Penn State Office of Judicial Affairs

What is Cyber-Stalking?

2010-01-19T09:47:00.002-05:00

In recent years, new methods of stalking have popped up due to increases in technology. This has led to new threat to law enforcement officials known as cyber stalking. This is use of information and communications technology, particularly the Internet, to harass an individual, group of individuals, or organization. The behavior can include false accusations, monitoring, the transmission of threats, identity theft, damage to data or equipment, the solicitation of minors for sexual purposes, and gathering information for harassment purposes. Doesn’t sound fun, does it?

How many of us have a Facebook or Twitter page that we update religiously? Our aim is to keep our friends up to date on what’s going on with us. But in doing so, we give people the perfect resource to be able to find us at any moment. I realize this sounds a little paranoid – who is really going to take the time to check my Facebook status so they can find me? But if someone is intent on it, it just gives them better access. And if we think about a person who would be considered a back at the definition… he or she would be pretty intent.

Here’s an even more paranoid one for you, and it’s real… Did you know that most cell phones have GPS locaters in them? And that that locater can be accessed? So that tiny device that is permanently attached to our ears and thumbs can allow people to find you who you would prefer could not.

So next time you go to update that status – think before you type. How much do you really need the world to know about where you are?

Until next time… For the Glory, Know the Code!

Drugs are not mixers...

2010-01-13T14:42:00.001-05:00

Did you know that the government ranks alcohol-drug combinations as the leading cause of drug related deaths in the United States? How about that the overwhelming majority of all poisonings and overdoses that take place each year are accidents? This means that most of those people who die from a drug overdose didn’t intend to cause serious damage. They were just unaware of the consequences of mixing alcohol with drugs.

These statistics are frightening, but real. They are also all too common. Even now you might be thinking, “Well that won’t happen to me because I don’t do drugs.” Please don’t think that these horrible scenarios are only caused by mixing alcohol with recreational drugs. Even those over the counter drugs you might take for a headache or cold can cause serious repercussions. Read the labels. Many of them say on the box that they should not be taken with alcohol. That’s there for a reason.

Mixing any drug with alcohol has consequences that could be dangerous. If you take antidepressants or stimulants and then drink alcohol, you’re giving your body mixed messages. The drugs are fighting within your body for dominance. No matter which one wins, you lose in the end.

On a related note, be aware that prescription medications are only legal to take when your name is on the prescription bottle. Using someone else’s medication is never ok, and never safe.

So be more cognizant about what you’re putting in your body. And maybe when you’re not feeling well enough to drink, your body’s trying to tell you something. The question is- Are you listening?

Until next time, “For the Glory: Know the Code.”

Because you got high...

2009-11-09T10:43:00.002-05:00

There was a song a few years ago that was quite a hit. It went something like this. “I was gonna go to class before I got high. I coulda cheated and I coulda passed but I got high. Now I am taking it next semester and I know why. Because I got high, because I got high, because I got high…”

I am quite certain that you do not want this to be the story of your college career. Let’s forget for a second the amount of brain cells that you kill when you toke up. Possession of marijuana is a violation of the Code of Conduct for students at Penn State. If you are found using or possessing the drug, you place your future here in jeopardy. Consequences range from disciplinary probation for minor offenses to expulsion for major ones. And that’s just at the University level. You’ll also be facing charges in the court, and could be looking at more serious consequences down the line.

In addition, please note that the fastest way to get you expelled from school is to be caught selling or dealing drugs of any kind on campus. We don’t ask you to make smart decisions to make our lives easier – we’re looking out for you.

Until next time… For the Glory, Know the Code.

Go State! Beat Bad Game Day Decisions!

2009-11-02T13:11:00.003-05:00

By now most of you have experienced one. If not, you have undoubtedly seen one on TV. At the very least you should have heard about one. A Penn State Football Saturday is considered by some to be the most wonderful of all days, a day when, with any luck, our team prevails over a tough opponent. It is, of course, a day for fun and celebration. But, is it really a day to lose all self control, make poor decisions, and do things you will later regret?

