The Pennsylvania State University SHM 201 215 Graduate Student Handbook

User Manual: SHM 201 - 215

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2017-2018

Graduate Resource Guide and Student Handbook

School of Hospitality Management

The Pennsylvania State University

201 Mateer Building

University Park PA 16802

814-865-1853

www.hhdev.psu.edu/shm

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Faculty and Staff Directory…………………………………………………………………………………………3

Graduate Faculty Research Interests……………………………………………………………………………..4

Program Requirements and Prerequisites ................................................................................................... 5

Master of Science (M.S.)…………………………………………………………………………………...5

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) ............................................................................................................ 6

List of Graduate Courses taught…………………………………………………………………………………..7

HM Ph.D. Exams

Candidacy Exam…………………………………………………………………………………………….8

Comprehensive Exam ....................................................................................................................... 8

Components of the Candidacy Exam…………………………………………………………………………..9,10

Process for Changing Advisors……………………………………………………………………………………11

International Students Reduced Course Load & PSU Background Check Information………………...12

HM Graduate Policies ................................................................................................................................. 13

Workshops on Grant Writing ...................................................................................................................... 14

SARI (Scholarship and Research Integrity) ……………………………………………………………………15

Program Information and Course Content Form and……………………………………..…16,17

CHHD SARI…………………………………………………………………………………………….18

Code of Conduct…………………………………………………………………………………………………..19,20

Plagiarism……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..21

APPENDICES……………………………………………………………………………………………………….22

Guidelines for Advisors……………………………………………………………………………………..23,24,25

Report of Doctoral Candidacy……………………………………………………………………………………..26

Committee Appointment Signature Form……………………………………………………………27,28,29,30

Graduate Assessment/Assistantship Assessment Form…………………………………………31,32

Policy AD42 Statement on Nondiscrimination and Harassment…………………………………..33

Academic Integrity 49-20…………………………………………………………………………………33

Termination Guidelines………………………………………………………………………………......34

Penn State Campus Information Links………………………………………………………………...35

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce. This publication is available in

alternative media on request. Revised 9/17

SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Faculty and Staff Directory

Name

Office Phone

Office

Address

Title

Ahlgren, Mike, Ph.D.

814-863-8981

122 Mateer

MBA13@PSU.EDU

Teaching Assistant Professor,

Directory of Gaming Initiatives

Bartlett, Bart, Ph.D.

814-863-7443

201F Mateer

BARTB@PSU.EDU

Associate Director, Associate

Professor

Black, Brian, B.S.

814-865-6728

201H Mateer

BAB180@PSU.EDU

Director of Hospitality Industry

and Alumni Relations

Bordi, Peter, Ph.D.

814-863-3579

124 Mateer

PLBJR@PSU.EDU

Associate Professor, Director of

the Center for Food Innovation

Burckhard, Donna, B.A

814-865-1853

201 Mateer

DES5195@PSU.EDU

Administrative Assistant

Cliette, Brian, M.S.

814-865-1204

220 Mateer

BAC45@PSU.EDU

Instructor

Cooper, Kim M.B.A.

814-863-8993

231 Mateer

KJC187@PSU.EDU

Instructor

Davis, Mandee

814-863-0840

201D Mateer

ACS5022@PSU.EDU

Office Manager, Assistant to the

Director

Egan, Beth, M.Ed.

814-863-7539

214 Mateer

BETHEGAN@PSU.EDU

Senior Instructor

Golas, Jacqueline, B.S.

814-865-1854

201G Mateer

JJK146@PSU.EDU

Programs and Events Manager

Heim, Jeff, M.H.R.I.M.

814-865-7990

213 Mateer

JVH4@PSU.EDU

Senior Instructor, Academic

Adviser

Impelitteri, Kim, B.S.

814-863-3588

123 Mateer

KAC104@PSU.EDU

Research Technologist, Center for

Food Innovation

Jackson, Ruth Ann,

M.B.A

814-863-5437

225 Mateer

RAL10@PSU.EDU

Director of Hospitality Leadership

Institute, Instructor

Jolly, Phillip, Ph.D

814-863-2210

223 Mateer

PMJ12@PSU.EDU

Assistant Professor

Kelley, Paul, M.B.A.

814-863-3956

226 Mateer

PJK20@PSU.EDU

Instructor

Kidd, Bill

814-863-4847

228 Mateer

WRK2@PSU.EDU

Instructor

Lawson, Mitchell,

M.B.A.

814-867-3822

234 Mateer

MTL15@PSU.EDU

Instructor

Lee, Seoki, Ph.D.

814-863-7442

217 Mateer

SZL120@PSU.EDU

Associate Professor

Mattila, Anna, Ph.D.

814-863-5757

224 Mateer

ASM6@PSU.EDU

Marriott Professor, Professor-in-

Charge of Graduate Program

Mount, Daniel, D.B.A.

814-863-2675

227 Mateer

DMOUNT@PSU.EDU

Associate Professor, In charge of

International Studies & Students

Noone, Breffni, Ph.D.

814-865-7128

201 Mateer

BMN2@PSU.EDU

Associate Professor

Oberlin, Brenda

814-867-2170

201A Mateer

BLC20@psu.edu

Undergraduate Program Specialist

O’Neill, John, Ph.D.

814-863-8984

216 Mateer

JWO3@PSU.EDU

Professor, Director of the Center

for Hospitality Real Estate

Strategy

Parkes, Jennifer

814-863-1448

201K Mateer

JQP4@PSU.EDU

Graduate Program Specialist

Quadri-Felitti, Donna,

Ph.D.

814-863-0081

201E Mateer

DLQ3@PSU.EDU

Director and Associate Professor

Rachau, David, M.Ed.

814-865-7033

212 Mateer

DQR5@PSU.EDU

Academic Advisor

Ranjeva, J.P., M.B.A.

814-863-3370

232 Mateer

JUR23@PSU.EDU

Senior Instructor

Regopoulos, Peter,

M.B.A.

814-867-2298

221 Mateer

PCR11@PSU.EDU

Senior Instructor

Ruth, George, M.S.

814-863-0566

233 Mateer

GBR10@PSU.EDU

Senior Instructor

Sharma, Amit, Ph.D.

814-865-0126

218 Mateer

AUS22@PSU.EDU

Professor, Director of Food

Decision Research Lab

Tews, Michael, Ph.D.

814-863-7130

121 Mateer

MJT17@PSU.EDU

Associate Professor

Van Hoof, Bert, Ph.D.

814-863-0009

219 Mateer

HBV1@PSU.EDU

Professor

Verbeeten, Marja, Ed.D.

