Academically Related Activities

The University of Pennsylvania uses the following federal definitions when referring to "academically related activities" in its policies. 

Academically related activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Physically attending a class where there is an opportunity for direct interaction between the instructor and students;
  • Submitting an academic assignment;
  • Taking an exam, an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction;
  • Attending a study group (ex: recitation, group project work, lab) that is assigned by the instructor;
  • Participating in an online discussion about academic matters; and
  • Initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a question about the academic subject studied in the course

Academically related activities do not include activities where a student may be present, but not academically engaged, such as:

  • Living in institutional housing;
  • Participating in the institution's meal plan;
  • Logging into an online class without active participation; or
  • Participating in academic counseling or advisement.