Guide for Penn Families - University of Pennsylvania

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easy.
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early.
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Shop Early and Save
Visit “My Textbooks” at campusexpress.upenn.edu
to order your new (or used) textbooks.
Charge them to your credit card and/or your Student Financial Services (SFS)
account. Have them delivered or reserve them for pick up when you get here. Easy.
*availability of used textbooks is limited and may not apply for all courses.
3601 Walnut Street
215.898.7595
www.upenn.edu/bookstore

RIENTATION
new student
New Student Orientation
University of Pennsylvania
Class of 2012
August 28 through September 2, 2008
Guide for Students
and Families

RIENTATIONO
welcome
Dear Class of 2012
Students and Families,
We are delighted to welcome you to the Penn community. We are looking forward to getting
to know you and having the opportunity to work with you over the next four years.
During New Student Orientation, we have scheduled activities for families and students to
enable you to make a successful transition from high school to the University. On Thursday,
August 28, there are several events of interest for families during the afternoon, and in the
evening the students have floor meetings in their College Houses. On Friday, academic
advising begins and there are many scheduled Orientation activities that follow.
You, the members of the Class of 2012, are extraordinarily accomplished, with enormous
potential for personal and intellectual growth. You are about to enter a challenging,
competitive, and diverse academic universe. Your ability to succeed at Penn will rest on your
willingness to learn from our world-class faculty, seek advising help, take advantage of Penn’s
rich environment, and engage with the city around you.
New Student Orientation is your weeklong introduction to life at Penn. Participation in its
many activities will give you a good foundation to begin your life on campus. We
encourage you to engage fully in every facet of NSO: academic advising, Proseminars,
the Penn Reading Project, evening events, walking tours of Philadelphia, Convocation,
and much more.
Have a great summer and we await your arrival in the fall.
Sincerely,
Sampath Kannan
Associate Dean
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Dennis DeTurck
Dean of the College
School of Arts and Sciences
Georgette Chapman Phillips
Vice Dean and Director
Undergraduate Division
The Wharton School
Kathleen McCauley
Associate Dean for Academic Programs
School of Nursing
New Student Orientation
University of Pennsylvania
Office of College Houses and Academic Services
www.upenn.edu/nso
(215) 898-7000 • nso@pobox.upenn.edu
David Fox, Director
Troy Majnerick, Coordinator
Sue Smith, Associate Director for Communications
Student Coordinators
Kristine Eiman, C’08
Jason Gray, C’09
Adriana Massara, C’10
www.upenn.edu/nso
• one
30%
Cert no. SGS-COC-003949
Go Green in the College Houses
The faculty, staff, and residents of Penn’s
College Houses are committed to
establishing best environmental practices
wherever possible. To learn more, visit
www.collegehouses.upenn.edu/green.