814-865-6673

222 Mateer

MJV13@PSU.EDU

Teaching Associate Professor

Zimmerman, Michael

814-863-6665

201B Mateer

MRZ3@PSU.EDU

Budget/Finance Assistant

SHM Graduate Faculty Research Interests:

Bartlett, Bart Ph.D. Penn State University Job Satisfaction, Job Design, Multiculturalism

Bordi, Peter Ph.D. Penn State University USDA “Farm to School,” Cancer Study with

Nutrition Department, Product Development

Jolly, Phil Ph.D. University of Houston Research Interests are Diversity, Inclusion in

Organizations, Compensation, Benefits, and

Leadership

Lee, Seoki Ph.D. Penn State University Corporate Social Responsibility,

Internationalization, Financial Distress and

Equity Valuation

Mattila, Anna Ph.D. Cornell University Service Encounters, Service Recovery,

Customer Emotions, Servicescape

Mount, Daniel D.B.A. U.S. International Service Recovery, Satisfaction, Survey

University Design, and Analysis

Noone, Breffni Ph.D. Cornell University Services Operations Management, Revenue

Management, Consumer Behavior, Customer

Satisfaction, Customer Relationship

Management

O’Neill, John Ph.D. University of Strategic Planning, Lodging Management,

Rhode Island Real Estate Valuation

Quadri-Felitti, Donna Ph.D. Iowa State University Social Media, Digital Marketing, Experience

Economy

Sharma, Amit Ph.D. VA Polytechnic Financial Management, Entrepreneurship

Institute and State University and Economic Development

Tews, Michael Ph.D. Cornell University Human Resource Management

Van Hoof, Hubert Ph.D. Arizona State University Hospitality Management Education, Public

Policy Issues in Tourism and Recreation

MS Programs Prerequisites:

 1 year of work experience in the hospitality industry

 Undergraduate degree

Program Requirements (36 credits): General (core) requirements (13 credits), Research Methods

(12 credits), Discipline-based courses (18 credits), and Advisor-Approved Electives (12 credits)

I. Methods Courses (9 credits)

HM 503 (3 cr) – Research Methods in HM (required)

6 Credits of Methods Courses:

Stat 500 (3)

Stat 501 (3)

II. Colloquium – HM 590 (4 credits)

III. Concentration Courses (15 credits)

These are courses that build a focused hospitality research area. The student’s concentration area and

concentration area courses will be defined in consultation with the student’s advisor and thesis committee. This

MUST include 6 credits of HRIM graduate-level courses, excluding independent study courses.

IV. Thesis Research – HM 600 (6 credits)

M.S. Thesis Required (to be presented at SHM Research Mixer), Date Defended

If a MS student decides to change advisors in the 2nd semester, send request in writing to the PIC and the reason

for the change.

Date Student Participated in the Graduate Exhibition (required)

V. Deficiency and Provisional Courses:

It is critical that these course/requirements be addressed as it can affect the student’s standing in the Program and has the

potential to delay graduation.

Examples of Possible Hospitality Research Concentration Areas:

Consumer Behavior

Hospitality Real Estate Management

Small Hospitality Business Management

Sales and Marketing

Financial Management

Human Resources Management

Strategy

Operations Management

Branding

New Product Development

Revenue Management

Food Decision Making

Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.):

This advanced graduate program is designed for individuals who wish to become hospitality

researchers and/or professors at the college and university level. Students’ programs are individualized

to ensure that, in addition to a mastery of the scope of knowledge in hospitality management, they also

have the ability to complete significant research in a focused hospitality management area.

Program Prerequisites:

The equivalent of a master’s degree with an undergraduate or graduate degree in HM and a

minimum of 1 year of hospitality work experience.

Program Requirements (minimum of 55 credits):

I. General Core Requirements (13 credits):

Courses may not be counted twice under any of the areas. No more than 9 credits in total of independent study

coursework may be counted toward the minimum degree requirements (with no more than 6 credits of

independent study counting toward the requirements of any one area).

HM 590 (4 cr. total - Colloquium) – This course is a sequence of four-semester seminars (1

credit each) which consist of a series of individual presentations by faculty, students or outside

speakers. One semester seminar will focus on “Research,” one on “Higher Education,” and one

on “Philosophy of Science.” The order in which the seminars are taken is not restricted, each

seminar stands alone, and each seminar is not a prerequisite to the following seminar.

HM 585 (3 cr. - Seminar in HM) - an in-depth exploration of hospitality research issues and

research literature (prerequisites: HM 503 (or equivalent) and 6 credits of statistics beyond

STAT 500 and two year of full-time doctoral coursework.

HM 586 - Research Methods and Evaluation in HM (3 credits) advanced graduate hospitality

research methods and design

HM 503 (3 cr. - Research Methods in HM)

II. Statistics and Quantitative Methods (minimum of 12 credits):

III. Discipline-Based Courses (minimum of 18 credits)

Courses selected will build an HRIM concentration specialty area.

IV. Advisor Approved Electives (minimum of 12 credits)

The student must select a supporting area which emphasizes course work outside of the HM program. The student’s outside

committee member should represent the outside supporting area.

V. Dissertation

VI. Provisional Courses – these courses do not count toward the credits required for the degree

It is critical that these courses/requirements be addressed as they can affect the student’s standing in the Program and has the

potential to delay graduation

Verification of master’s degree completed (date)

Three article submissions to refereed journals.

Date Student Participated in the Graduate Exhibition (required):

Additional doctoral degree requirements:

All candidates are required to demonstrate a high level of competence in the use of the English

language. Competence in English is assessed for all students prior to admission into the program via

their written application statements, their GRE/GMAT test results, and the faculty SKYPE interview. In

addition, international students must take the TOEFL exam and be tested by the University prior to the

first week of class of their initial semester. Students may be given provisional reading, writing, and/or

Speech Communication courses depending on the outcome of their English language evaluations. These

provisional course credits will not count toward the student's Ph.D. program. Notes:Any request for

substitution/change in the candidate’s program must be submitted in writing to the PIC and written approval must be received

before the courses will be counted towards the program requirements.

LIST OF HM GRADUATE COURSES TAUGHT:

HM 503Research Methods in Hospitality Management (3) An introduction to the process of research;

problem-solving approaches; the research proposal and the development of the research question.

HM 511Services Marketing for the Hospitality Industry (3) Hospitality services marketing.

HM 585Seminar in Hospitality Management (1-9) This course is a doctoral seminar in HM that

addresses the conceptual foundations of the HR&IM knowledge base.

HM 586Research Methods and Evaluation in Hospitality Management (1-9) This course is a

doctoral seminar in HM that addresses various research methodologies and evaluation procedures that

are applicable to HM.

HM 590Colloquium (1-3) Continuing seminars which consist of a series of individual lectures by

faculty, students, or outside speakers.

HM 594Research Topics (1-18) Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an

individual or small group basis.

HM 595Internship (1-18) Supervised off-campus, nongroup instruction, including field experiences,

practicums, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity required.

HM 596Individual Studies (1-9) Creative projects, including nonthesis research, which are supervised

on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.

HM 597Special Topics (1-9) Formal courses given on a topical or special interest subject which may be

offered infrequently.

HM 599Foreign Studies (1-2 per semester/maximum of 4) Courses offered in foreign countries by

individual or group instruction.

HM 600Thesis Research (1-15) No description.

