You met with your academic adviser, reviewed your Recommended Academic Plans and What-If Reports to plan your schedule, and you registered for courses. Now that those classes have begun, it's time to ask yourself some questions: Is the course content aligned with what you hoped to learn from this course? Is the out of class work balanced among your courses? Do you have three mid-term exams on the same date? All of these can be addressed by looking through your syllabi and talking with your instructors about the semester agenda. Please be an ACTIVE participant in your educational journey and reach out for help, if needed. If you need to alter your schedule, NOW is the time to do it.
News:
Evaluate your schedule
Advising during Drop/Add
If you need to meet with a DUS adviser at University Park during the drop/add period (Monday, August 20 through Friday, August 24), come to the Grange Building between, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. You will see the first available DUS adviser. There will be no scheduled appointments with advisers during this week—walk-ins only. If you are a DUS student at all other campuses, there may also be drop in appointments during the first week, but you should check with your Academic Advising Center for more information.
To discuss topics that are not important to resolve during the drop/add week, schedule an appointment with your DUS Adviser (at University Park and at some Campus Locations) online via Starfish (starfish.psu.edu). 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).
Important Dates:
- August 20 (Mon)
First Day of Classes - August 22 (Wed)
Student Involvement Fair - August 25 (Sat at 11:59 p.m.)
Regular course drop deadline - August 26 (Sun at 11:59 p.m.)
Regular course add deadline - August 27–31
Meet Your Adviser Week - August 28 (Tues)
Career Services Open House - August 28 (Tues)
Bellisario College of Communications Involvement Fair - August 29 (Wed)
LION Bash - August 29 (Wed)
College of Ag Sciences Involvement Fair
More events at dus.psu.edu/calendar.
Resource Spotlight:
Welcome Week Events
Welcome Week is full of activities to help you explore your new home at Penn State, connect with friends, and discover something new. Find all the events at http://orientation.psu.edu/content/welcome-week-schedule
Events and Announcements:
Spotted Lanterfly Awareness and Prevention
All Campuses
The spotted lanternfly threatens the loss of $18 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy. Do your part to prevent its spread by learning to identify it throughout its lifecycle and taking precautions when moving in and out of southwestern PA quarantine zones. Check your vehicle, yourself, and any belongings that were outdoors to be sure this extremely invasive insect isn’t hitching a ride! Learn more from Penn State Extension.
Student Engagement Network Grant Program
All Campuses
The Student Engagement Network Grant Program is now accepting applications for Fall 2018! The SEN will be awarding grants of up to $3,000 to support student engagement experiences. Examples include financial support for unpaid internships or research opportunities, living expenses, travel costs, and conference fees. Grant funding can also be used to compensate a student working fewer hours in order to be involved in a student club or organization on campus.
To learn more and apply visit engage.psu.edu/students/grants.
The application will be open August 17 through August 31. If you have questions about the grant program or how to apply, visit us in 102 HUB-Robeson Center, email us at engage@psu.edu, or call us at our new number, (814) 863-5995.
Involvement Fair
University Park
Check out many of Penn State’s student clubs and organizations on Wednesday, August 22 from 11 - 4 p.m. at the Student Involvement Fair in the HUB-Robeson Center. This fair is a great way to find some interests outside the classroom, enrich your college experience, and add value to your resume.
Bellisario College of Communications Involvement Fair
University Park
Information session about Bellisario College and communications-related activities, clubs and organizations on campus. This free event provides opportunity for students to get information about getting involved on campus. Tuesday, August 28 from 3-5 p.m. at Alumni Hall in the HUB.
College of Ag Sciences Involvement Fair
University Park
The 2018 College of Agricultural Sciences Involvement Fair will be held on Wednesday, August 29, from 11:00–2:00 p.m. on the grassy area behind the ASI greenhouses and across from the Creamery patio. Continuing students and students new to University Park will be introduced to club, organization, and society opportunities. Creamery ice cream will be served.
Meet Your Adviser
University Park
Come meet your adviser in an informal setting in the Grange Lobby from 3:30–4:30 p.m. every day during the second week of classes. Below is the schedule for the advisers available each day.
Monday, August 27: Liz Agler, Alyssa Bumbaugh, Jeff Gugino, Tanja St. Pierre, Junhow Wei
Tuesday, August 28: Heather Atkinson, Brittany Baker, Hilleary Himes, Terrance Hudson, Terry Musser, Janet Schulenberg
Wednesday, August 29: Michelle Covert, Carolyn Jensen, Courtney Karmelita, Brian Petrosky, Jeff Warner
Thursday, August 30: Shana Clarke, Kathy Garren, Irma Giannetti, Kellie Scofield
Friday, August 31: Lauren Granese, Rebekka Kuhn, Joan Miller, Del Schwab
Med Prep & PA Prep Group Advising
University Park
Interested in entering the health professions field? Beginning Fall 2018, all first-year students interested in meeting one-on-one with a health professions adviser are required to attend a large-group advising session (Med Prep or PA Prep) prior to scheduling the advising appointment. All other students are encouraged to attend these sessions as well, as they contain valuable information about how to get started (e.g., prerequisite coursework, extracurricular experiences, etc.).
FA18 Med Prep & PA Prep Group-Advising Schedule (all sessions are the same - attend one):
Med Prep: Coursework, skills & experiences needed for medical/dental/podiatry programs
- Aug. 30, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, 102 Thomas
- Sept. 19, 6 - 7 pm, 62 Willard
- Oct. 16, 6 - 7 pm, 104 Thomas
- Nov. 12, 6 - 7 pm, 201 Thomas
PA Prep: Coursework, skills & experiences needed for Physician Assistant programs
- Aug. 27, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, 112 Buckhout
- Sept. 25, 6 - 7 pm, 104 Thomas
- Oct. 17, 6 - 7 pm, 201 Thomas
- Nov. 29, 6 - 7 pm, 201 Thomas
Additional information about health professions advising is available on our website: http://science.psu.edu/premed/advising