UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- As a global leader in research, education and outreach efforts, Penn State consistently engages with companies, institutions, government agencies and individuals from around the world. According to the Office of Global Programs, more than 140 countries are represented in the Penn State community, not to mention the additional locations and programs that occur around the world.
As a result of this broad-based, world-wide approach to carrying out the University’s academic and research mission, Penn State is regularly impacted directly by various federal laws and regulations restricting the export and import of controlled or sensitive items, information or services. These laws and regulations, commonly referred to as export controls, are designed to further identified U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economic interests.
At Penn State, export controls touch nearly every aspect of the institution. From global recruitment of the faculty, staff, and students from around the world, to support for on-the-ground research activities on every continent, Penn State is a leader in global engagement and advancement. Penn State’s continued leadership and growth in global academic efforts necessitates a robust and mature export compliance program to help navigate successfully in this highly regulated space.
Penn State is also leader in the implementation of compliance programming in the export control space. Penn State regularly participates in efforts to help guide and direct the future development of appropriate export control regulations that impact the higher education community. Through its involvement with various national associations and through collaboration between Penn State and its peer institutions, Penn State is helping to improve U.S. approaches to the reasonable management of export controls and their impact on U.S. higher educational campuses and programs.
The dedicated staff within the University Export Compliance Office at Penn State, housed within the Penn State Ethics and Compliance Office, bring to the table decades of experience in managing export control risks in higher education. From on-site operation of a NASA satellite ground station, to the shipment of biological materials worldwide, the export compliance team at Penn State helps faculty, staff, and students conduct their academic efforts in compliance with these myriad and complex domestic and international laws and regulation
The Penn State Export Compliance website contains resources and materials for the University community, including a copy of the Penn State Export Compliance Plan, FAQs on U.S. Export Controls and on impacted international transactions or activities, links to government resources, training materials, and access to various online forms to request export controls related reviews by the Penn State export compliance staff.