ORIENTATION
moving in
Moving away to college is a major event in a student’s life, and we
understand that it is an event for families as well. This brochure aims to help
both students and families navigate this exciting transition to Penn, and to
provide a list of important resources available throughout the years ahead.
Please note that this brochure is current at press time, but some details may
change by the time you arrive. The New Student Orientation (NSO) Calendar
will be available all over campus when you arrive, and the website will
be continually updated. To check all dates and events online, see
www.upenn.edu/nso. You can easily reach a member of the NSO staff
during business hours at (215) 898-7000 or by email at nso@pobox.upenn.edu.
Online Orientation
Over the summer months, Penn’s incoming students can get to know their
College Housemates and other freshmen. Visit www.Penn2012.com and
join Penn’s official Class of 2012 Facebook group. Once a member, you’ll be
able to chat with others about your College House, the Penn Reading Project
book, moving in, Penn traditions, NSO, the city of Philadelphia, and more.
Move-In 2008
The official Move-In 2008 date for freshmen is Thursday, August 28. You
should come to campus early enough in the day to take advantage of
the NSO programs available for students and families. Early Move-In
is Wednesday, August 27, and an extra fee is assessed for that convenience.
For complete details on Move-In 2008, including information about
MicroFridge and safe rentals, parking locations, and tips on what to
bring, visit www.upenn.edu/housing/movein.html, email
movein@exchange.upenn.edu, or call (215) 898-3547.
Campus Express at Penn:
Housing, Dining, Textbooks, and More
Campus Express is your one-stop, online shop for many essential student
services including housing, dining, transportation, parking, computers,
textbooks, property registration, email, student activities, and PennCard,
your official Penn identification card. Log on to campusexpress.upenn.edu
now and apply for various services, make purchases, and get additional
information. You can even register bikes, laptops, electronic devices, cell
phones, MP3 players, musical instruments, or any other piece of property
with Penn Police on Campus Express. You can also buy a lock for your bike
or laptop online. Once on campus, you can visit the Campus Express Center
at the Student Services Expo in Houston Hall to pick up your PennCard and
sign up for other services in person. Dates and times are August 27 and
August 28 from 9am-5pm, and August 29 from 9am-12pm.
served each day at times specified in the NSO Calendar; since these are not
part of the regular meal plan, the cost is listed as an Orientation Fee.
College Houses
Your College House is more than just your residence, it is also a central hub
for academic and social activities. The House staff will help you navigate the
complex and exciting world of Penn and the city of Philadelphia. It is a good
idea to know key facts about your House, especially the name of your
House Dean, before you arrive. If you are a commuting student, you will be
given an affiliation with The Freshman Experience program in Harrison
College House so that you can participate in House activities and utilize its
facilities and various services. For more information on all of Penn’s College
Houses, visit www.collegehouses.upenn.edu.
Residential Handbook
Penn's Residential Handbook, issued by the Department of Housing Services,
gives important and detailed information about policies and procedures for
on-campus living. Students will receive a copy in their campus mailboxes. It
is also available online at www.upenn.edu/housing/handbook.html. If
you have questions about these policies or housing in general, please email
living@exchange.upenn.edu.
Peers Helping Incoming New Students (PHINS)
The PHINS are upperclass students trained to assist incoming students with
their general adjustment to college life; they will be visible and available
throughout NSO. The PHINS serve as resources for information on student
services, campus organizations, student issues, and many other topics
dealing with University life. Look for them in their light blue t-shirts at
every NSO event and get to know them on Facebook. In addition, freshmen
are encouraged to apply to be PHINS during the spring selection process. To
learn more about the PHINS and how they can assist you, visit
www.collegehouses.upenn.edu/phins.
Packages and Mail
During Move-In, many students receive packages. UPS ground packages
bound for west campus and the Quad may be picked up at special UPS trailers
at specific temporary locations. For more information on mail and package
service throughout the year, visit www.upenn.edu/housing/movein.html.
Meals During NSO
The $185 Orientation Fee, which will be charged to your Student Financial
Services (SFS) account, covers meals provided during NSO. Meals will be
two •

