DUS News - August 11, 2020

News: 

Message from the Dean

Dear DUS students,

With the start of the fall semester just around the corner, academic advising has never been more important, and the Division of Undergraduate Studies is fully prepared to support you whether you are learning on campus or from a remote location. Regardless of the challenges and uncertainties of fall, academic advisers in the Division of Undergraduate Studies are prepared to help you develop a meaningful and successful academic pathway. To schedule an advising appointment, visit: starfish.psu.edu.

While the day-to-day realities of our campuses and classes will look different from the past, the focus on learning will remain robust across Penn State. With crises like the current global pandemic and systemic racism challenging the health and prosperity of communities near and far, higher education is a vital source for finding solutions. Penn State and the Division of Undergraduate Studies are committed to engaging both these issues and for creating inclusive space for dialogue about not only imaging a meaningful academic pathway, but also to how the decisions you make about your education can be part of the change needed to move our world forward.

Without a doubt, these are challenging times, but I truly hope you will embrace the coming academic year as an opportunity to explore and to be part of learning that will allow you to grow as an individual. We are here to support you and to help you make good decisions about your education.

Best wishes,

David R. Smith, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Advising
     and Executive Director
The Division of Undergraduate Studie

Schedule an Advising Appointment

Have a question or concern about your schedule for the upcoming semester? Schedule an appointment with your adviser. DUS advisers are available for you even before the semester begins to help answer your questions and guide you into a new semester at Penn State. You can schedule an appointment with your DUS Adviser (at University Park and at some Campus Locations) online via Starfish (starfish.psu.edu). To do this, log into Starfish and click the "My Success Network" icon on your Home page to display your personalized network. This channel lists the people and resources that are available to assist you, including your assigned DUS Academic Adviser. If online scheduling is enabled, you will see a link to make an appointment (If not, you can always contact your adviser or your Advising Office directly). For more information or step-by-step instructions, please visit: http://sites.psu.edu/starfishinfo/user-roles/student-users/#appointment.

Important Dates: 
Resource Spotlight: 

Keep Learning Website

The Keep Learning website offers resources to help Penn State students access the information they need for courses this fall.

Events and Announcements: 

Coronavirus Compact

All Campuses

As part of a series of pre-arrival requirements for returning to campus and communities this fall semester, students are required to agree to the Penn State Coronavirus Compact, which is now available in LionPATH. The compact — which all undergraduate and graduate students at every campus location must confirm that they have read before returning to Penn State or beginning classes — outlines health and safety expectations and requirements for the upcoming semester. You must sign the compact before gaining access to any features in LionPATH. 

Dean's Welcome

All Campuses

We know this may not be how you expected to start your Penn State journey, but we are here for you. Our academic advisers and staff are dedicated to helping you make informed decisions about your education at Penn State, starting this fall and beyond.

Please join us on Sunday, August 23 at 2:00 p.m. (EDT) for a virtual Dean's Welcome.

Use this link to join the meeting: https://rebrand.ly/fa20dus. You may be asked to log in using your Penn State Access ID (abc123) and password.

We will provide you with important deadlines and inform you of opportunities and resources. You also will meet some of our staff and have an opportunity to learn more about how we can help you have a successful college experience.