HM 601Ph.D. Dissertation Full-Time (0) No description.

HM 602Supervised Experience in College Teaching (1-3 per semester, maximum of 6) No

description.

HM 610Thesis Research Off Campus (1-15) No description.

HM 611Ph.D. Dissertation Part-Time (0) No description.

HM Ph.D. EXAMS

Candidacy Exam (given after the student’s second semester)

The purpose of the Candidacy Exam is to evaluate doctoral students’ progress and demonstrated

ability early in their course of study. The exam will assess whether the student is capable of conducting

doctoral research based on evidence of critical thinking or other measures that the program’s faculty

view as important to a successful doctoral student.

A student must sit for the Candidacy Exam after at least 18 credits are earned in graduate courses

(usually after the second semester). The student must be enrolled full-time for the semester in which the

exam is administered. All deficiencies and provisions must have been met with no NG (no grade) or DF

(deferred grade) still outstanding. In addition, a student must have a 3.0 grade-point average. The

Candidacy Exam will be administered once a year, in May. In the fall semester, students will be given

an Operational Procedures Manual for the Candidacy Exam.

The Candidacy Exam is comprised of the following components: a) Written Proposal (See

Appendix for further details) and oral exam.

The Written Proposal is scored by the student’s mentoring committee. Recommendations are

submitted to the HM Graduate Faculty and all results are finalized the Graduate Faculty.

Comprehensive Exam (at the end of coursework, usually after the third year)

The HM Written Comprehensive Exam will be after a Ph.D. candidate has completed all course

work. The exam is discipline-based and administered by the candidate’s chair and committee. The

student must be enrolled full-time for the semester in which the exam is administered (excluding

summers). All deficiencies and provisions must have been met with no NG (no grade) or DF (deferred

grades) still outstanding. In addition, a student must have a 3.0 grade-point average.

After successfully passing the Written Comprehensive Exam, candidate will schedule the Oral

Comprehensive Exam (proposal defense), providing a three-week notice to the Graduate School of said

exam. The doctoral candidate must be enrolled any semester in which this exam is scheduled (including

summers), and the same stipulations apply as mentioned in the above paragraph.

*Dissertation Submission to a journal Deadline, 12 Months from final defense, not graduation.

CONCLUSION

The key to success in a graduate degree program depends on your ability to manage yourself,

taking the initiative to work with your committee, anticipating hurdles as you progress throughout your

program to minimize delays, maintaining regular and open communication with committee chairs to

avoid problems and sharing your experience and knowledge with fellow students. Following these steps

will greatly enrich your graduate experience as you prepare for a career in academia.

THESIS INFORMATION

a. Thesis information: http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/current-students/etd

b. How to submit a doctoral dissertation: http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/current-

students/etd/submitdissertation

c. How to submit a master’s thesis: http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/current-

students/etd/submitthesis

d. The thesis office calendar: http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/current-

students/etd/thesisdissertationperformance-calendar

COMPONENTS OF THE CANDIDACY EXAM

The candidacy exam will be administered once a year in the Spring Semester. Students will be notified in the Fall

Semester regarding the dates of the candidacy exam. The Procedural Operations Booklet for the Candidacy Exam

will be provided to the students prior to the end of the Fall Semester.

Candidacy Exam Structure and Format

The graduate student (with advice from the chair professor) will form a committee of three graduate faculty

members, including the chair. This candidacy committee will work closely with the graduate student throughout

the candidacy process, and evaluate them on each of the candidacy exam components 1-4 (See below). Other

graduate faculty members will also evaluate the student on these components. However, the candidacy committee

will be responsible for making recommendations to the graduate faculty committee to either Pass or Fail the

graduate student.

The following candidacy exam components will be evaluated for the student.

1. Written Proposal

2. Oral Proposal Presentation

3. Statistics:

If a student earns an “A” grade, that is “A-“ or better, in both required Statistics courses, Stat 501

and Stat 502, student is excused from sitting for the Statistics question of the Candidacy Exam.

1. Written Proposal

The purpose of the written proposal is to evaluate the candidate’s ability to jump-start their research agenda. The

candidate will be expected to work independently, but under their committee’s guidance, to develop this written

proposal. The following will be the broad expectations:

a) Structure: Research purpose, questions, and hypotheses; relevant literature review, methodology,

expected results, and expected contributions and implications.

b) Format: Students must follow APA guidelines. Must be no more than 20 pages in length, double-spaced,

12-point font.

c) Proposal development: Proposal development should begin no sooner than the Spring semester preceding

the candidacy exam. Candidates will be encouraged to incorporate interdisciplinary aspects in their

proposal where appropriate. Expectations from advisors must be limited to ‘advice’.

d) Deadline: The written proposal is due no later than 1-week before the scheduled date of the oral

presentation of the candidacy exam.

2. Oral Proposal Presentation

The purpose of the oral presentation is to evaluate the candidate’s ability to present their research proposal in an

academic way. The candidate will be expected to work independently, but under their committee’s guidance, to

develop this oral presentation. Student will prepare a PowerPoint (or similar electronic) presentation of no more

than 20 minutes, followed by Q&A session.

Mentoring Committee and Grading

All students sitting for the Candidacy Exam will form a 3-member mentoring committee (one member will be the

student’s advisor) as part of the proposal component of the Candidacy Exam. The committee should be

established by the end of the fall semester. Please email Anna Mattila (asm6@psu.edu) once your committee is

established, listing the members.

1. The proposal will be graded by the Mentoring Committee. It is due to the committee no later than two

weeks prior to the Oral Exam. Prior to the oral presentation of each student, the Committee will share the

proposal experience, look at the progress the student has made, and provide feedback on strengths and

weaknesses along with any comments.

2. The Oral Exam will be graded by the Mentoring Committee (presentation of the student’s proposal). All

of the HM Graduate Faculty are encouraged to attend the oral exam to provide developmental feedback

and comments.

3. The Mentoring Committee will provide its recommendations to the graduate faculty. The final Pass/Fail

grade will be determined by the entire graduate faculty.

FINAL GRADING

A score of 80% is Passing on the component.

REPORTING OF FINAL RESULTS

On the basis of the above Grading Process, listed below are the two possible results:

a) Unconditional Pass

a) Fail and no Retake

The candidate fails the Candidacy Exam with NO retake privilege

and has to leave the Program. (See Appendix I for an explanation of

Termination).

Please remember that the HM Graduate Faculty meets to discuss the recommendations of the Mentoring

Committee. The final results are those as discussed and agreed upon by the entire HM Graduate Faculty.

As the Final Step in this process the Professor-in-Charge of the Graduate Program will relay notification. An

appeal of the decision can be filed if an advisor believes a student has extenuating circumstances.