Hotels
Families often ask the NSO staff where they can stay near campus, when
they should arrive, and how long they should stay. On-campus hotels are
likely to be booked quickly; however, there are many hotels located nearby
in Center City Philadelphia. The two hotels on Penn’s campus are:
The Hilton Inn at Penn
3600 Sansom Street
(215) 222-0200 / (800) 445-8667 / (800) 231-4587
Sheraton University City Hotel
3549 Chestnut Street
(215) 387-8000 / (877) 459-1146 / (800) 325-3535
For a comprehensive list of hotels near Penn’s campus, see
www.upenn.edu/nso/2008/family/hotels.html.
Parents are encouraged to take part in Move-In 2008 and attend the
programs specially designed for Penn families on Thursday, August 28. At
the conclusion of these programs, students will begin a week of engaging
events. Typically, families do not stay past Thursday evening, which allows the
students to immerse themselves in House life and begin making new friends.
Penn Parents Program
The staff of the Penn Parents Program is committed to serving the parents
of all undergraduates. Their goal is to keep parents informed, involved,
and engaged as valuable members of the Penn community. They provide
information, volunteer opportunities, activities and events, both on campus
and regionally, throughout the academic year and in the summer. They
also publish a newsletter in the fall and spring semesters. During Move-In,
hospitality booths staffed by Parents Program volunteers will be located
at the corner of 34th and Walnut streets and at 37th Street and
Locust Walk. Contact the Penn Parents Program at (215) 746-4646 or
ppparent@ben.dev.upenn.edu or visit www.pennparents.org for
more information.
Family Weekend
Penn parents and families are cordially invited back to campus for Family
Weekend, October 24 to 26, 2008. Join President Amy Gutmann on Friday,
October 24 from 4pm-5pm at Irvine Auditorium for a lively conversation.
New for 2008 is a session called Housing 101 for Parents on Saturday,
October 25 from 1pm-2pm in the Terrace Room of Claudia Cohen Hall
(formerly Logan). Parents and families are invited to this free session to
discuss housing options for next academic year. Contact Dana Matkevich at
matkevic@upenn.edu for more information. Complete information about
Family Weekend will arrive by mail in mid-August and will be online at
www.vpul.upenn.edu/osl/fwcal.html.
RIENTATIONO
moving in / family events
NSO Events for Families and Parents
Thursday, August 28 • 12pm-5pm
Please join us for the following events that are specifically designed to
welcome Penn’s newest families to campus.
Proud Penn Parents Welcome Lunch
11am-1pm • Class of 1976 Patio (behind Sweeten Alumni Center), College Green
Join us for this new Penn tradition! Meet and greet Penn Parents Program
volunteers, Penn Traditions staff, and PHINS. Rain location: Wynn Commons.
The Library as the Key to Success: Tour & Reception
12pm and 1:30pm • Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, Meyerson Conference
Center, 2nd floor
Explore Penn’s main library which serves as a hub for group study and
research, a lab for the production of high-tech media projects, and offers
the largest open stacks in the country. For Early Move-In families, tours are
also offered at 12pm and 1:30pm on Wednesday, August 27.
Information Session for Multicultural Families
12pm-1:30pm • Room 200, College Hall
All are welcome at this session for parents and students interested in
learning more about resources for Asian, Black, Latino, Native American,
and multiracial students. Refreshments will be served.
College of Arts and Sciences
Deans’ and Departmental Reception
1:30pm-3pm • Hall of Flags, Houston Hall
Meet the Dean and undergraduate chairs and learn about majors,
interdisciplinary programs, and more.
Penn Parent Orientation Panel
3pm • Irvine Auditorium
Join our distinguished Penn panelists to learn about College Houses, safety,
finances, and much more in this interactive session. These Penn experts will
provide an overview of relevant issues and answer your questions. This
session is primarily designed for parents.
Creating and Maintaining a Strong Financial Identity
3pm • Ben Franklin Room, Houston Hall
Join representatives from Penn for a “do’s and don’ts” session on managing
your money, building a healthy financial future, protecting privacy, and
preventing identity theft. This session is designed primarily for students,
though parents are welcome.
President and Provost’s
Welcome and Reception
4:15pm • College Green
President Amy Gutmann and Provost Ronald Daniels welcome Penn families
from the steps of College Hall. A reception will immediately follow on Wynn
Commons in Perelman Quad (behind College Hall). In addition to the
President and Provost, families will have an opportunity to meet Penn
faculty, staff, and representatives from the Penn Parents Program, the
College Houses, and the Department of Housing Services.
• three

