UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Two Student Affairs offices changed their names effective July 1 as an effort to better align the name of the unit with the goals of the work that they do. The name changes come as a result of input from students, University and campus partners, as well as benchmarking with peer institutions. 

Student Leadership and Involvement

The Office of Student Activities will be renamed Student Leadership and Involvement. All of the office's services and resources will remain unchanged. 

Student Leadership and Involvement cultivates student learning by fostering exploration, community engagement and development through educational and experiential opportunities. The office supports student organizations, coordinates campus-wide programming, advises several University affiliate organizations, and provides resources and training for student organization leaders. A variety of leadership development and community service events are also offered, as well as non-credit art classes through the Center for Arts and Crafts.

"The new name better reflects the breadth of engagement opportunities we offer to help students enhance their leadership skills, become active citizens, engage with the community and get involved," said Darcy Rameker, director for Student Leadership and Involvement.

To learn more about the office, visit the Student Leadership and Involvement website or follow the office on Instagram @getinvolvedpsu.

Student Accountability and Conflict Response

The Office of Student Conduct will be renamed Student Accountability and Conflict Response. The office, which works to uphold community and University standards through compassionate interventions in which students are heard, respected and treated with dignity, will continue to oversee the University’s Code of Conduct, enforce behavioral standards and administer conduct processes. The office will continue to provide University-wide staff training and educate students through various intervention efforts, including mediation.

“The name ‘Office of Student Conduct’ established an expectation that we are tasked solely with responding to violations of the Code and sometimes limited our ability to provide services and opportunities, due to the perception the name created,” said Katy Larkin, senior director for Student Accountability and Conflict Response. “We believe changing our name will better reflect the scope of our office and encourage students to participate in the breadth of services that we offer.”

The office strives to provide students, including student organization leaders, with the developmental opportunity to participate in fair and impartial resolution processes which encourage personal accountability and responsible decision making; promote reflection and restoration; and reduce and prevent behavior, which undermines student success and community safety. 

Student Accountability and Conflict Response is located in 120 Boucke Building. Students, faculty and staff can visit the office’s website to learn more.