I. Official Communications

The official method of communication between Penn GSE students and faculty, program staff, and GSE administration is the student’s Penn-issued email address. It is the student‘s responsibility to remain informed of critical updates—from the University, from GSE, and from their specific program—through active monitoring of their Penn email. Penn GSE cannot guarantee transmission of important communications via personal email addresses, phone numbers, or other methods of communication outside of Penn email. 

II. Equal Opportunity and Harassment Policies

People are GSE’s most important resource. We are committed to creating and sustaining learning and working environments that are respectful of differences. Cross-cultural conversations and interactions help to ensure that GSE is educating leaders who will be successful in both local and global settings. The University has policies and resources to underscore its commitment to equal opportunity in a community that also values open expression and academic freedom, including those listed below.

The University is also committed to providing a working and learning environment free from sexual harassment. Management and supervisory personnel, at all levels, are responsible for taking reasonable and necessary action to prevent sexual harassment. The University and GSE will take seriously all sexual harassment complaints and respond in accordance with its Sexual Harassment Policy; take appropriate action to provide remedies when sexual harassment is discovered; impose appropriate sanctions upon individuals who have been found to be in violation of the University's policy; and, to the greatest extent possible, protect the privacy of those involved in sexual harassment complaints. 

The University of Pennsylvania is also committed to the principles of free inquiry and free expression and to creating an environment that encourages the active exploration and exchange of ideas. The University's discrimination and harassment policies are not intended to impair this freedom, nor will they be permitted to do so. Prohibited discrimination and harassment, however, are neither legally protected expression nor the proper exercise of academic freedom.

III. Policy on Equal Opportunity 

The University of Pennsylvania’s special character is reflected in the wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty, students, and staff who will constitute a vibrant community and help create an educational and working environment that best supports the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship.

Penn’s commitment to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination is fundamental to the University’s mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Penn is committed to ensuring that its academic, social, recreational programs and services as well as opportunities for admission and employment are available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to an individual’s legally protected class status. The Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, in collaboration with the Division of Human Resources and the Office of the Provost, oversees the implementation and administration of the University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies and programs.

The University recognizes the right of members of the community to raise questions and pursue complaints of discrimination and adheres to a strict policy that prohibits retaliation for doing so. Questions, complaints of alleged discrimination, or concerns regarding these policies or their implementation may be directed to the executive director of the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, Franklin Building, Suite 421, 3451 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6205, (215) 898-6993 or fax (215) 746-7088.

IV. University of Pennsylvania Nondiscrimination Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania seeks talented students, faculty, and staff with a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law in the administration of its admissions, financial aid, educational or athletic programs, or other University-administered programs or in its employment practices. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to the executive director of the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs; Franklin Building, 3451 Walnut Street, Suite 421, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106; or (215) 898-6993.

V. Sexual Misconduct Policy

The mission of the University of Pennsylvania is to offer a world-class education to our students, train future leaders, expand and advance research and knowledge, serve our community and society both at home and abroad, and provide the most expert and outstanding healthcare for our patients. To create and sustain a campus climate in which members of the University community are able to thrive and achieve their full potential, the University has established a wide range of policies, educational programs, resources, support, and reporting systems to respond to complaints of sexual misconduct made against students, postdoctoral or other trainees, faculty, and staff. Sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct will not be tolerated.

View the University’s full policies, resources, and complaint procedures regarding Sexual Misconduct.  For complete information on GSE’s Sexual Misconduct Practices and Policy, click here.

VI. Policy Against Retaliation

University policy expressly prohibits retaliation against faculty, staff, students, postdoctoral or other trainees, and members of the community who in good faith make reports of violations of this policy. In addition, knowingly and intentionally making a false report of a violation of this policy is prohibited.  Members of the Penn community who take adverse action against, intimidate, threaten or otherwise engage in retaliation against a person because they made a complaint of sexual misconduct or served as a witness during an investigation are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of their employment or expulsion from the University.

