Office of Ethics and Compliance

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The Office of Ethics & Compliance serves and collaborates with the Penn State community to inspire ethical behavior and find innovative solutions to compliance challenges, thereby ensuring the University’s continued academic, research, and athletic success.

The Athletic Compliance office is committed to educating every member within Penn State Athletics of the rules and regulations provided by the NCAA to prevent even the minor infractions. In the case of a by-law violation, the compliance office will aim to identify, evaluate, and report the violation to the NCAA.

The Privacy Office promotes an organizational culture that provides exceptional leadership and oversight to Penn State faculty, staff, and students so they may conduct business operations and activities with privacy at the forefront. The Privacy office provides guidance and advice about compliance with local and regulatory requirements and University policies, standards, and guidelines pertaining to privacy.

To ensure compliance with Title IX and other federal and state civil rights laws, the University has designated a Title IX Coordinator to monitor compliance with Title IX and ensure that reports of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct are appropriately investigated and addressed by the University. Any student, faculty, or staff member who has questions or concerns about their rights under Title IX or who believes that he or she has been the victim of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct, is encouraged to contact the University’s Title IX Coordinator.

The Youth Program Compliance Unit supports programs and policies involving youth protection, is responsible for coordinating compliance with the University’s policies impacting youth protection and serves as the focal point for review and communication of updated procedures and processes to comply with such policies.

Amber Grove, Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer

Primary Strategic Goals

Understand the Compliance and Ethics Risks and How They are Being Mitigated Today
We will lead efforts to update the understanding of compliance and ethics risks across the University and the mitigation measures currently in place, working in partnership with stakeholders and unit leaders.
Measure the Impact and Continuous Improvement of Penn State’s Compliance Program
We will create and maintain a Program Maturity Assessment process and design metrics to allow us to continuously improve our compliance program and provide University Leadership with accurate and actionable data to understand the state of our compliance and ethics efforts.
Make Values, Ethics and Compliance Part of the Conversation
We will create and disseminate fresh compliance and ethics messaging based on the Penn State Values to ensure that all members of the University community are aware of (1) the importance of doing things the right way, (2) ways to address/raise concerns and (3) the support of University Leadership for compliance/ethics (“tone at the top”).
Optimize Issue Identification/Raising and Response Practices
We will establish best practices for concern/compliant management and investigations and engage with stakeholders and partners to facilitate adoption of common approaches.

New faculty may want to contact Ethics and Compliance to:

Learn about how to raise concerns or report misconduct.
Find resources and contact information to raise concerns or report misconduct.
Better understand University policies and procedures.
Register a youth program.
Request international travel, visitor, or shipment reviews.
Request a Privacy Impact Assessment.

Top Items Faculty Should Know About Ethics and Compliance

*Top Items faculty should know about Ethics and Compliance*
	As a member of the Penn State community, you are encouraged to report potential issues and concerns Links to an external site. and/or raise questions if you learn about something that might not be consistent with the Penn State Values.
	The Privacy Office promotes an organizational culture that provides exceptional leadership and oversight to Penn State faculty, staff, and students so they may conduct business operations and activities with privacy at the forefront. We commit to compliance with local and regulatory requirements and University policies, standards, and guidelines pertaining to data privacy. Related policies: Penn State's Policy AD53 Links to an external site. Penn State's Policy AD22 Links to an external site.
	Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. All forms of sexual or gender-based harassment, including but not limited to, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault are violations of Title IX. Title IX protects individuals of all genders and sexual orientations and applies to students, faculty, staff, independent contractors, campus visitors, and other participants in University educational programs and activities. Related policies: Penn State’s Policy AD 67 Links to an external site. Penn State’s Title IX Policy AD 85 Links to an external site. Discrimination & Harassment & Related Inappropriate Conduct Policy (AD 91) Links to an external site.
	The Youth Program Compliance Unit assists in the identification, prioritization, development and delivery of effective tools (in response to Penn State faculty, staff and volunteer needs) for implementing youth programs. The Unit explores, recommends, and trains youth program leaders in current best practices, Penn State policy and applicable laws related to working with youth. Related policies: AD39 Links to an external site. - Minors Involved In University-Sponsored Programs or Programs Held at the University and/or Housed in University Facilities AD72 Links to an external site. - Reporting Suspected Child Abuse HR48 Links to an external site. - Child Care Program Policy HR99 Links to an external site. - Background Check Process
	The Penn State Athletic Compliance program operates in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth by the NCAA, the Big Ten, and the Pennsylvania State University. The Athletic Compliance office is committed to educating every member within Penn State Athletics of the rules and regulations provided by the NCAA, in an effort to prevent even the minor infractions. In the case of a by-law violation, the compliance office will aim to identify, evaluate, and report the violation to the NCAA.

Relevant Programming for New Faculty

Ethics and Compliance Fun Facts

Penn State Faculty, Staff and Volunteers interact with over 200,000 non-matriculated minors annually through youth programs, activities, and services.

Additional Resources and Contact Information

Resources

As a member of the Penn State community, you are encouraged to report potential issues and/or raise questions if you learn about something that might not be consistent with the Penn State Values. You may raise your concern anonymously if you choose to via the Penn State Hotline by calling 1-800-560-1637 or reporting online Links to an external site.. And remember, Penn State policies protect you from retaliation if you raise a concern or ask a question in good faith.

If you experience an emergency, need to report a crime, or need immediate assistance, contact emergency services by calling 911 or Penn State Police

Ethics and Compliance Contact Information

Rider Building
227 West Beaver Ave
Suite 212
State College, PA 16801
814-867-5088
psoec@psu.edu