School of Hospitality Management

Process for Changing Advisors

Upon entry to graduate program, students are assigned an advisor* to mentor

them throughout their studies and research endeavors. This assignment is based

on students’ academic interests and faculty expertise. In most instances, students

will remain with the same advisor throughout the course of their graduate

studies. In some cases, however, students may wish to change their advisors. This

decision should not be made lightly and should involve careful thought and

consideration. You are strongly encouraged to discuss the differences or reasons

for making a change. Also consider seeking advice from a neutral faculty member

(other than the current advisor) or a peer to assess whether a change in advisor

for you would be beneficial. Additional information on improving your

relationship with a mentor can be found on the graduate school website using this

link: http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/current-students/mentoring/students/

In the event that a student seeks to change advisors, the student should first

contact the existing advisor or the Professor-in-Charge of the Graduate Program

(PIC). If the student has chosen to contact the PIC first, the PIC will contact the

existing advisor personally. The PIC will also meet with the potential new advisor.

All communication between the student, the existing advisor, and the new advisor

will be facilitated by the PIC. Meetings can take place separately or involve

multiple people, as appropriate, but require the presence of the PIC. After each

meeting, the PIC will provide a written confidential summary to all parties.

In situations where it is not feasible or appropriate for the PIC to facilitate

communication (e.g., unavailability or the PIC is also serving as the existing or

proposed advisor), then the School Director or the Associate Dean for Research

and Graduate Education can serve in this role.

After all parties have met and a resolution has been reached, the internal

‘Change of Advisor Form’ should be completed and signed by the student, the

previous advisor, the new advisor, the PIC, and the Director. This form will be

retained in the student’s file. The PIC will not authorize a change of advisor until

the previous advisor acknowledges that he or she has been informed of the

change. A change of committee form must be submitted to The Graduate School

for students who are post-Candidacy who have previously formed a committee

using The Graduate School ‘Committee Appointment/Signature Form.’

*Note: For purposes of this policy, advisor may also refer to the dissertation chair

or candidacy exam chair.

Undergraduate | Graduate | Prospective Students | New

International Students Reduced Course Load Request

The Department of Homeland Security requires that international students proceed in a timely fashion

toward completion of their degrees, as established by the academic department and (usually) stated on their

initial immigration document. Failure to maintain normal progress toward completion of the degree during

this period will jeopardize the student’s ability to continue academic study, adjust status, or seek future

employment in the United States. Because of this, students should not be enrolled less than full-time during

fall or spring semester without prior approval of the University Office of Global Programs Directorate of

International Student Advising (DISA).

A graduate student is considered full-time if registered for a minimum of 9 credits, excluding courses taken

for audit, or if a Ph.D. candidate who has successfully completed all required course work and the written

and oral (defense of the dissertation proposal) components of the comprehensive examination and is

registered for HM 601. If you have NOT completed your required courses and both components of your

comprehensive exam in their entirety, the Ph.D. candidate must enroll in HM 600. If enrolled in HM 600,

the Ph.D. candidate is NOT recognized as a full-time student and must complete a Reduced Course Load

(Academic) form in the iStart system (https://istart.gp.psu.edu/). The academic adviser will be asked

through this iStart system to justify the reduced course load. The request will then be forwarded to DISA

for final approval.

On rare occasions, and under exceptional circumstances, international students in master’s degree programs

who have completed all required course work and, if applicable, research for their degree, may be granted

an exception to the need to maintain full-time status as defined above, for a limited period (in no case to

exceed two semesters), by special petition to DISA in advance of the semester in which the exception is

needed. This request must be initiated by the student using the iStart system. Under all circumstances,

international students must be enrolled--either full-time or approved by DISA for a reduced course load

Background Check Information

Recent legislation amending PA Title 23: Domestic Relations, Ch.63: Child Protective Services (passed as

HB 435) changes requirements for background checks effective December 31, 2014. Please check back

often as this site will be updated as we receive further clarification on the requirements.

9/1/15 - New Background Check Requirements

All University faculty, staff, and volunteers who are responsible for "the care supervision, guidance or

control" of or have "routine interaction" with anyone under the age of 18 must obtain the following

clearances prior to working with children, and renew them every three years:

1. Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check (SP-164)

2. Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Form (CY-113)

3. Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check (Criminal History Report)

Submission Instructions - updated 9/1/15

Resources

 Child Line Paper Form

 Child Line Clearance Waiver Form (for Units submitting in bulk)

 Printable Fingerprint Card

 Provisional Hiring Affirmation Form

 Volunteer Exemption From FBI Affirmation Form

 Request for Review of Clearances by HR Division of Recruitment and Compensation

 PSU Arrest and Conviction Self-disclosure Form

 Request for Review of FBI Fingerprint Clearance Results from the Department of

Education (DOE)

HM Ph.D. GRADUATE POLICIES:

1. All graduate students must participate in the SHM Research Mixer when offered. As

part of these series, students will begin to attend grant workshops, see attached.

2. All Ph.D. Candidates must make at least 3 conference presentations, refereed, prior to

graduation. This is in addition, or separate from, the participation at the Graduate

Exhibition, which all MS and PhD candidate must participate in at least once before

graduating.

3. Three submissions to a refereed journal are required before a PhD candidate is

allowed to sit for the final oral exam (Ph.D. final defense).

4. Once the Candidacy Exam is passed in May, a student must submit the Committee

Appointment form to the Graduate Administrative Assistant within three months (a

copy of said form is included in the Appendices). The results of the Candidacy Exam

will not be submitted to the Graduate School until the Committee Appointment form

has been submitted to the Graduate Administrative Assistant. (A copy of the Report on

Doctoral Candidacy form in included in the Appendices.

5. The majority component of a Ph.D. student’s doctoral committee must be represented

by the HM Graduate Faculty (that is a faculty member whose focus area is in HM).

6. The Ph.D. Oral Comprehensive Exam is a Defense of the student’s dissertation

proposal ONLY (stands on its own). It does not include a re-examination of the written

exam.

7. All Ph.D. Candidates are expected to teach at least one semester if available, before

graduating

8. Graduate students must attend their peer graduate student’s final defense.

9. Dissertation Publication Deadline, 12 Months from defense, not graduation.

Workshops on Grant Writing

The Graduate School is hosting a series of workshops on grant writing for advanced graduate students and

postdoctoral scholars throughout the fall semester.

An introductory workshop that assumes no prior experience with grant writing will kick off the series. This

workshop will emphasize the basic aspects of grant writing, including types and sources of funding, grant

terminology, and characteristics of proposals that have been funded.

The discipline-specific workshops are guided by principal investigators in arts and humanities, engineering,

life sciences, medical sciences, physical sciences, and qualitative and quantitative social sciences, and are

intended for individuals with some prior grant experience.

The Introductory Workshop is open to all graduate students (regardless of program) and postdoctoral

scholars and can accommodate up to 250 attendees. Students and postdoctoral scholars may attend only one

of the discipline-specific workshops as attendance is limited to 50 participants per workshop.

The Introductory Workshop will be held in the Assembly Room of the Nittany Lion Inn; all other

workshops will be in 102 Kern Graduate Building.

For questions about the workshops, contact the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School at 814-865-2516.

