernalia that is used for packaging, manufacturing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body a controlled substance in violation of the Controlled Substances, Drugs, Device and Cosmetic Act of 1972.

Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act

Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act went into effect on May 17, 2016. However, marijuana in any form remains a prohibited controlled substance under federal law, and therefore the possession, cultivation, and use by individuals remain illegal under federal law. The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act conflicts with federal criminal laws governing controlled substances, as well as federal laws requiring institutions receiving federal funds, by grant or contract, to maintain drug-free campuses and workplaces. Penn State receives federal funding that would be in jeopardy if those federal laws did not take precedence over state law. The use, possession, and distribution of cannabis continues to violate applicable University policies. This includes medicinal marijuana (or medicinal cannabis) and synthetically-derived cannabis products such as Delta-8 and Delta-10. FDA-approved drugs (e.g., Marinol®, Syndros®, and Epidolex®) are permitted with a valid prescription. Any student or employee who violates such policies may be subject to disciplinary action.

No Smoking Policy

The University promotes a smoke-free environment. The use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, all nicotine delivery devices, and other tobacco products are not permitted on campus, including University housing and commons buildings.

Immunization and Health History Records

All incoming Penn State students must provide proof of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella. In accordance with Pennsylvania state law, students living in on-campus housing must also provide proof of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menveo, Menactra, MCV4, and MenQuadfi, Penbraya), which protects against infections caused by serogroups A, C, W, and Y.

Some students, such as student-athletes or students in certain health-related majors may be asked to submit additional immunization information. These students must also submit official immunization records using the process below.

Students should log into myUHS using their Penn State access credentials and upload image files of their official immunization records and, if applicable, any positive antibody blood test results (titers). All immunization records must be in English.

Other Recommended Vaccines

In addition to the required vaccines, Penn State also strongly recommends that students receive the following vaccines:

  • Serogroup B meningococcal
  • Varicella (chickenpox)
  • Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis A
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Pneumococcal
  • Annual influenza (flu) vaccine
  • COVID-19 vaccines

Students are also encouraged to complete the online health history form in myUHS.

Student Insurance

Adequate health insurance provides students with security and an enhanced sense of well-being during their time at Penn State. For this reason, the University requires all international students to have health insurance and strongly recommends that all U.S. students have health insurance coverage that is accepted by providers on or near the campus they attend.

Each year, students are required to submit health insurance coverage through LionPATH. If your student does not currently have adequate coverage, we highly encourage them to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for Penn State. SHIP for Penn State is designed specifically for students and offers comprehensive health insurance at a competitive price with a wide network of providers across the United States.

Penn State recognizes that financial insecurity has a detrimental impact on both a student’s academic performance and their overall health. Student Health Insurance has collaborated with the Office of Student Care and Advocacy to help more adequately address student needs related to health insurance coverage and other financial concerns. If your student would like support in seeking affordable healthcare or needs help securing basic needs (food, housing, etc.) as a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, complete the Basic Needs Assistance Request Form .

Health and Safety Resources at Behrend

Counseling Center

College years are a time of transition and change. With new responsibilities, relationships, and a different environment, it is natural for students to feel out of balance or overwhelmed at times. Students don’t have to navigate this time alone. The Counseling Center at Penn State Behrend is available to support all enrolled students at every step in their college journey.

The Counseling Center offers a wide range of services to help students manage these transitions, grow personally, and thrive academically—offering the resources they need to achieve real success at Behrend.

Counseling Center Services:
  • Consultations
  • Relaxation Room
  • Indoor and outdoor workshops and groups
  • Events and programs on well-being
  • Peer-to-Peer program
  • HeartMath program
  • Red light therapy
  • Nurture in Nature program
  • Individual counseling
  • Community and psychiatric resources

Erie Hall

Erie Hall, a recreation and wellness center for students, features a three-court gym, fitness spaces, and aerobics rooms. Equipment includes squat racks, free weights, treadmills, ellipticals, and other cardio and strength machines. The facility, which is free for students to use, also offers intramural programming, fitness classes and group activities.

Health Center

Penn State Behrend’s Health Center cares for students’ health issues confidentially and respectfully. The center offers medical care and treatment for most illnesses and minor injuries, as well as lab testing and medications.

For questions about on-site treatment of illness or management of other health issues, contact the center.

Health Center Services:
  • Allergy injections
  • Biometric Screening
  • Brief Alcohol Screening in College Students (BASICS)
  • Cannabis Screening and Education for College Students (CASECS)
  • Contraception options, free condoms, PlanB
  • Immunizations: Flu; measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)—two doses required for all students; meningitis (meningococcal conjugate)—required for all students living on campus; tetanus (tdap)
  • Laboratory services (sent to ACL daily)
  • Medical supplies such as bandages, ice packs, and crutches
  • Mental health screenings
  • Over-the-counter medications available for purchase
  • Physical examinations for driver’s exams, employment, study abroad, and sports
    PPD skin testing
  • Sexual health services, including PrEP/PEP
  • Suturing and suture removal
  • Testing for anemia, influenza, mononucleosis, throat infections, tuberculosis, urinary tract infections, pregnancy, COVID, and sexually transmitted diseases
Location and Hours

The Health Center is in the Carriage House, by Reed Union Building and Senat Hall. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sports Medicine Clinic hours are Mondays and Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Appointments

Students can schedule appointments online by going to behrend.psu.edu/health, and then following directions under “Make An Appointment.”

Insurance

The Health Center accepts most major insurance. Coverage depends on the plan; check with your carrier. Charges for office visits and lab tests are submitted to health insurance. Fees for medications and supplies can be paid with cash, check, or LionCash, or can be applied to your student‘s account.

University Police and Public Safety

University Police and Public Safety at Penn State Behrend is responsible for protecting and serving the college’s students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
University Police and Public Safety officers are charged with protecting property, maintaining order, and enforcing the laws of Pennsylvania and the regulations of Penn State. The department has full law enforcement authority, and officers are trained to respond to certain emergency medical situations.

The department’s web site, behrend.psu.edu/police , provides more information, including safety and crime prevention tips, parking information, crime statistics, and Penn State policies for selected topics, as well as resources on criminal, legal, and safety issues.

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