Penn State University

Title IX process

According to the 2026 Annual Security Report, Penn State addresses sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking under its Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, AD85, and all student sexual misconduct proceeds under AD85 even where it falls outside Title IX's jurisdiction. Penn State's Office of Ethics and Compliance says the Office of Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Response (OSMRR) handles reports involving students, and the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access handles reports involving employees. The report states that the University seeks to complete the investigation and related processes typically within 120 days, a timeline it describes as not binding.4 sourcesSourcesCloseUniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 14The University has implemented the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, AD85, to address complaints of sexual harassment as defined under the 2020 Title IX regulations.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 30All student sexual misconduct will proceed under AD85 even if they do not meet the jurisdictional criteria of Title IX.UniversityTitle IX: Sexual Harassment and Sexual MisconductPenn State Office of Ethics and ComplianceOpen sourceArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026Title IX landing page describing which offices handle reports involving students and employees.Location in source: PartnershipPenn State’s Office of Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Response (OSMRR) addresses Title IX reports involving students, as well as other reports of student sexual misconduct otherwise prohibited by University policy.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 24The University will seek to complete the investigation and any additional necessary processes within a prompt and reasonable amount of time, typically not to exceed 120 days. This timeline is not binding and creates no rights for the parties.

Campus disciplinary procedures

According to the 2026 Annual Security Report and Policy AD85, formal complaints that are not dismissed or resolved informally go to a live hearing before a three-person Title IX Hearing Panel of trained hearing officers (students may not serve), which decides responsibility by a preponderance of the evidence. Each party may have an advisor, and the University provides one to conduct cross-examination if a party's advisor does not appear. For student respondents found responsible, the Senior Director of the Office of Student Accountability & Conflict Response assigns sanctions, which may include formal warning, conduct probation, suspension or expulsion; expulsion carries a permanent negative transcript notation. Both parties may appeal within five business days.7 sourcesSourcesCloseUniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 27Render a decision using a preponderance of the evidence standardUniversityAD85 Title IX Sexual HarassmentThe Pennsylvania State UniversityOpen sourceArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University policy page. Sections cited by heading (e.g. "V. Amnesty for Students"). Revision history at the foot of the page; most recent change listed: September 10, 2026.Location in source: IX. Title IX Terms and Definitions, j. Hearing PanelThe mixed-gender, three (3)-person panel who are members of the University’s Title IX Hearing Board (i.e., trained Title IX hearing officers) charged with adjudicating alleged violations of this Policy.UniversityAD85 Title IX Sexual HarassmentThe Pennsylvania State UniversityOpen sourceArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University policy page. Sections cited by heading (e.g. "V. Amnesty for Students"). Revision history at the foot of the page; most recent change listed: September 10, 2026.Location in source: IX. Title IX Terms and Definitions, j. Hearing PanelStudents are not permitted to serve on Title IX Hearing Panels.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 28If a party’s Advisor does not appear at the time of the hearing, the University will provide an Advisor for that party without fee or charge, to conduct cross-examination on behalf of that party.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 28Sanctions may include, without limitation, formal warning, conduct probation, suspension or expulsion from the University.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 37A permanent Negative Transcript Notation is applied.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 29Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Title IX Coordinator or their designee within five (5) business days of the date of the Notice of Outcome or Notice of Dismissal.

Law-enforcement referrals

According to the 2026 Annual Security Report, Penn State encourages reporting to law enforcement but states that it is the victim's choice whether to do so, and that victims have the right to decline involvement with the police. The University will help a victim notify police and make a report if they wish, and filing a police report does not mean the victim must pursue criminal charges. Whether or not a crime is reported to police, a victim may seek University discipline against an offender who is a member of the University community. The report notes that in Pennsylvania evidence may be collected even if a victim chooses not to report to law enforcement.5 sourcesSourcesCloseUniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 18Although the University strongly encourages all members of its community to report violations of this policy to law enforcement, it is the victim’s choice whether or not to make such a report, and victims have the right to decline involvement with the police.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 18The University will assist any victim with notifying local police if they so desire, including assisting a victim with making a police report.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 19Filing a police report does not mean the victim must pursue criminal charges.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 18Whether a victim reports the crime to the police, or not, if the alleged offender is a member of the University community, the victim has a right to proceed to seek University discipline against the offenderUniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 17In Pennsylvania, evidence may be collected even if a victim chooses not to make a report to law enforcement.

