Company Directory - The Pennsylvania State University
Company Details - The Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University
WebsiteUniversity Park, United States
The Pennsylvania State University (commonly known as Penn State) is a public research university located in University Park, Pennsylvania. It is renowned for its comprehensive academic programs, innovative research initiatives, and a vibrant campus community that engages in a broad spectrum of educational and extracurricular activities.
CCI Score
CCI Score: The Pennsylvania State University
-7.07
Latest Event
Penn State Political Campaign Activities Policy
Penn State has implemented a policy that prohibits the use of university resources for political campaign activities, ensuring that employees and students engage politically only in their personal capacities. This policy reinforces non-partisanship by clearly delineating between official university functions and private political expression, thereby supporting democratic norms and preventing misuse of institutional resources.
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COLLABORATOR
The Pennsylvania State University is currently rated as a Collaborator.
Latest Events
- JAN012025
Penn State has implemented a policy that prohibits the use of university resources for political campaign activities, ensuring that employees and students engage politically only in their personal capacities. This policy reinforces non-partisanship by clearly delineating between official university functions and private political expression, thereby supporting democratic norms and preventing misuse of institutional resources.
+40
Public and Political Behavior
March 29
The policy explicitly restricts the university from using its resources for political campaigning and mandates that employees and students separate their official roles from their personal political activities. This clear stance helps maintain institutional neutrality and supports democratic engagement, which is a positive anti-authoritarian action.
- NOV082024
On November 8, 2024, graduate students at Penn State rallied for unionization to secure better pay and protections. In response, Penn State acknowledged the movement and reiterated its support for graduate student development, signifying a commitment to improving labor rights.
+80
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 29
The university's acknowledgement and supportive stance toward the graduate students' unionization effort demonstrates a positive commitment to labor rights and worker protection. This action aligns with the broader anti-authoritarian, pro-worker values by enhancing collective bargaining power and solidifying worker solidarity.
Penn State graduate students rally for unionization to secure better pay and protections.
- NOV072024
Graduate students at Penn State rallied on November 7, 2024, demanding better pay, improved healthcare, and enhanced protections for international student workers, while seeking to join a broader unionization movement. The university issued a brief statement asserting its commitment to the professional development of its graduate students without directly addressing the labor concerns raised.
-30
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 29
The university’s minimal response, which only reiterated its general commitment to graduate student development without addressing the substantive labor issues and demands for union representation, reflects a neglect of robust labor rights practices. This omission contributes to an environment where graduate students feel unsupported in their fight for fair working conditions.
'Part of a movement:' Penn State graduate students rally for unionization
- OCT242024
Penn State has agreed to pay $1.25 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by misrepresenting its compliance with cybersecurity controls required for DoD and NASA contracts between 2018 and 2023. The settlement resolved claims that the university failed to implement adequate cybersecurity measures and misrepresented implementation timelines.
-40
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
March 29
The settlement highlights unethical business practices by Penn State, where the institution allegedly misrepresented its cybersecurity compliance on government contracts. This violation of the False Claims Act reflects poor ethical responsibility and undermines trust in public institutions, a serious concern from an anti-fascist and progressive perspective.
Penn State to Pay $1.25M to Resolve Claims of Cybersecurity Non-Compliance
- OCT222024
Penn State reached a $1.25M settlement with the Department of Justice for alleged cybersecurity non-compliance under the False Claims Act. The settlement followed a qui tam action by a whistleblower and claims that the university misrepresented its implementation of required cybersecurity safeguards in federal contracts.
-70
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
March 29
Penn State is accused of failing to implement adequate cybersecurity measures as mandated under federal contracts and misrepresenting its compliance timelines. This breach of ethical business practices, as evidenced by the $1.25M settlement with the DoJ, reflects a serious lapse in accountability and regulatory adherence.
- OCT222024
The Pennsylvania State University agreed to pay $1,250,000 to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act by failing to meet cybersecurity requirements on contracts involving the Department of Defense and NASA. This settlement highlights significant lapses in ethical business practices and internal compliance measures.
