DUS News - August 24, 2020

News: 

Message From the Dean

Dear students,

As classes start this week, I find myself reflecting on the sheer willingness of everyone at Penn State to roll-up their sleeves and dedicate themselves to finding good solutions over the last several months as this public health crisis has continued to challenge communities near and far.  We are all in this together and I have witnessed first-hand strong, dedicated efforts to ensuring that educational opportunities remain robust.  What many of you expected for your college experiences will look different and I know that may be disappointing.  At the same time, though, the strength of Penn State is its commitment to individuals and their educational journeys.  Across the Division of Undergraduate Studies, academic advisers and others are prepared to support you; to motivate you; and to challenge you to think big about your education.  I want all of you to thrive as students and to be engaged members of our community.  Be bold in how you approach your education.  Always be ready to listen to others and to learn from their respective experiences.  Though we are all in this together, we all are individuals with rich, meaningful, and unique experiences that will shape and inform the value of our collective experiences at Penn State.  Be proud of Penn State, but above all, be proud of what you as an individual bring to our campus.  I wish everyone the very best for the Fall semester.

Sincerely,

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

Advising During the First Week of Classes

Remember, you can still adjust your class schedule through this week.  Students can drop full semester courses through 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, and add full semester courses through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 30. You can make changes to your class schedule via LionPATH. 

If you have questions related to the fall semester or need help adjusting your schedule, connect with us this week.  Please use the link below to find the most appropriate way to connect with an academic adviser. 

Connect with Us 

Evaluate Your Schedule

You met with your academic adviser, reviewed your Suggested 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.

Important Dates: 
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://welcomeweek.psu.edu/welcome-week-schedule

Events and Announcements: 

In-Person Class Preview Video

All Campuses

Are you curious about what in-person instruction will look like this fall? Watch this short video to see a realistic preview of the guidance on the use of masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) in the classroom and on campus will be implemented. The video site also includes some helpful tips for teaching in a physically-distanced classroom and additional information on university policy and teaching strategies.

Dean's Welcome Recap

University Park

Thank you to everyone who attended the Dean's Welcome on Sunday, August 23. Our academic advisers are excited to work with you this semester and beyond to help you explore your academic options and take advantage of all that Penn State has to offer. 

If you weren't able to attend the live event, you can view the recording to catch up on all that DUS has to offer and hear from students about their experiences with remote learning and exploring programs. 

SEN Remote Innovation Grants

All Campuses

Undergraduate students across the commonwealth are encouraged to apply for a Remote Innovation Grants that will support virtual, remote, and/or face-to-face engagement opportunities this coming academic year.The SEN will be awarding grants of up to $2,000 to support student engagement experiences. Grant recipients may use funding to cover the costs of living (i.e. housing, food, transportation), supplies and materials for events and presentations, and other costs related to an engagement experience. Professional conference registration fees and/or travel may also be covered depending on the application. Please provide these details in the budget breakdown on the application.

The application will be open August 17 through September 4. To learn more and apply visit https://www.engage.psu.edu/remote-innovation-grants/.

Virtual Involvement Fair

University Park

The Involvement Fair is one of the best opportunities to get involved in campus life at Penn State. This year, the Involvement Fair is going Virtual! This looks a little different than past years, but there are still great opportunities to learn about our 1000+ student organizations through the different engagement points on the Student Affairs website. Each aspect of the virtual fair will give you a different way to interact with our student organizations. Take a look around and learn about the many ways to get involved at Penn State.

Learn more on the Student Affairs website. 

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. Learn more by visiting the Bellisario College of Communications website.