DUS News - December 6, 2021

News: 

Withdrawal Deadline Friday

If you’re doing poorly in most or all of your classes, talk to an academic adviser as soon as possible about your options. Withdrawal from fall semester might be appropriate for you, but it’s a serious decision and should be discussed with family members as well as Student Aid and your adviser. The deadline to withdraw is this Friday, December 10. If you are unable to speak with your adviser, you can take advantage of Quick Question Advising hours this week. See the article later in this newsletter for more details. 

You also have the option to take a Leave of Absence for future semesters. Next week’s DUS News will have more information on this. 

Nominate an Excellent Adviser

Now through Friday, December 17, students may nominate advisers for the 2022 Penn State Excellence in Academic Advising Award. Sponsored by the University Advising Council and the Office of Undergraduate Education, the award recognizes and rewards advising excellence.

One award is given annually to a faculty member and one to a professional academic adviser. All current full-time University employees with advising responsibilities and two years of advising experience at Penn State are eligible.

Students who wish to honor an adviser who has helped them navigate the University’s academic system, plan a fulfilling program of study, consider co-curricular experiences, and learn to manage their own educational journey at Penn State are welcome to complete a short, online nomination form.

Advisers selected for the 2022 Excellence in Advising Award will be recognized by the University in the spring.

Changes to DUS Quick Question Advising

We've made a few small changes to our Quick Question Advising (QQA) process at University Park and want you to know about them.

  • All QQA is now held only via Zoom during the hours listed below. Note that this only applies to University Park. Each campus advising office manages appointments differently.
  • We have expanded our QQA hours for this week only (December 6–10) to help accommodate last-minute end-of-semester questions. Beginning December 13, we will return to our normal QQA hours. 
  • After you check in to the waiting room using the link below, check your Penn State email continuously for an "Adviser is Ready" notification with connection instructions for Zoom. Join the Zoom room immediately upon receiving the email. 

QQA hours for December 6–10:

Monday 9:00–11:00 a.m. and 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00–11:00 a.m. and 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00–11:00 a.m. and 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:00–11:00 a.m. and 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00–11:00 a.m. and 1:00–3:00 p.m.

 

Click here to sign in to QQA waiting room - Please note that a DUS Adviser is only available during the times listed above. All times are Eastern Time. 

Important Dates: 
Resource Spotlight: 

Stress Relief Resources

Are your upcoming final exams/projects stressing you out? Check out some of the following resources from the DUSuccess site that might help:

Events and Announcements: 

De-Stress in Grange Building

University Park

Stressed about the end of the semester and finals? Come de-stress with DUS on Monday, December 13 from 10:00–2:00 p.m. Visit the Grange Building Lobby at your convenience during this time and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and a free craft! 

Study Spaces

All Campuses

Looking for a place to relax and study? The University Libraries website contains a lot of useful information on places you can visit for studying, group work, media projects, and other uses. Not at University Park? You can also find library spaces available at your campus by visiting the same link. 

Student Engagement Network Grant Program

All Campuses

The Student Engagement Network Grant Program is now accepting applications for spring 2022! 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.

Learn more and apply on the SEN Grant Program website. The application deadline is December 12. 

Apply to Become a Lion Ambassador

University Park

Do you love Penn State? Do you want to share that love with everyone you meet? Consider joining the Lion Ambassadors. The Lion Ambassadors are Penn State’s Student Alumni Corps who aim to communicate the University’s history, personality, and traditions to students, alumni, and anyone with a love for dear old state. Applications for 2021 are now open and being accepted. Learn more about the Lion Ambassadors on their website. 

Deadline to apply: Friday, December 10 at 11:59 p.m.