2017 Workshops on Grant Writing

National Science Foundation Proposals

September 27, from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

102 Kern Graduate Building

Presented by David Weiss

Private Foundations Proposals

October 4, from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

102 Kern Graduate Building

Presented by Lee Carpenter

National Institutes of Health Proposals

October 11, from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

102 Kern Graduate Building

Presented by Kent Vrana

For questions about the workshops, contact the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education

and the Dean of the Graduate School at 814-865-2516.

Materials are available in alternative media on request.

Program description January 2017

The Scholarship and Research Integrity at PSU (SARI@PSU) program was launched in fall 2009 to

provide Penn State researchers at all career stages with opportunities to identify, examine, and discuss

ethical issues relevant to their disciplines.

All scholars (whether undergraduate researchers, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research

associates, or senior investigators) confront ethical issues in their professions. Each year, thousands of

Penn State investigators and research teams conduct research and scholarly activities with integrity that

would withstand the highest levels of scrutiny. Unfortunately, however, each year some Penn State

personnel are involved in research misconduct allegations, inquiries, and investigations. Advance

discussion of core principles and possible scenarios can help inform choices frequently made under

pressure, helping to eliminate poor decisions. As a research institution, Penn State has a unique

opportunity –and a responsibility– to address these issues in a proactive and deliberate manner.

The SARI@PSU program encompasses content that is both interdisciplinary and discipline-specific,

and is composed of two parts: an online course, and an interactive, discussion-based component. The

online portion (Part 1), offered through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative at the

University of Miami (CITI Program), provides a common language and understanding of the history

and principles of the responsible conduct of research. The discussion-based component (Part 2)

provides an opportunity for in-depth exploration of important issues unique to each field of study. This

basic structure can be adapted to create an effective program for scholars at different career stages:

from undergraduate researchers, to graduate students and junior faculty, to senior scholars with years

of experience. Participation by faculty and students alike will help foster a rich environment for the

discussion and practice of scholarly integrity. The SARI@PSU requirements are summarized below:

Targeted group

Part 1:

Online

course

(CITI)

Part 2: Discussion-based

activities

Tracking mechanism

Undergraduate

researchers

yes

optional

Faculty advisor

Graduate

students

yes

5 hours before graduation

Graduate program (or

college) tracks; reports to

ORP annually

Postdoctoral

fellows

yes

optional

Faculty advisor

New full-time

faculty

optional

2 hours, plus 1 hour

continuing education

requirement every three

years

ORP, in collaboration with

faculty self-reporting and

enforcement by colleges

More details:

 Undergraduate researchers, graduate students,

and postdoctoral fellows: Faculty at PSU

should ensure that undergraduate

researchers and postdoctoral fellows under

their supervision complete a CITI

Program online course during their first

year of research. Undergraduate students

who are performing research that may

be included in, or lead to, a publication

or other research report, should

participate in SARI@PSU. Advisors should

determine if SARI requirements are

appropriate for their students, and monitor

participation by their students and

fellows. Graduate students’ participation in

required SARI program activities will be

monitored through established

departmental or graduate program

mechanisms.

The Office for Research Protections

SARI@PSU was initiated by Penn State’s Office of the Vice President for Research and the Graduate

School, and is administered by the Education Program in the Office for Research Protections

(ORP). ORP provides support to the research community through educational and administrative

services, including the administration of compliance committees, assistance with protocol

preparation and review, and offering workshops and training in the responsible conduct of

research. The ORP is located in Innovation Park, at 205 The 330 Building. More information can

be found at www.research.psu.edu/orp.

CITI PROGRAM

Access CITI Program courses via

citi.psu.edu

using your Penn State Access Account

credentials.

Answer the curriculum selection questions

to enroll in either the responsible conduct

of research (RCR) course or one of the

human subjects research (IRB) courses.

Graduate students should check with their

program to select the appropriate course.

See the note below regarding IRB courses.

More details about enrollment can be

found at the SARI@PSU Resource Portal:

www.research.psu.edu/orp/sari

You may log out and return as often as you

like to complete the course.

When you have completed the course

(with 80% or higher quiz scores), you will

receive a link to your completion report.

SPECIAL NOTE for users who also need

training for IRB approval: Only certain

CITI Program courses are accepted for IRB

purposes (but IRB training may usually be used

to fulfill SARI@PSU requirements). To avoid

taking more than one course, please check with

your IRB coordinator if you have questions.

SARI@PSU Resource Portal

The SARI@PSU website provides

information about the program, access

to CITI Program online courses, and

forms for reporting participation and

contacting SARI administrators.

www.research.psu.edu/orp/sari

Questions? We’re happy to help! sari@psu.edu

Graduate Program in Scholarship and Research Integrity

College of Health and Human Development

The Pennsylvania State University Academic Year

Commencing academic year 2009-2010, all students entering any Masters or Doctoral program in the

College of Health and Human Development (CHHD) will be required to undertake training in

Scholarship and Research Integrity (SARI). CHHD offers graduate degrees in eight programs:

Biobehavioral Health; Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health Policy and Administration;

Hospitality Management; Human Development and Family Studies; Kinesiology; Nutritional

Sciences; and Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management. In addition, the College participates in

three intercollege graduate programs: Genetics, Neuroscience, and Physiology. The SARI requirement

will be included in online descriptions of all CHHD graduate programs and described to new student

recruits during orientation. The SARI program in CHHD will couple disciplinary breadth with

maximum flexibility in order to accommodate the broad range of scholarship and student interests

found within our departments and centers. It will consist of three complementary components: 1) a

university component consisting of an online program offered through the Office of Research

Protections (ORP), 2) a CHHD component consisting of a series of interactive sessions aimed at the

timely exploration of universal issues related to the responsible conduct of research, and 3) a

departmental component consisting of approved content in discipline-specific research ethics and

integrity. Consistent with University guidelines, all students will complete a minimum of ten (10)

hours of SARI training, one-half (5 hours) of which must include the online university component

taken in the first year of graduate study. The remaining five hours may be customized and distributed

within the university-wide, college-wide or departmental offerings as determined by each student in

consultation with his or her advisor. Doctoral students must meet the entire ten-hour minimum

requirement prior to taking their candidacy examination while Master’s students must fulfill the

requirement in order to graduate.

University Component

The SARI Resource Portal (http://www.research.psu.edu/orp/sari/) offered by the Office of Research

Protections provides access to the required online training program specifically designed for Penn State

by the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI: www.citiprogram.org). Information,

teaching tools, and links to other resources to support SARI program activities are also provided. The

CITI program currently offers Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) courses in four domains: the

Biomedical Sciences, the Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Physical Sciences and Engineering, and

Humanities. Students must select at least one of these four courses (or other courses as they become

available) in accordance with their chosen field of study.

Students should forward a copy of the certificate indicating that they successfully completed a CITI

course to their graduate administrative support person for record- keeping purposes. Students may also

earn up to two hours of SARI credit from ORP sponsored RCR workshops and seminars toward the ten

hour requirement.

