DUS News - March 14, 2022
Penn State recently adjusted face mask requirements at all locations. A masking requirement remains in effect in classrooms, labs, and other academic and creative spaces at all campuses, regardless of CDC COVID-19 Community Level designation, due to high-density congregation. Academic advising centers (including DUS offices, lobbies, and facilities) are considered academic spaces and therefore require masking.
Now is a time of year when you might come up against some academic challenges. How you handle those challenges matters a lot! Will you let your brain default into lizard mode, or will you harness that challenge to learn something new? The amygdala—or lizard brain—is the part of the brain that controls basic survival instincts. External stress (like being hunted by a lion or facing exam grades and entrance-to-major requirements) triggers that lizard brain into doing things that might not be your best options. The best learners let their lizard brain fears indicate when there is an opportunity for growth and harness that primal fear to take smart, human action. Your academic adviser can help you think through these challenges and look for the learning opportunities they present.
If you have reached a decision about your choice of major and meet the qualifications to enter that major, you can use “Update Academics” in LionPATH to process a change into your major. Students who are completing their sophomore year need to be moving out of DUS. You can review the qualifications for your intended major by viewing the entrance-to-major requirements on your intended major's page in the Bulletin.
- March 14 (Mon)
- Study Smarter Session - March 29 (Tues)
- DUS Group Advising - Explore and Find the Right Major - March 30 (Wed)
- Study Smarter Session
Have you had an alcohol violation on- or off-campus? A visit to the ER for alcohol or other drugs? Are you concerned about a friend's behaviors? Penn State's BASICS program and ScreenU tool are resources for current students. The BASICS program uses a harm-reduction and non-judgmental approach to help you explore your alcohol use. The BASICS program consists of two one-hour sessions with a Health Promotion and Wellness staff member.
ScreenU is a free, anonymous online screening tool to help students who are struggling with the misuse of alcohol, marijuana, or prescription drugs. ScreenU is brief and provides personalized, non-judgmental feedback as well as a list of helpful campus, community, and national resources for prevention, support, treatment, and recovery. ScreenU also provides participants with tips to keep themselves and their friends safe.
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Health Promotion and Wellness at (814) 863-0461 or via email at promotinghealth@psu.edu.
*Students who do not have an alcohol violation can take the BASICS program for free. Mandated students are required to pay the $250.00 program fee.
Join the Student's Restorative Justice Initiative as they present Restorative Circles. Restorative practices create space for dialogue that builds community and affirms the humanity of all involved. Sessions are held in 236 Chambers from 6:00–7:30 p.m. on the following dates:
March 17 - Perfectionism
March 31 - Forgiveness
April 14 - Sexual Assault
April 28 - Religion/Spirituality
Learn more and register online.
Looking for a summer or fall internship and interested in sustainability? City Semester Pittsburgh applications are open for summer and fall 2022!
Enroll in this unique and immersive experience to earn credits while:
- Interning with a community partner in a field of your interest
- Learning alongside peers during the EARTH 412 Urban Sustainability course, including guest speakers, field trips, and engaging discussions on current issues
- Making valuable connections with Pittsburgh leaders and potential employers
Learn more and apply now on the Penn State Center Pittsburgh’s City Semester website. Application deadline for summer enrollment is March 18.
DUS will be holding group advising sessions throughout the semester as a way to discuss popular advising topics with groups of students. These sessions are open to all DUS students and will help you to learn more about the topic and to ask questions in a friendly, open environment. For more information on each session, including dates and times, visit https://dus.psu.edu/group-advising. All sessions will be held via Zoom.
Upcoming Spring 2022 Session
March 29, 8:00 p.m.: Explore and Find the Right Major for You
Are you passionate about helping others? Do you want to gain valuable workplace skills? Apply to be an academic peer mentor. Mentors will:
- learn and implement active listening and motivational interviewing skills
- discover how to build a successful mentoring relationship and make appropriate referrals
- help mentees with time management, study-skill development, and more
- learn how to set and maintain appropriate boundaries while fostering a nurturing mentoring relationship
Interested? Get started in four easy steps:
- Complete the APMP application online by April 15. Keep Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. open on your fall 2022 schedule.
- Earn a B or higher in a one-credit preparatory course.
- Attend a mentorship interview.
- Begin mentoring students.
For questions about the program or the class, contact spc83@psu.edu.