Disclosure of Misconduct

Finalists for Tenure-Line Faculty Positions Where Immediate Tenure is Sought

Thank you for your interest in a tenure-line faculty position at Penn State. Penn State is committed to hiring highly qualified faculty who have the potential to make positive contributions to our academic community and who are committed to Penn State’s values. To support this commitment, Penn State is requiring candidates for some faculty appointments to disclose pending or prior investigations of misconduct occurring within the past five years.

To whom does this requirement apply?

If you are a finalist for a tenure-line position who is seeking tenure immediately upon appointment (or will pursue tenure during the first year of your appointment through the hybrid immediate/out-of-sequence tenure review process), then prior to your final on-campus (in-person or virtual) interview, you must submit a signed authorization and disclosure form to the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. The purpose of this form is for you either to disclose any pending investigations of your conduct (e.g., research/sexual misconduct/other) or investigations of your conduct occurring in the past five years that resulted in a finding of misconduct or to confirm that you have nothing to disclose. Please know that merely disclosing pending investigations or findings of misconduct after an investigation will not preclude you from receiving an offer of employment. Penn State will contact your current/prior institution to determine whether the investigation raises concerns about your suitability for the position. The University will treat not disclosing any past findings of misconduct or pending investigations as a serious omission, and reserves the right to rescind your offer or terminate employment should you fail to disclose such information. If you are uncertain about whether you need to make a disclosure, please contact Abby Diehl, Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, at agc105@psu.edu.

All candidates must submit a completed authorization and disclosure form regardless of whether you have a pending or past investigation to report. You must complete the form to either affirm or deny that you have pending or prior investigations of misconduct occurring within the past five years.

Where can I access the form?

Finalists may complete the authorization and disclosure form here: Disclosure of Misconduct Form

*Please note that after you complete the form, you must click the “Click to Sign” button at the bottom of the document. You will be prompted to provide your email address. You will receive an email at that address, and you must click on the link in this email for your form to be submitted.  

When should I submit the form?

You should submit this form as soon as possible after you are notified that you are a finalist for a tenure-line position for which immediate tenure may be awarded. This form should be completed before your in-person or virtual campus visit. The immediate tenure process will not begin until a signed form is submitted and any prior or pending investigations have been assessed.

Who will see my completed form?

All forms received will be retained in the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs in a secure location and will adhere to a University-approved retention schedule. If you disclose a pending or prior investigation, the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs will contact the relevant parties at your institution to obtain further information.

What if I have questions about this process?

If you have any questions, please contact Abby Diehl, Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, at agc105@psu.edu.