Health and Human Development Component

CHHD will offer three 100 minute RCR workshops per academic year, two during fall semester and a

third during the spring term. Each workshop will be in the evening, beginning with a light meal or

finger foods at 5:00 pm and then followed by an interactive, discussion-based session to run between

5:20 until 7:00 pm. Workshops will be open to all CHHD graduate students and will be announced

college-wide approximately one month prior to the scheduled date. Attendance will be recorded using

college forms specifically designed for SARI documentation. The form will specify the workshop

attended, the total hours and dates of delivery of delivery and the signatures of student and course

instructor to verify delivery and attendance.

The college component of the SARI program will focus on more universal issues related to ethical

scholarship and the responsible pursuit of research irrespective of discipline. A non-comprehensive

list of potential topics is provided below.

 Acquisition, management, sharing, and ownership of data

 Publication practices and responsible authorship

 Conflict of interest and commitment

 Research misconduct

 Peer review

 Mentor/trainee responsibilities

 Collaborative science

 Human subjects protections

 Animal welfare



Workshops will be delivered by instructors trained by ORP staff in the effective delivery of RCR

educational materials. Two to three trained instructors will direct each workshop. The typical format

will include short introductory lectures and/or case study presentations with heavy doses of Socratic

questioning, explorative breakout sessions either with the entire class, in small groups or in pairs and

a final closing session to summarize findings and opinions.

CODE OF CONDUCT, Judicial Affairs

The Code of Conduct describes behaviors that are inconsistent with the essential values of the University

community. Intentionally attempting or assisting in these behaviors may be considered as serious as engaging in

the behavior. A person commits an attempt when, with intent to commit a specific violation of the Code of

Conduct, he/she performs any act that constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of that violation.

Many Code items are supported by University Policy Statements. The Code of Conduct Charge Codes can be

found within the Judicial Affairs Reference and Training Manual at http://www.sa.psu.edu/ja. The Code of

Conduct behaviors include, but are not limited to:

1. ABUSE/ENDANGERMENT/HAZING OF A PERSON: Physically harming or threatening to harm any person,

intentionally or recklessly causing harm to any person or reasonable apprehension of such harm or creating a

condition that endangers the health and safety of self or others, including through the facilitation of or participation

in any mental or physical hazing activity (also see Policy Statement 8).

2. SEXUAL MISCONDUCT OR ABUSE: The University does not tolerate sexual misconduct or abuse, such as

sexual assault, rape (including acquaintance rape) or other forms of nonconsensual sexual activity. Sexual

misconduct and abuse can occur between acquaintances or parties unknown to each other. Sexual abuse is

attempted or actual unwanted sexual activity, such as sexual touching and fondling. This includes the touching of

an unwilling person’s intimate parts (defined as genitalia, groin, breast or buttock, or clothing covering them), or

forcing an unwilling person to touch another’s intimate parts. Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to,

sexual assault, rape, forcible sodomy or sexual penetration with an inanimate object, intercourse without consent,

under conditions of force, threat of force, fear or when a person is unable to give consent because of substance

abuse, captivity, sleep or disability (also see Policy AD-12).

3. HARASSMENT CREATING HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT AND HARASSMENT, OR STALKING OF ANY

PERSON: Harassment creating a hostile environment is a violation of University policy. Such harassment is a

form of discrimination consisting of physical or verbal conduct that (a) is directed at an individual because of the

individual’s age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual

orientation, gender identity or veteran status; and (b) is sufficiently severe or pervasive so as to substantially

interfere with the individual’s employment, education or access to University programs, activities and

opportunities.

To constitute harassment creating a hostile environment, the conduct must be such that it detrimentally affects the

individual in question and would also detrimentally affect a reasonable person under the same circumstances.

This harassment may include, but is not limited to, verbal or physical attacks, threats, slurs, or derogatory

comments or threats of such conduct, that meet the definition set forth above. Whether the alleged conduct

constitutes prohibited harassment depends on the totality of the particular circumstances, including the nature,

frequency and duration of the conduct in question, the location and context in which it occurs and the status of the

individuals involved.

General harassment, stalking of any person is a violation of University policy. A person violates this section when,

with intent to harass or alarm another, the person (a) subjects the other person or group of persons to unwanted

physical contact or the threat of such contact; or (b) engages in a course of conduct, including following the

person without proper authority, under circumstances which demonstrate intent to place the other person in

reasonable fear of bodily injury or to cause the other person substantial emotional distress (also see Policy

Statement 7, and Policies AD-41 and AD-42).

4. WEAPONS, FIREARMS, AND PAINTBALL DEVICES: The possession, storing, carrying, or use of any

weapon, ammunition, or explosive by any person is prohibited on all University property except by authorized law

enforcement officers and other persons specifically authorized by the University. No person shall possess, carry,

or use any fireworks on University property, except for those persons authorized by University and local

governments to discharge such fireworks as part of a public display. Paintball guns and paintball markers may

only be used on the property of the University in connection with authorized University activities and only at

approved locations.

5. FIRE SAFETY VIOLATIONS: Tampering with fire or other safety equipment or setting unauthorized fires.

6. ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS: Illegally possessing, using, distributing, manufacturing, selling or being under

the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Use, possession or distribution of beverages containing alcohol on

University property shall comply with the laws of the Commonwealth of PA and University Policies and Rules.

Note: Anyone, including those under 21, serving alcohol to persons under 21 is in violation of both University

regulations and state law. Also, simply being present in a residence hall room where a quantity of alcoholic

beverages is present and/or being served implies possession. Public drunkenness occurs when a person appears

in public when intoxicated to the degree that the person may endanger himself or other persons or property, or

annoy persons in the vicinity. (also see Policies AD-18 and AD-33 and “Policy Statement on Beverages

Containing Alcohol” in Policies and Rules).

7. FALSE INFORMATION: Intentionally providing false or inaccurate information or records to University officials

or employees. Providing a false report of an emergency or University rule or Code violation. Knowingly providing

false statements or testimony during a University investigation or proceeding.

8. THEFT AND OTHER PROPERTY OFFENSES: Stealing, vandalizing, damaging, destroying, or defacing

University property or the property of others.

9. DISRUPTION OF OPERATIONS: Obstruction or disruption of classes, research projects, or other activities or

programs of the University; or obstructing access to University facilities, property, or programs. Disruption is

defined as an action or combination of actions by one or more individuals that unreasonably interferes with,

hinders, obstructs, or prevents the operation of the University or infringes on the rights of others to freely

participate in its programs and services (also see Policy Statement 1).

10. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and

responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania

State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this

principle. Consistent with this expectation, students should act with personal integrity, respect other students'

dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the

fruits of their efforts. Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification,

misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the

University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information or citations,

facilitation of acts of academic dishonesty by others, unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of

another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, and tampering with the academic work of

other students (also see Faculty Senate Policy 49-20 and G-9 Procedures).

