AD103 Visitor Rights and Responsibilities

CONTENTS

• Purpose
• Scope
• Definitions
• Visitor Rights and Responsibilities
• Cross References 

PURPOSE

The Pennsylvania State University aspires to having campuses that welcome all Visitors as members of the University community, which respects and protects the rights of all and embraces the Penn State values of integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence, and community.  The University strives to bring together people from many different backgrounds to share in our community and learning experiences and to further the University’s mission of excellence in teaching, research, and service.

The purpose of this policy is to set forth expectations of conduct for all Visitors to Penn State, and to outline the rights and responsibilities of Visitors to University premises. 

SCOPE

This policy applies to all Visitors to

University premises.  Visitors are subject to federal and state laws, local ordinances, and any applicable policies, procedures, and rules of the University.  University policies can be found at https://policies.psu.edu/. 

Nothing in this policy shall be construed to impair or restrict any right or activity, including speech, protest, or assembly, which is protected by the U.S. Constitution.  Further, nothing in this policy shall be interpreted as restricting or impairing the University’s obligations under federal law including, but not limited to, Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 as addressed through its non-discrimination and Title IX policies.

DEFINITIONS

“University premises” refers to buildings or grounds that are owned, leased, operated, controlled, supervised, or otherwise used by the University.  It also includes online platforms that are owned, leased, operated, controlled, supervised, or otherwise used by the University.

“Visitor” refers to any person who is not a student, staff, or faculty member of the University and who is on University premises.

VISITOR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Penn State anticipates that all Visitors will engage respectfully with the University community, behave in a responsible manner, and strive to uphold the Penn State values of integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence, and community. 

Visitors to the University enjoy certain rights and also bear certain responsibilities while on University premises:

• Visitors have the right to freedom of speech, assembly, advocacy, and inquiry.
• Visitors have the responsibility to exercise their rights in a manner that complies with federal and state laws, local ordinances, and any applicable policies, procedures, and rules of the University.
• Visitors have the responsibility to refrain from behaviors that interfere with or disrupt University activities and programs.
• Visitors have the responsibility to respect the direction of University Police and Public Safety (UPPS) and authorized University personnel and adhere to any lawful orders or directives of the same.

At all times, Visitors have the responsibility to behave in a manner that complies with federal and state laws, local ordinances, and any applicable policies, procedures, and rules of the University. Further, Visitors must not create an 'incitement to riot' incident as defined by State or Federal law. 

Visitors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with University policies (https://policies.psu.edu/) before visiting.  Violation of this policy may result in enforcement of AD104 Trespass Warning Policy.

CROSS REFERENCES

AD78 Threats to Campus Safety

AD88 Code of Responsible Conduct 

AD91 Discrimination and Harassment and Related Inappropriate Conduct

AD92 Political Campaign Activities

AD104 Trespass Warning Policy

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Revision History (and effective dates):

• October 3, 2023 - New policy.