Prevention programs

According to the 2026 Annual Security Report, all incoming first-year students must complete the sexual misconduct content of Penn State Safe & Aware, an online module on alcohol and sexual misconduct, and all new employees must complete a "Title IX for Penn State" training module. The report states that 8,101 University Park students completed the module in 2025–2026. The R-VOICE Center provides programs on sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking, and bystander intervention training; other listed programs include Welcome Week/New Student Orientation events and Greeks CARE.5 sourcesSourcesCloseUniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 15All incoming first-year students, regardless of age, are required to complete the sexual misconduct content.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 15All new employees are required to complete the “Title IX for Penn State” online training module.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 432025-2026: 8,101 students from University Park and 3,870 students from Commonwealth Campuses completed the Safe and Aware Module.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 40R-VOICE now has specialized trainings on Bystander Intervention, which focuses on interrupting situations related to sexual and relationship violence, acts of bias, and sexual or gender-based harassment.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 38Welcome Week/New Student Orientation – events with invited speakers to address issues of sexual and gender-based violence.

Reporting procedures

According to the 2026 Annual Security Report, anyone may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, to the Title IX Coordinator in person, by mail, by telephone, by email or online, at any time. Notice to the Title IX Coordinator or an official with authority to institute corrective measures triggers the University's response: the Coordinator contacts the complainant about supportive measures and how to file a formal complaint. A person who reports being a victim receives a written explanation of rights and options. Policy AD85 designates certain employees (including deans, department heads, directors, coaches and full-time supervisors) as mandatory reporters, and lists confidential resources for those who do not want to make a report. Crimes may also be reported to University Police, anonymously online, or as a voluntary confidential report.5 sourcesSourcesCloseUniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 17Any person may report any type of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the individual reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, online at https://universityethics.psu.edu/our-expertise/title-ix/report, or by email, using the contact information listed below.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 21Notice to a Title IX Coordinator or to an official with authority to institute corrective measures on the University's behalf triggers the University's response obligations.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 19the University will provide you with a written explanation of your rights and options.UniversityAD85 Title IX Sexual HarassmentThe Pennsylvania State UniversityOpen sourceArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University policy page. Sections cited by heading (e.g. "V. Amnesty for Students"). Revision history at the foot of the page; most recent change listed: September 10, 2026.Location in source: IX. Title IX Terms and Definitions, k. Mandatory ReportersThe University has designated specific employees as mandatory reporters under this policy.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 11If you are interested in reporting a crime anonymously, you can use the University Police and Public Safety’s online crime reporting form.

Outcome information

According to the 2026 Annual Security Report, the Title IX Coordinator sends the parties a written Notice of Outcome simultaneously, including findings of fact, the result of each allegation, any sanctions and how to appeal, and outcomes are disclosed to alleged victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking without a written request. Penn State's Office of Ethics and Compliance publishes quarterly Compliance Reporting Data showing the number and category of reports, including a Title IX/sexual misconduct category and reports to OSMRR, and report outcomes. In the Q4 2025 report reviewed, outcomes are given as combined totals for several offices rather than separately for sexual misconduct cases.2 sourcesSourcesCloseUniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 29the Title IX Coordinator will review the decision of the Hearing Panel and the sanctions, if applicable, and will send written notice (“Notice of Outcome”) of both simultaneously to the parties.UniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 29Written request is not required, however, from an alleged victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking.

Transparency practices

According to the 2026 Annual Security Report, Penn State does not publish crime victims' personally identifiable information in the report or other public disclosures. Policy AD85 states that Title IX training materials are published at titleix.psu.edu. Penn State has run a Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey and publishes results by campus for 2015, 2018 and 2022; for the 2025 survey, its Coalition to Address Relationship and Sexual Violence decided the quantitative data will not be reported or used, citing low participation (5% of invited students gave usable responses) and a technical issue that prevented campus-level reporting.2 sourcesSourcesCloseUniversityPenn State University Park 2026 Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report (Policies, Safety, & U)Penn State University Police and Public SafetyOpen sourceFree to readArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University Park campus only. Crime statistics: p. 68; hate crimes and unfounded crimes: p. 69. Penn State's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking: pp. 14–38. Printed page numbers equal PDF page numbers.Location in source: p. 38The University does not publish the personally identifiable information of the crime victims in its Annual Security Report or other publicly available disclosuresUniversityAD85 Title IX Sexual HarassmentThe Pennsylvania State UniversityOpen sourceArchived copyRetrieved October 5, 2026University policy page. Sections cited by heading (e.g. "V. Amnesty for Students"). Revision history at the foot of the page; most recent change listed: September 10, 2026.Location in source: II. Policy StatementThe University will publish training materials on https://titleix.psu.edu/ which are up to date and reflect the latest training provided to Title IX personnel.

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