International Student & Scholar Services

International Programs

International Student & Scholar Handbook

University Policies and Procedures

The PennBook
What to Do If Things Go Wrong

Penn is committed to freedom of thought, discourse and speech, and the attainment of the highest quality of academic and educational pursuits and daily work. It has a number of policies and guidelines that make explicit the expectations of students, faculty, and staff in dealing with one another.

The PennBook

Most University policies, procedures, and University resources can be found in the PennBook: http://www.upenn.edu/osl/pennbook.html.

The following policies, among others in the PennBook will guide and govern your activities at Penn. Read through the information carefully, as all members of the Penn community are expected to know and follow these policies:

Top

What To Do If Things Go Wrong

If you think you have been treated unfairly at Penn by faculty, staff, or fellow students, you should bring your grievance to the attention of University officials. ISSS staff will assist you by referring you to the appropriate office or individual. We can help arrange appointments with any of the following resources and advise you on your initial visit.

Office of the Ombudsman
113 Duhring Wing, Fisher Fine Arts Library
215-898-8261
http://www.upenn.edu/ombudsman/

The Ombudsman is available to students, faculty, and staff with a grievance involving the University or anyone within the University. The Ombudsman acts as an objective, impartial agent and will either refer the complaint to the person best able to resolve the program, or investigate the matter, making appropriate recommendations for its resolution. The Ombudsman handles all kinds of issues from academic freedom, personal conflicts, harassment, to concerns of personal safety.

Office of Student Conduct
3700 Spruce St. - the Quad
215-898-5651
http://www.upenn.edu/osc/

Any student, faculty or staff member who believes that a student has violated a University rule may file a written complaint with this office. Among other matters, the staff at OSC is responsible for investigating complaints against students under the regulations of the University; determining whether the charges against a student should be brought before the Hearing Board; resolving by agreement charges against students; presenting evidence supporting charges in hearings and ensuring that agreements and sanctions are enforced. ISSS will also report incidents of immigration document forgery or signature forgery to the Office of Student Conduct.

Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs
3600 Chestnut Street, Nichols House, Suite 228
215-898-6993
http://www.upenn.edu/affirm-action/

The Office consults, investigates, and attempts to resolve complaints or grievances that involve issues of discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origins, or disability.

Other Offices That Can Help You Resolve Grievances

African-American Resource Center
3537 Locust Walk Suite 200
215-898-0104
http://www.upenn.edu/aarc/

Greenfield Intercultural Center
3708 Chestnut St.
215-898-3357
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/gic/

Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center
3907 Spruce Street
215-898-5044
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/lgbtc/

Office of the Vice Provost for University Life
Office of Student Life
200 Houston Hall
215-898-4340
http://www.upenn.edu/osl/

Penn Women's Center
3643 Locust Walk
215-898-8611
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/pwc/

Return to Handbook for International Students and Scholars

	International Programs Penn Abroad \| ISSS \| International Travel and Research
International Student & Scholar Services New Arrivals Orientation International Student & Scholar Handbook Visas & Immigration Information for Penn Departments Instructions & Forms International Student Advisory Board International Partners Outreach Group Intercultural Leadership Program ISSS Staff Events & Announcements Online Appointment Scheduler Emergency Contact Information International Programs Penn Abroad International Student & Scholar Services Staff Directory International Travel and Research	International Student & Scholar Handbook University Policies and Procedures The PennBook What to Do If Things Go Wrong Penn is committed to freedom of thought, discourse and speech, and the attainment of the highest quality of academic and educational pursuits and daily work. It has a number of policies and guidelines that make explicit the expectations of students, faculty, and staff in dealing with one another. The PennBook Most University policies, procedures, and University resources can be found in the PennBook: http://www.upenn.edu/osl/pennbook.html. The following policies, among others in the PennBook will guide and govern your activities at Penn. Read through the information carefully, as all members of the Penn community are expected to know and follow these policies: Code of Academic Integrity Patent Policy Affirmative Action Policy Statement Alcohol and Drug Policy Bicycle Policy Classroom Guidelines Code of Student Conduct Confidentiality Emergency Closing English Fluency Rules Governing Final Examinations Funding Guidelines for Student Groups Charter of the University Judicial System Use of the University's Name Non-Discrimination Policy Statement Guidelines on Open Expression Acquaintance Rape and Sexual Violence Policy Photocopying for Educational Use Secular and Religious Holidays Sexual Harassment Handbook Smoking in Nonresidential Buildings Unauthorized Copying or Use of Licensed Software Top What To Do If Things Go Wrong If you think you have been treated unfairly at Penn by faculty, staff, or fellow students, you should bring your grievance to the attention of University officials. ISSS staff will assist you by referring you to the appropriate office or individual. We can help arrange appointments with any of the following resources and advise you on your initial visit. Office of the Ombudsman 113 Duhring Wing, Fisher Fine Arts Library 215-898-8261 http://www.upenn.edu/ombudsman/ The Ombudsman is available to students, faculty, and staff with a grievance involving the University or anyone within the University. The Ombudsman acts as an objective, impartial agent and will either refer the complaint to the person best able to resolve the program, or investigate the matter, making appropriate recommendations for its resolution. The Ombudsman handles all kinds of issues from academic freedom, personal conflicts, harassment, to concerns of personal safety. Office of Student Conduct 3700 Spruce St. - the Quad 215-898-5651 http://www.upenn.edu/osc/ Any student, faculty or staff member who believes that a student has violated a University rule may file a written complaint with this office. Among other matters, the staff at OSC is responsible for investigating complaints against students under the regulations of the University; determining whether the charges against a student should be brought before the Hearing Board; resolving by agreement charges against students; presenting evidence supporting charges in hearings and ensuring that agreements and sanctions are enforced. ISSS will also report incidents of immigration document forgery or signature forgery to the Office of Student Conduct. Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs 3600 Chestnut Street, Nichols House, Suite 228 215-898-6993 http://www.upenn.edu/affirm-action/ The Office consults, investigates, and attempts to resolve complaints or grievances that involve issues of discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origins, or disability. Other Offices That Can Help You Resolve Grievances African-American Resource Center 3537 Locust Walk Suite 200 215-898-0104 http://www.upenn.edu/aarc/ Greenfield Intercultural Center 3708 Chestnut St. 215-898-3357 http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/gic/ Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center 3907 Spruce Street 215-898-5044 http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/lgbtc/ Office of the Vice Provost for University Life Office of Student Life 200 Houston Hall 215-898-4340 http://www.upenn.edu/osl/ Penn Women's Center 3643 Locust Walk 215-898-8611 http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/pwc/ Return to Handbook for International Students and Scholars
	International Programs Penn Abroad \| ISSS \| International Travel and Research