Everyone knows that it’s great fun to tailgate before the games. However, with so much to see and do before the game you need to pace yourself. You do want to SEE the game, right? If you make poor decisions regarding alcohol consumption, you may never know whether Penn State clinches a victory! And let us not forget that if you are under the age of 21, it is a violation of the law and the Code of Conduct to consume alcohol at a tailgate or anywhere else, for that matter. Wouldn’t an underage drinking violation just spoil all your fun?

When you’re at a game at Beaver Stadium, it’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement. We’re not ranked the “#1 Student Section” and the “#3 Hardest Stadium to Play In” for nothing. It’s perfectly ok to cheer and yell, to sing and jump. But there’s no need to accost fellow fans at any point. Whether they’re cheering for us or the other team, they’ve come to Happy Valley to enjoy the game - just like you! It’s ok to jest in fun, but keep it there. Don’t let your passion for your team turn into something else. And just a reminder, it is never ok to boo your own team – you won’t get in trouble for it, it’s just in bad taste. When you’re in the stands, decked out in Blue and White, and on national TV, you’re representing our school. Let’s make sure we give people the right impression. Go State!

Until next time “For the Glory”- Know the Code

Academic Integrity: What does it really mean?

2009-10-28T09:37:00.002-04:00

As we creep dangerously closer to the end of the semester, let’s stop for a moment and think about academic decisions that you will be making. Penn State takes violations of academic integrity very seriously, and therefore so should you. To make sure we’re all on the same page, here are some examples that may not appear at first glance to be violations of University policy, but in fact – are.

You realize that the topic for the final paper in one of your classes is very similar to a paper that you wrote in high school. With not a lot of time left, you decide to simply hand that paper in after making a few minor changes. VIOLATION: You’ve just plagiarized yourself. You can’t turn in work that has been previously submitted for another class without first talking to that professor.

Your roommate took the class that you are currently taking in a previous semester. She still has all her old tests from that class and offers them to you to help you study, saying she’s heard the professor uses the same tests every semester. You take them, thinking what a great help that is. VIOLATION: Possessing exam materials is against the code of conduct.

And many more… Just think carefully about what you do in these last few weeks. A mistake now could cost you all you’ve worked so hard this semester to achieve.

Until next time… For the Glory – Know the Code!

Acting Accordingly – Not Only an On-Campus Requirement

2009-09-29T09:06:00.002-04:00

By now, you have most likely heard about the Code of Conduct, and maybe you have taken the quiz online (www.sa.psu.edu/ja). But - did you know that the Code of Conduct not only applies to student behavior on campus, but also to your behavior off-campus? If you engage in a behavior that violates the code, even if you are off-campus, you may be subject to disciplinary action.

If the Office of Judicial Affairs receives a report that a student has violated a local, state, or federal law, or a complaint from others that alleges a student has done so, the incident will be reviewed by a staff member. If it is determined that this violation is also a violation of the Code of Conduct, disciplinary action may be taken against the student.

It is important to remember who you are and who you are representing. Your behavior both on campus and off is a reflection of the school you attend. Just because you cross over College Avenue or are visiting a student off-campus, this does not mean you are still not a Penn State Student. Keep in mind that important line from the Alma Mater- ‘may no act of ours bring shame’- and always think before you make decisions.

Until next time- “For the Glory - Know the Code”.

One more thing...

2009-09-16T08:56:00.004-04:00

Since you're reading this, and learning about PSU and the Code of Conduct, why not take a shot at winning some prizes!

Check out our Know the Code Quiz!

Computers – What Constitutes Misuse?

2009-09-16T08:08:00.001-04:00

In this age of modern technology, most of us would be lost without our computers. We use them at home, in class, and beyond. More importantly, within them, we keep all our most important stuff. Music, movies, papers, and pictures are just a few examples. Do you really want to share all that information with whoever wants to look for it?