VII. Respect for Others in the Workplace

Penn recognizes that people are the most important resource for achieving eminence in accomplishing our mission in the areas of teaching, research, community service, and patient care. Penn is an institution that values academic freedom diversity and respect for one another. Penn is committed to the principle of nondiscrimination and does not tolerate conduct that constitutes harassment on any basis, including sexual, racial, ethnic, religious, or gender harassment. For additional information, view Penn's policies, statements, and guidelines on respect for others in the workplace.

VIII. Consensual Sexual Relations Between Faculty and Students in GSE

The relationship between faculty member and student is central to the academic mission of the University. No non-academic or personal ties should be allowed to interfere with the integrity of the faculty-student relationship. Consensual sexual relations between faculty and student can adversely affect the academic enterprise, distorting judgments, or appearing to do so to others, and providing incentives or disincentives for student-faculty contact that are inappropriate.  Because GSE is a single department with a single graduate group with many cross-school courses and activities, we believe that any sexual or dating relationships between faculty members and graduate and professional students at GSE can interfere with the learning environment.  For these reasons, any sexual relations or dating relationships between a faculty member and a GSE student are prohibited. The prohibition extends to all academic advisors and program directors, as well as part-time faculty. 

We recognize that there may be some exceptional cases, such as the case of a pre-existing relationship between an incoming faculty member and a current student or a relationship that predates this policy.  In such cases, we would ask that the faculty member disclose the relationship to the dean who can ensure that the faculty member does not play a supervisory or advisory role to the student while the student is enrolled at GSE.  Read the University's Policy on Consensual Romantic and Sexual Relations in the Workplace and Educational Setting.

IX. University Policy on Secular and Religious Holidays

No secular or religious holidays are formally recognized by the University’s academic calendar. However, in setting the academic calendar for each year, the University does try to avoid obvious conflicts with any holidays that involve most University students, faculty and staff, such as July 4th, Thanksgiving, Labor Day, Christmas New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Day. University policy on secular and religious holidays is available in the Pennbook.  Please refer to the GSE academic calendar for when GSE classes are in session.

X. Poster Policy

Penn GSE values open expression. There are bulletin boards located at the 3700 Walnut Street building on the west side of each floor. Posters or messaging relevant to the GSE community should be posted there. To enable out of date items to be easily removed, please attach posters using push pins. Items that are out of date will be removed from bulletin boards. If you need to post in a place other than the bulletin board, please seek permission from the Office of Student Success. In order to maintain an orderly appearance and to prevent damage, no materials should be taped to the doors or walls at any location.

XI. University Resources for Resolving Information Complaints 

The University has resource offices that will provide information, support and advice to individuals who have questions or concerns regarding University policy.  See confidential resources below.

Confidential Resources for Information, Counseling, and Support:

• African-American Resource Center (resource for students, staff or faculty)

• Counseling (resource for students)

• Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center (resource for students, staff or faculty)

• Office of the Chaplain (resource for students, staff, faculty or visitors)

• Office of the Ombudsman (resource for students, staff or faculty)

• Penn Violence Prevention (resource for students)

• Penn Women’s Center (resource for students, staff or faculty)

• Special Services Department, Division of Public Safety (resource for students, staff, faculty or visitors)

• Student Health (resource for students)

XI. Formal Complaints and Reporting Offices

An individual who wishes to report an allegation of discrimination or harassment may contact anyone on the list below, a manager of a relevant office, or one of the designated University resource offices. If a report is made to any of these individuals/offices listed below, the staff of that office is responsible for ensuring that appropriate action is taken by the University.  Please note that Penn GSE staff listed below are not considered confidential resources and could be mandatory reporters.

Complaint regarding Staff:

• Kate Hellings, Chief People Officer, GSE

• Office of Equal Opportunity Programs

• Office of Staff and Labor Relations, Division of Human Resources

Complaint regarding Faculty:

• Susan Yoon, Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs, GSE

• Office of Equal Opportunity Programs

Complaint regarding Students:

• Ronika Money Adams, Director of Student Success, GSE

• Office of the Vice Provost for University Life

• Penn Housing Services (* for students)

• The Center for Community Standards and Accountability (* for students)