Our Commitment

Our Values

The IGC at Penn State is committed to belonging, accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek to uphold the Penn State Values in our actions and decisions as members of the Penn State community:


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.

Our Code of Conduct

Everyone in the IGC is expected to help create a community in which all participants are valued, treated with respect and dignity; to help foster learning for all participants; and, in all matters, to act responsibly, ethically, and with integrity.

Expected Behaviors

  • Treat every member of the community with respect and dignity under all circumstances.

  • Engage fully in all group and individual learning activities.

  • Be mindful of ecosystems and fragile environments in field settings and use research and campus facilities responsibly.

  • If you see something, say something. Tell the directors or instructors at once if you witness or experience behavior resulting in a dangerous or distressing situation.

  • Be aware of cultural differences and implicit biases in your interactions with others.

  • Discussions involving scientific criticism should focus on ideas, not individuals.

  • In all matters, act with integrity and uphold the highest research, professional, and ethical standards.


Examples of Unacceptable Behaviors

  • Bullying behaviors of any kind. These are repeated and deliberate verbal, physical and social behaviors that are intended to cause physical, social, or psychological harm.

  • Unwelcome physical contact, lewd remarks, or inappropriate use of sexual images or language that would be deemed offensive to a reasonable person.

  • Excessive consumption of alcohol or other behavior-altering substances.

  • Intentional fabrication or omission of data or observations, or any misrepresentation of the ideas, words, or work of others as your own.

  • Actions or willful negligence that result in damage to natural environments, to residential and public spaces, or to research and educational facilities.

  • Discrimination related to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, physical appearance, age, socio-economic status, veteran status, race, creed, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, first language, or marital/domestic partnership status.

Reporting

If you experience or witness behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public safety, contact 911 (in the US), or 112 for emergencies / 118 for medical emergencies (in Italy), and inform the directors or instructors at once.

Participants who witness or are subject to violations of our Code of Conduct or unacceptable behaviors that don’t immediately threaten safety are encouraged, if possible, to discuss concerns directly with the individual(s) involved.

Participants are asked to report unacceptable behaviors that are violations of our Code of Conduct to the course directors or to senior course instructors, who will attempt to facilitate resolution of the situation and address concerns, and can provide additional resources and support for those involved. In some cases, individuals may wish to email concerns to a neutral party (TBD).

Penn State employees must report any wrongdoing, misconduct, or violations required by University policies and federal, state, and local laws. Information on these requirements, and on how or where to report is available at http://reporting.psu.edu, at the Office of Ethics and Compliance (814-867-5088), or via the Penn State Hotline (1-800-560-1637 or http://hotline.psu.edu).

Consequences for Violations

Anyone requested by the course directors and instructors to stop a behavior that is deemed unacceptable is expected to comply immediately. IGC directors (or their designee) may take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the course without warning or refund.