11. FAILURE TO COMPLY: Failing to comply with reasonable directives from University officials when directed to

do so. Failure to provide identification or to report to an administrative office or, when reasonable cause exists,

failing to leave University-controlled premises or dangerous situations when directed to do so by properly

authorized persons, including police and/or other University staff. This charge may be added to other charges,

e.g., when a student fails to leave a residence hall during a fire drill and refuses to leave when directed to do so

by a University official.

12. FORGERY/ALTERATION: Making, using or possessing any falsified University document or record; altering

or forging any University document or record, including identification, meal or access cards. This includes but is

not limited to; forging (signing another’s name and/or ID number) or mis-signing key request forms, manufacturing

IDs or tickets, altering permits, misuse of forms (letterhead stationery, University forms), and keys to mislead.

13. UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY OR USE: Unauthorized entry into or use of property facilities or University facilities

including residence halls, classrooms, offices, and other restricted facilities. Unauthorized entry or use of facilities

is referred to in University policy regarding the rights of individuals and the rights of the institution. Specifically,

policy refers to an “obligation not to infringe upon the rights of all members of the campus to privacy in offices,

laboratories and residence hall rooms, and in the keeping of personal papers, confidential records and effects,

subject only to the general law and University regulations.” The University also has the right to control use and

entry into facilities for reasons of security, safety or protection of property. This includes closing facilities at

specified times. It should also be recognized that an open or unlocked door is not an invitation to enter and use

facilities. The same concept applies to computer entry or misuse.

14. DISORDERLY CONDUCT: Engaging in disorderly, disruptive, lewd or indecent conduct. The item includes

but is not limited to: inciting or participating in a riot or group disruption; failing to leave the scene of a riot or group

disruption when instructed by officials; disruption of programs, classroom activities or functions and processes of

the University; creating unreasonable noise; or creating a physically hazardous or physically offensive condition.

15. VIOLATIONS OF UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS: Violating written University policy or regulations contained

in any official publications or administrative announcements, including University Computer policies. University

policies and regulations are contained in official publications, administrative announcements, contracts and

postings (also see Policy AD-20 and Policy Statement 4).

16. VIOLATION OF LAW: Students are members of the campus, local and state communities. As citizens,

students are responsible to the community of which they are a part, and the University neither substitutes for, nor

interferes with the regular legal or criminal process. Students are also responsible for offenses against the

academic community and in some instances student conduct that violates federal, state, or local law may affect a

Substantial University Interest on the University community. Because the University expects students to conduct

themselves in accordance with the law, student misconduct that occurs on or off the premises of the University

that violates any local, state, or federal law will be reviewed by the University. Criminal or civil decision is not a

necessary prerequisite for a disciplinary decision nor is it necessary that criminal or civil charges be lodged

against the student either before or after a University decision. Therefore, action taken in a civil or criminal court

does not free the student of responsibility for the same conduct in a University proceeding.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism is the act of stating or implying that another person's work is your own. You

commit plagiarism if you:

a. Submit a paper to be graded or reviewed that you have not written on your own.

b. Copy answers or text from another classmate and submit it as your own.

c. Quote or paraphrase from another paper without crediting the original author.

d. Cite data without crediting the original source.

e. Propose another author's idea as if it were your own.

f. Fabricating references or using incorrect references.

g. Submitting someone else's presentation, program, spreadsheet, or other file with only

minor alterations.

This is not a definitive list - any action in which misleadingly imply someone else's work is

not your own can constitute plagiarism.

Sometimes the boundaries can be ambiguous, but read the OWL Avoiding Plagiarism Web

site for a good discussion on the boundary between using other people's research and

plagiarism.

APPENDICES

Guidelines for Advisor – Graduate Student Interactions

Effective advising, open communication, and ethical professional conduct are

essential for a high quality graduate education and research environment.

Effective research advising must be based on a commitment to provide every

student access to supportive guidance on a range of professional, ethical and

collegial issues. A productive research mentorship requires that students are

treated respectfully and fairly, and that the research advisor serves as a role

model-upholding the highest ethical and professional standards. These guidelines

embody many of the best practices used by the majority of our faculty here and

elsewhere. They are intended to provide a heightened awareness of the need to

consciously establish an effective and productive advisor-student relationship

that starts with trust, courtesy, two-way communications, and shared

expectations.

Faculty Research Advisor should:

 Promote an environment that is intellectually stimulating, and free of harassment;

 Be supportive, equitable, accessible, encouraging, and respectful;

 Recognize and respect the cultural backgrounds of students;

 Be sensitive to the power imbalance in the student-advisor relationship;

 Avoid assigning duties or activities that are outside students’

academic/professional responsibilities

 Respect students’ needs to allocate their time among competing demands, while

maintaining timely progress towards their degree;

 Advise graduate students on the selections of appropriate course work, an

appropriate thesis topic and assist them in selecting a thesis committee;

 Set clear expectations and goals for students regarding their academic

performance and research progress;

 Discuss policies and expectations for work hours, vacation time and health

contingencies;

 Meet regularly and often with students to provide feedback on research activities

and progress;

 Provide students with training and oversight in all relevant aspects of research,

including the design of research projects, the development of necessary skills, and

the use of rigorous research techniques;

 Avoid placing pressure on students to produce results that support particular

hypotheses;

 Devise effective ways of providing students with guidance and supervision during

their prolonged absence;

 Provide and discuss clear criteria for authorship at the beginning of all

collaborative projects;

 Encourage participation in professional meetings and try to secure funding for

such activities;

 Provide career advice, offer help with interview and application preparation, and

write letters of recommendation in a timely manner;

 Ensure students receive training in the skills needed for a successful career in their

discipline, including oral and written communication and grant preparation as

appropriate;

 Acknowledge that some students will pursue careers outside of academia and/or

outside their research discipline, and assist them in achieving their chosen career

goals;

 Schedule meetings to discuss topics other than research, such as professional

development, career objectives and opportunities, climate, laboratory personnel

relations, etc;

 Be a role model by acting in an ethical, professional, and courteous manner toward

other students, staff, and faculty

Graduate Students should:

 Recognize that they bear the primary responsibility for the successful completion

of their degree;

 Exercise the highest ethical standards in all aspects of their research (including but

not limited to collection, storage, analysis, and communication of research data);

 Complete all tasks assigned by the department, including teaching, grading and

other assistantship responsibilities;

 Know the policies governing graduate studies in the department and the graduate

school and take responsibility for meeting departmental and graduate school

deadlines;

 Be proactive about communicating with your advisor and thesis committee,

understanding that communication is a two-way endeavor;

 Be considerate of other time constraints imposed on faculty and staff, including

competing demands;

 Take an active role in identifying and pursuing professional development

opportunities;

 Clearly communicate with their advisor(s) regarding their career preferences;

 Be proactive about improving their research skills, including written and oral

presentation skills;

 Inform faculty advisor of potential and /or existing conflicts and work toward their

resolution;

 Seek mentoring and support resources beyond their faculty advisor(s), including

other faculty members, peers, and organizations;

 Obtain outside help from ombudsmen, graduate chairs, or other faculty if conflicts

arise with their advisor

 Be aware that if they feel compelled to change advisors or research direction, they

have options and should consult with their advisor, other mentors, or department

officers;

 Always act in an ethical, professional, and courteous manner toward other

students, staff, and faculty.

