DUS News - January 2, 2018

News: 

We hope you had a great break! Check your email for a message from your adviser.

Make sure you read any emails sent by your academic adviser via Starfish recently. These messages include comments about your academic plans, and highlight actions you may need to take. These messages are sent to your Penn State email account.

Advising During Drop/Add

If you need to meet with a DUS adviser at University Park during the drop/add period (Monday, January 8 through Friday, January 12), come to the Grange Building, 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 schedule an appointment for after the first week of classes (to discuss topics that are not important to resolve during the drop/add week), you can 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: 
  • January 8
    First day of classes - Spring Semester
  • January 8-13
    Drop/Add Period
  • January 13 (11:59 p.m.)
    Regular Drop Deadline
  • January 14 (11:59 p.m.)
    Regular Add Deadline
  • January 15
    Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No Classes)

More events at dus.psu.edu/calendar.

Resource Spotlight: 
Canvas

New to using Canvas to access class announcements, assignments, syllabi, discussions, files, and grades? Check out the Help and Support button on the Canvas home page!

Events and Announcements: 
Spark Program
University Park

Interested in doing research or possibly studying abroad at some point in your academic career? Consider applying for the Spark Program. SPARK is a 7-week educational experience discussing funded opportunities for research or study abroad. Participants will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to help them take ownership of their undergraduate career and become competitive applicants, as well as leaders in their fields. Presenters include Penn State’s current and past fellowship recipients and key faculty on campus. Dinner is provided at every session/presentation.

Topics include: 

  • Undergraduate research and internships
  • Leadership and civic engagement
  • Working with faculty
  • Writing a personal statement

Application deadline is January 12, 2018. Learn more at ufo.psu.edu/spark.

Be a DUS Peer Mentor
University Park

If you’re looking for a great way to gain leadership experience next summer, check-out the DUS Peer Mentor position. The DUS Peer Mentor team will play an important role in helping to promote a positive awareness of the exploratory educational experience and well-informed decision making before entering colleges/majors. To learn more about the role, visit https://dus.psu.edu/dus-peer-mentor or apply via the PSU jobs website at https://psu.jobs/job/74237

If you have any questions, direct them to Courtney Karmelita at cec5032@psu.edu.

Join the New Student Orientation O-Team
University Park

Interested in helping join the Class of 2022 to Penn State? Join the Orientation Team! We are seeking diverse, dedicated, enthusiastic, resourceful, and motivated students to join our 2018 Orientation Team (OTeam).  New Student Orientation (NSO) begins the transition to Penn State and the OTeam makes the difference for new students and their families. Members of the OTeam will serve as group facilitators, resource persons, role models, and ambassadors for Penn State during NSO. You can learn more about the Orientation Team by visiting oteam.psu.edu.