DUS News - March 22, 2021

News: 

Standing in Solidarity with Asian Students

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, there has been a staggering spike in violence and hateful attacks against people of Asian descent. The Division of Undergraduate Studies stands in solidarity with Asian-American and Asian communities across the world and condemns these acts of violence in the strongest possible terms. When instances like these occur, people often experience fear, anger, confusion, and uncertainty about what to do next. Resources are available on our website to help you care for yourself and others as well as unite as a community to better our world.

DUS unites in solidarity with all communities experiencing individual and systemic violence, discrimination, and other forms of oppression. Let’s stand together and live out the values of Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, and Community. 

Respectfully, 

David R. Smith (Associate Dean for Advising and Executive Director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies) and the DUS Academic Advisers and Staff

Don’t Have an Academic Appointment Before Your Enrollment Date?

It’s OK, you can still schedule your classes on your enrollment date. Use the guidelines and resources on the Choose Your Courses page of the DUS website to make your initial schedule. Schedule an appointment with your assigned adviser, even if that appointment is after your enrollment date. During your appointment, you and your adviser will identify any needed alterations. You have until the end of the drop/add period next semester to fine-tune your schedule.

Choosing a Minor

You know that choosing your major is an important decision in your college career; it will shape your education and experiences during your time at Penn State and beyond. But what about your choice of a college minor? Minors have many benefits and are great way to enhance your education and explore a new subject. When thinking about your minor choice, it is important to reflect on your goals, interests, and how your minor will complement your major coursework. In addition, some majors at Penn State require a minor. To search Penn State minors, take a look at the Undergraduate Bulletin for inspiration, and visit with your adviser to talk about planning a minor!

Find DUS on the Penn State Go App

The Division of Undergraduate Studies is now on the Penn State Go mobile app! Located in the Academic Colleges section of the app, our page provides quick and easy access to all things DUS. Need an appointment? Click the button to go directly to our appointments page. Curious about what DUS has to offer? Browse the subject lists to learn more about exploration, academic advising, academic support resources, how to get involved, and how to contact us. Help is always right at your fingertips with DUS and the Penn State Go app! 

Important Dates: 
Resource Spotlight: 

Offices for Student Diversity

Looking for ways to promote and get involved with equity and inclusivity initiatives at Penn State? Check out the Diversity Resources for Undergraduate Students through the Office of Educational Equity.

Events and Announcements: 

Join the Outdoor Adventures Team

University Park

Do you love the outdoors? Do you like adventure sports? Then the Outdoor Adventures Team may be for you! The Outdoor Adventures Team, part of Campus Recreation in Student Affairs, provides students with a unique opportunity to develop solid professional skills, share in unique outdoor experiences, and become part of a community that loves spending time with Mother Nature. Sound exciting? Come to the virtual information session on Monday, March 22 from 8:00–9:00 p.m. to learn more. For additional information visit the Student Affairs Outdoor Adventures website.

Startup Week

All Campuses

Each spring, Penn State Startup Week brings together the best and brightest Penn State student and alumni entrepreneurs and innovators for a weeklong entrepreneurship immersion and celebration of the magic that happens when Penn State’s inspired doers put their great ideas into action. Join this event virtually, March 22–26, for exciting keynote speakers and change makers, entrepreneurial workshops, mini pitch competitions, access to entrepreneurship resources, networking—all accessible from the comfort of your home, apartment or dorm!

Find all the events and information on the Startup Week website.

City Semester Pittsburgh

All Campuses

Looking for a summer or fall internship and interested in sustainability? Apply now for Penn State Center Pittsburgh’s City Semester program, and make a tangible impact on the community and your future. The program—offered in-person or virtually—provides Penn State students with a unique and immersive experience to earn credits through an internship with a Pittsburgh partner and course on urban sustainability. Learn more and apply at citysemesterpittsburgh.psu.edu.

Join us for a virtual information session to chat with the City Semester team on Thursday, March 25 at 3:00 p.m. Register online for this event.