At the conclusion of a graduate assistant's assigned semester duties, assistants

are not required to continue working on unfinished projects for either graduate or

fixed-term faculty. The choice to continue working on a project with a faculty

member after the last day of the assigned semester is that of the student; it is

recommended that faculty clarify any expectations of when a project may or may

not be concluded with assistants at the start of their assignment.

Graduate students are not obligated to participate on research or other projects

for faculty or faculty advisers that are above or beyond the 20 hours of university

allocated assistantships. Graduate students may decline invitations to participate

in research or other projects with faculty to whom they are not assigned semester

hours without concern for reprisal.

Departments and Programs will:

 Provide students with up-to-date information that includes policies, practices,

degree requirements, and resources

 Assist students with selection of their advisor as needed, and provide students with

contacts and resources for potential conflict resolution (e.g. ombudsperson,

director of graduate studies, department head);

 Provide pedagogical training and regular assessment of their teaching and other

assistantship activities;

 Monitor graduate student progress towards their degrees and professional

development, including mentoring meetings, committee meetings, exam

completions and other benchmarks appropriate to their discipline;

 Provide and monitor training in the ethical conduct of research;

 Provide appropriate infrastructure to allow students to complete their education

and research in a timely and productive manner;

 Provide opportunities for professional development that will be relevant to

students seeking careers outside academia and/or their research discipline;

 Establish and communicate policies for emergencies and unplanned situations that

may disrupt the work of students and/or faculty;

 Incorporate these guidelines and recommendations in their departmental policies

or handbooks and actively promote their observance.

We have met and discussed these guidelines

(Faculty Research Advisor) (Graduate Student)

HM Graduate Student Assessment Review &

Assistantship Assessment Form

Graduate Student Assessment Review with Advisor/Chair

Name of

Student:___________________________________Advisor/Chair:______________________

Date of Student Assessment/Review:________________

Evaluation of Student’s Progress:

Superior

Satisfactory

Unsatisfactory

Not Applicable

Thesis Research

Academic Progress

Cumulative GPA:_________________

Comments:

Advisor/Chair

Signature:______________________________

I agree_________ disagree_________ with the student evaluation/review.

Student

Signature:____________________________________

Graduate Student’s Assistantship Assessment:

Faculty Member is Assigned:____________________________________________

Assignment and type of Duties:__________________________________________

Additional Comments:_________________________________________________

Excellent

Very Good

Adequate

Poor

Performance Rating

In Summary, are you satisfied with this student’s progress this semester?

YES_________ NO_________ Explain_________________________________

________________________________________

Assistantship Advisor Signature

I agree_________ disagree_________ with this assistantship evaluation.

_______________________________________

Student Signature

POLICY AD42 Statement on Nondiscrimination and Harassment

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to

programs, facilities, admission and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to

ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal

authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of

discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and

harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin,

race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. Discrimination or

harassment against faculty, staff or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University.

Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The

Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park PA 16802-5901; Tel (814) 863-

0471.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY 49-20

Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner.

Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State

University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this

principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University's Code of Conduct states that all students

should act with personal integrity, respect other students' dignity, rights and property, and help create

and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.

Academic integrity includes a commitment by all members of the University community not to engage

in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the

fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work

completed by others.

Termination Guidelines

When a program head, program committee, or, in the case of a doctoral student, the doctoral

committee determines that the program of a graduate student must be terminated for

unsatisfactory scholarship, the student must be given advance notice, in writing, which in general

terms shall advise the student of the reasons for the termination. Examples of unsatisfactory

scholarship may include, but are not limited to, failure to exhibit and promote the highest ethical,

moral, and professional standards; inadequate grade-point average; failure to obtain satisfactory

grades in required courses for the program; failure to make satisfactory progress in research or

other activities related to the culminating experience; or failing the candidacy, comprehensive, or

final oral examination for doctoral students. Upon receipt of this notice, the student has the

opportunity to seek a review of the decision. If the student desires such a review, the student

must, within ten days of receipt of the notice, submit a written appeal to the program head.

 If the student alleges that discrimination either was the reason for the termination or

caused the unsatisfactory scholarship, and the discrimination or harassment was committed

by an individual in a role of authority, such as an administrator, faculty member, instructor,

teaching assistant, or research assistant, the matter shall be referred to the Affirmative

Action Office of the University, established to review such claims. If the Affirmative Action

Office determines that the student's allegation has merit, the Affirmative Action Office will

manage the investigation and report back to the program head and any other University

office as appropriate. If the Affirmative Action Office determines that the student's

allegation is unfounded, the program head then provides an opportunity for the student to

meet with him/her and, if applicable, the program committee, doctoral committee, or other

faculty involved in the decision to terminate the student's program.

If there is no allegation of discrimination within the written appeal, then the program head provides

an opportunity for the student to meet with the faculty member(s) who made the decision to

terminate the student's program. This meeting must be held within 30 days of receipt of the

student's written appeal. (Under extraordinary circumstances, either party may request a stay to

the 30-day time limit. A request for such a stay must include a justification and indicate the desired

duration of the stay, and be directed to the Dean of the Graduate School, whose decision on the

stay will be final.)

Formal rules of evidence are not applicable to the meeting, and attorneys are not permitted to

represent any person attending the meeting. If the student's faculty adviser would not otherwise

be present (i.e., was not involved in the decision to terminate), the adviser should be permitted to

attend this meeting if requested by the student or program head, or if the adviser wishes to do so.

The program head is responsible for ensuring that minutes of the meeting are taken and copies

distributed to all those in attendance.

Following this meeting, the program head must notify the student within five days, in writing,

whether the termination decision has been sustained or reversed. If it is sustained, the program

head shall notify the Dean of the Graduate School. If the termination is based upon failure to

exhibit and promote the highest ethical, moral, and professional standards expected of graduate

students, the Graduate School may also make a determination to dismiss the student from

continued or future enrollment in any graduate program at the University. If the Graduate School

dismisses the student from continued or future enrollment in any graduate program at the

University, notification of that decision will be given to the student within this time frame as well.

Within five days of receiving this notice of termination for unsatisfactory scholarship, the student

may make a written request to the Dean of the Graduate School for a further review of the

decision. The student is permitted to submit additional information or statements in writing.

PENN STATE CAMPUS INFORMATION LINKS:

Visitor’s Guide:

http://www.psu.edu/visitors-and-neighbors

The Graduate School:

http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/prospective-students

Account Services, ITS:

https://its.psu.edu/accounts.html

Global Programs:

http://global.psu.edu

Portal:

https://portal.psu.edu

University Health Services:

http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health

The Pennsylvania State University SHM 201 215 Graduate Student Handbook

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