Everyone is aware that there are both legal and illegal programs out there for downloading music and videos. You can find a song you like on iTunes, Napster, or Rhapsody, pay $0.99 for it and it’s yours. There are other programs out there, like Limewire, where you can search for a song or movie you like, and download it for free from someone else’s collection. Sounds like a great plan, right? Not so much. This download of files is illegal under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. No matter how much better it seems to download it that way, just don’t do it.

But one thing you may not know is that the penalties for downloading files aren’t nearly as intense as what you can be given for sharing files. This is the uploading of your files that other people do. When you use a program like Limewire it opens up the files you have on your computer for other people to view and then take. And if a person is savvy, they can not only find your music and movies, but also your confidential files you don’t want people seeing. While there are steps you can take to block this material from others’ view, the default setting makes it open to everyone. Even if you don’t set out to share files, it can happen. And the fines you could get hit with aren’t pretty.

My advice? Suck it up and pay the $0.99 per download. It’s a lot cheaper in the long run than the $8000 lawsuit you could get hit with down the line.

Until next time, “For the Glory” - Know the Code.

Alcohol 101

2009-09-08T13:38:00.001-04:00

As you have most likely heard by now- if you are under the age of 21, it is against state and federal laws for you to consume alcohol. It is also against University regulations listed in the Code of Conduct. During your time at Penn State you may find yourself in a situation where you have to make the decision of whether or not to consume alcohol. With that said, let’s take a minute to think about what could happen if you are caught drinking underage.

Since drinking under the age of 21 is a violation of the Code of Conduct, if you are caught you will be referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs. You will meet with a staff member in a disciplinary conference during which you may be charged and sanctioned for violating the Code. If this is your first offense, you can expect the sanctions to range from a Disciplinary Warning to Disciplinary Probation, along with the completion of an alcohol education program. However, it is important to keep in mind that the seriousness of the incident, as well as your prior discipline history also factor into your sanction(s). So, before you reach for that beer or mixed drink, remember that there are consequences for drinking until you turn 21.

In addition to drinking underage, there are other alcohol related offenses listed in the Code. When you hit your 21st birthday, it doesn’t give you carte blanche to drink whenever and wherever you like. There are certain places, both on and off campus, where you are and are not allowed to drink. There are also items in the Code regarding excessive consumption of alcohol and driving under the influence. Know your limits, and know when not to get behind the wheel of a car. It’s your health, the safety of you and the other members of our community, and it just makes good sense. Finally, it is against the Code and the law to provide alcohol for someone who is not 21. No matter how much your underage friends may beg, if you buy it for them or serve it to them at a party, you could be facing some serious consequences yourself!

To learn more about the University’s alcohol policy, visit our website www.sa.psu.edu/ja and read up on the Code. Until next time, “For the Glory”- Know the Code.

Who "We Are"

2009-08-17T14:02:00.001-04:00

When students hear the words “Office of Judicial Affairs,” they may immediately think “that is the place you go when you get in trouble.” While there may be some truth to this, those of us here at JA like to think that what our office really does is provide students an opportunity to learn from their mistakes. We think of our interactions with students as an extension of your education here at Penn State. True, you may only enter the doors of 135 Boucke after getting caught doing something you probably shouldn’t have done. That doesn’t mean that what happens once you’re inside has to be negative.

Our office is responsible for holding students accountable for their behavior. The Code of Conduct is a list of behaviors you should avoid while you are here at Dear Old State. If you haven’t already read up on this, it is available on our website, www.sa.psu.edu/ja. While you’re there, take the “Know the Code” Quiz for a chance to win cool prizes.

Very important, but not as well known, our office also provides services to students who are the victims of other another student’s misconduct. If you ever find yourself in a position where something has happened to you or you want to hold someone else accountable for their actions, you can meet with a Judicial Affairs staff member. They can help you do so, and also point you in the direction of others who can help you.

If you have questions for us, stop in to 135 Boucke or drop us an email at AskJA@psu.edu. Remember to enjoy your time here at PSU, but enjoy it responsibly. The words (the real ones) to our alma mater include “May no act of ours bring shame.” Think of these words before you make a decision.

Until next time “For the Glory” – Know the Code.