Apply to Be a Student Engagement Intern

University Park

The Student Engagement Network internship program was created to support the advancement of student engagement across the University, providing interns with the opportunity to serve as voices of engagement at Penn State. Applicants must be undergraduate students at Penn State University Park and be in good academic and conduct standing with the University. The internship program is open to students of all educational backgrounds, especially those interested in helping current and future students enhance their out-of-classroom learning.

Applications are open now for both summer 2021 and fall 2021–spring 2022. Learn more on the Student Engagement website.

EMS Program Info Sessions

University Park

Interested in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Energy Business and Finance, Energy Engineering, or Environmental Systems Engineering within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences? Want to learn more about academic advising in the department, academic planning, course requirements, and resources? Come to an information session for the program that interests you:

Energy Engineering (ENENG):

  • Monday, March 22 at 10 a.m.
  • Tuesday, March 23 at 3:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 24 at 9:30 a.m.
  • Monday, March 29 at 3:30 p.m.

Please register in advance using our online form. Questions? Contact Samantha Suk at sjs68@psu.edu

Environmental Systems Engineering (ENVSE):

  • Monday, March 22 at 1:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 23 at 9:30 a.m.
  • Wednesday, March 24 at 4:00 p.m.
  • Monday, March 29 at 10:30 a.m.

Please register in advance using our online form. Questions? Contact Samantha Suk at sjs68@psu.edu

Inside-Out Class Opportunity

University Park

Penn State's Restorative Justice Initiative is piloting a prison exchange program. The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program facilitates dialogue and education across profound social differences. Students will earn credit through a fall 2021 class and get guidance preparing for and unpacking their experiences. Inside-Out courses bring traditional college students and incarcerated students together in jails and prisons for semester-long learning. Spend the fall semester in a mixed-model setting, learning how transformative and inclusive education can cultivate critical thinking and pathways in higher education.

Interested students should complete the interest survey by Monday, March 29, 2021.

Group Advising Sessions

All Campuses

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 the DUS Group Advising website. All sessions will be held via Zoom.

Upcoming Spring 2021 Session

March 30, 8:00 p.m.: Explore and Find the Right Major for You

Register and attend online

Quick Question Advising

University Park

Have a question that can be resolved in a short 5–10 minute conversation? Join us for quick question advising via Zoom on the dates and times below. Some of these topics include: discussing adding/dropping courses within deadlines; getting a form signed; using LionPATH; reviewing entrance-to-major requirements; learning about general education information not related to schedule planning; and transferring credits. Quick question advising is not intended for in-depth conversations.

For students enrolled in DUS:

  • Click here for quick question advising via Zoom - Please note that a DUS adviser is only available during the times listed below. All times are Eastern Time. 
    Monday 1:00–3:00 p.m.
    Tuesday 9:00–11:00 a.m.
    Wednesday 9:00–11:00 a.m.
    Thursday 1:00–3:00 p.m.
    Friday No Quick Question Advising

For students not enrolled in DUS:

Study Smarter Workshops

University Park

How can you better monitor your learning so that you don't waste time and effort on ineffective study strategies? This workshop presents research-based evidence that metacognition (awareness of how you learn and the predictable effects of the related choices you make) can help you successfully transition to the demands of college-level courses as well as the flexibility of setting your own schedule.

For more information or to sign up for a study smarter workshop, visit the Penn State Learning website.

Upcoming Study Smarter Workshops:

  • Wednesday, April 14, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
  • Monday, April 19, 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Academic Peer Mentoring Program (APMP)

University Park

Are you passionate about helping others? Do you want to gain valuable workplace skills? Apply to be an academic peer mentor. Mentors will learn tactics to: 

  • help mentees with time management, study-skill development, and more
  • learn and implement active listening and motivational interviewing skills
  • discover how to build a successful mentoring relationship and make referrals

Interested? Get started in four easy steps:

  1. Complete the APMP application online by April 26.
  2. Earn a B or higher in a one-credit preparatory course.
  3. Attend a mentorship interview.
  4. Begin mentoring students.

For questions about the program or the class, contact spc83@psu.edu.