Pennsylvania laws
Good Samaritan Law
A person under the age of twenty-one will be protected from prosecution for the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages if law enforcement, including campus police, became aware of the possession or consumption solely because the individual was seeking medical assistance for someone else.
Penn State Altoona Alcohol Policy:
We are an alcohol-prohibited university:
- No one is permitted to have alcohol on University property, no matter if the person is 21 years or older, without the prior approval of the Chancellor.
- Students, regardless if they are 21 years or older, are NOT permitted to have alcohol in the Residence Halls. Students who violate this policy will be referred to the office of Residence Life, the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, and/or University Police.
- Students, regardless if they are 21 years or older, are NOT permitted to be in the presence of alcohol in the Residence Halls. Students who violate this policy will be referred to the office of Residence Life, the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, and/or University Police.
- If a student is caught breaking the law off campus, the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response will review the allegations and the student may face Penn State disciplinary sanctions.
- By law, the local police department and University Police are required to notify parents or guardians of all underage-drinking violations.
Penn State Tobacco Policy
The smoking of any material is prohibited in all facilities of Penn State Altoona
With the exception of four designated areas, smoking will be prohibited outside any of the buildings, on sidewalks located on campus, and in parking lots on campus. For the location of smoking huts on campus, visit the Campus Map.
Penn State Drug Policy
It is a violation of state law and University policy to illegally possess, use, distribute, manufacture, sell or be under the influence of illegal substances. Students who violate this policy will be referred to the Office of Residence Life, the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, and/or University Police.
It is against residence hall policy for a student to be in a residential area (room, common area, common building, building entryway, or quad area immediately adjacent to the residence halls) and in the presence of an illegal substance. Students who are in the presence of an illegal substance in these areas will be referred to the Office of Residence Life, the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response and/or University Police.