-70
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
March 29
The settlement indicates a serious breach of ethical business practices, as Penn State failed to adhere to mandated cybersecurity standards in federal contracts. This not only undermines accountability and trust in the institution, but also reflects broader issues with institutional oversight and risk management practices.
Office of Public Affairs | The Pennsylvania State University Agrees to ...
- OCT222024
Penn State agreed to pay $1.25 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to comply with cybersecurity requirements for 15 contracts/subcontracts with the Department of Defense and NASA. The settlement addresses claims that the university misrepresented its cybersecurity compliance, potentially compromising sensitive defense information and undermining public trust.
-70
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
March 29
The settlement stems from allegations that Penn State misrepresented its cybersecurity compliance in government contracts, failing to implement required controls and accurately report remediation timelines. This violation of contractual and ethical business practices not only endangers sensitive defense-related data but also erodes public trust in a major public institution.
- SEP042024
Penn State’s Office of Government and Community Relations issued a reminder about the policies governing political campaign activities for both university and non-university groups ahead of the 2024 general election. The guidelines reinforce free expression and civic engagement while ensuring that official university resources are not misused for partisan activities.
+20
Public and Political Behavior
March 29
The university's reminder supports democratic participation by clarifying acceptable political involvement and upholding free expression while ensuring compliance with legal standards. This approach helps safeguard against authoritarian misuse of institutional resources and reinforces civic engagement.
University community reminded of policies for political campaign activities
- JAN012024
An OpenSecrets profile reveals that Penn State University reported $701,217 in political contributions and $610,000 in lobbying expenditures during the 2024 cycle. This data reflects the university's active engagement in political finance, though there is no explicit alignment with authoritarian or far‐right agendas.
+0
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 29
The data from OpenSecrets indicates that Penn State University engaged in standard political contributions and lobbying activities for the 2024 cycle. While such engagement could potentially be used to influence policy outcomes, there is no evidence these actions support authoritarian or fascist initiatives. Instead, as a public research institution, these activities appear routine and not explicitly aligned with far‐right political interests.
- DEC312023
Penn State University spent $620,000 on lobbying activities in 2023, as reported by OpenSecrets. This expenditure highlights the university's active engagement in influencing legislative processes, which is noteworthy from a power and political influence perspective.
-10
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 29
The data shows that Penn State University allocated $620,000 for lobbying in 2023. From an anti-fascist perspective, such political expenditures can be concerning as they may contribute to undue influence in legislative processes. Although as a public institution the intent might include protecting academic interests, the act of lobbying is inherently a political activity that risks reinforcing established power structures.
- OCT012023
Penn State’s Office of Government and Community Relations has issued guidance under Administrative Policy AD50 regarding interactions with federal and state officials and lobbying activities. The policy instructs employees to make personal contacts without implying official University endorsement and mandates prior notification for any lobbying efforts, ensuring adherence to state and federal disclosure requirements.
+40
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
March 29
The policy reinforces transparency and accountability by requiring that interactions with government officials and lobbying activities are conducted on a personal basis with prior disclosure. This measure prevents the misuse of institutional influence and aligns with anti-authoritarian practices by ensuring that political engagement is clearly separated from official university actions.
University guidance on contact with elected officials and lobbying practices
- MAR012018
Penn State's Graduate School issued an update on the ongoing graduate student unionization effort, noting that both the University and the Pennsylvania State Education Association have filed legal briefs with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board following a petition and subsequent hearing. The update encourages eligible graduate students to participate in the upcoming election if one is mandated.
+60
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
March 29
The update by Penn State’s Graduate School on the unionization effort reflects a supportive stance towards labor rights, as it informs and encourages eligible students to participate in the unionization vote. This positive engagement with workers’ rights initiatives is rated favorably from an anti-authoritarian and pro-labor perspective.
Update on graduate student unionization effort | Penn State University
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