ORIENTATION
student events
Student Activities
From the very first day on campus, students are going to be extremely busy.
Penn has numerous events planned for you to become fully acquainted with
all that this great University has to offer. When you arrive, you will receive
the detailed NSO Calendar complete with dates and locations of both
mandatory and optional activities.
Calendar at a Glance
This calendar gives you a preview of NSO events between August 28
and September 2. Please note that the information is accurate at press
time; however, up-to-the-minute information will be available when
you arrive on campus. You can check the NSO website at any time at
www.upenn.edu/nso.
9am
Thursday 8.28 Friday 8.29 Saturday 8.30 Sunday 8.31 Monday 9.1 Tuesday 9.2 Wednesday 9.3
10
11
12pm
1
2
3
4
5
6
NSO Events
for Parents
& Families
Deans’
Meetings
and
Academic
Advising
Penn Life
Sketches
and
Safe Living
PennTracks
PRP Lectures
PRP Discussion
Groups
College House
Activities
School
Programs
and Academic
Advising/
Proseminars
First
Day
of
Classes
7
8
9
10
11
College House
Meetings
Class of 2012
Social Events
Class of 2012
Social Events
Class of 2012
Social Events
Class of 2012
Social Events
President
& Provost’s
Convocation
& Reception
Mandatory
Optional
NSO Highlights
WELCOME TO CAMPUS EVENTS / August 29
Van Pelt Library hosts an open house party before the PennFest carnival.
ACADEMIC ADVISING / August 29 and September 2
Meet key staff members in the four undergraduate Schools.
PENN LIFE SKETCHES / August 30
A great Penn tradition! Enjoy a fun, theatrical introduction to the social
challenges of college life.
PENNTRACKS WALKING TOURS / August 30 and September 1
Explore the sights and sounds of Philly’s great neighborhoods.
GALA RECEPTION AT THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART / August 30
Spend an unforgettable evening at Philadelphia’s world-class art museum as
the staff hosts Penn’s Class of 2012.
PENN READING PROJECT (PRP) / August 31
Another great Penn tradition! The entire freshman class will read and
discuss Your Inner Fish by Prof. Neil Shubin. Once on campus, discussion
groups with faculty will be arranged by College House. For details, see
www.upenn.edu/nso/prp.
TOGA PARTY AT THE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM / September 1
Dance through the galleries of Penn’s renowned archaeological museum.
PROSEMINARS / September 2
These great “sampler” courses, led by faculty and colleagues, provide a
taste of academic life. Register online or after you arrive. For details, see
www.upenn.edu/nso/2008/prosem.
CONVOCATION AND DESSERT RECEPTION / September 2
President Amy Gutmann and Provost Ronald Daniels formally induct the
Class of 2012.
four •

Academic Information
Each of the University's four undergraduate Schools is directed by an
academic dean and maintains its own administrative offices with advisors.
The four Schools maintain the academic records of their students. In
addition, Penn offers a variety of academic options and programs,
including special co-curricular activities such as Benjamin Franklin
Scholars, study abroad, and undergraduate research projects. Students
should consult their School, Peer Advisor, and/or Faculty Advisor for more
information about these and other academic programs.
The College
(215) 898-6341
www.college.upenn.edu
School of Engineering and Applied Science
(215) 898-7246
www.seas.upenn.edu
School of Nursing
(215) 898-6687
www.nursing.upenn.edu
The Wharton School
(215) 898-7608
undergrad.wharton.upenn.edu
Academic Resources and Support Services
Penn offers support programs in math, writing, technology, research and
library skills, language study, economics, Computer Science and
Engineering, career services, and more. Many academic resources are
available in the College Houses, campus hubs, and also on the web. The
College House staff — Resident Advisors (RAs) and Graduate Associates
(GAs), alongside the House Deans — stand ready to assist students with
academic needs and questions. To find out more about academic
resources on campus such as the Equity and Access Programs (EAP) and
the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF), see
www.collegehouses.upenn.edu/rfs.
Community Service
Civic House is Penn's hub for students interested in community
involvement and advocacy work. Civic House coordinates and advises a
wide range of student/community programs, provides information about
how students can become engaged, and offers meeting space and
technical assistance to individuals and groups working with the broader
community. Civic House also provides training and educational programs
to support responsible civic engagement including workshops, films, and
conversations with community partners. For students pursuing careers in
the public interest, Civic House offers job and internship postings,
discussions with Penn alumni working in these fields, and other
information and resources. See www.vpul.upenn.edu/civichouse for
more information, or visit 3914 Locust Walk.
RIENTATIONO
campus resources
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
CAPS provides professional psychological and psychiatric services to
all Penn students who need help in dealing with academic stress,
social difficulties, situational crises, managing personal problems,
developing greater self-awareness, and skills for life-long learning.
Students with more serious concerns such as depression, anxiety, and
eating disorders may seek assistance as well. Licensed psychologists,
psychiatrists, and social workers provide confidential short term
psychotherapy for individuals, group counseling, emergency crisis
services, medication evaluations, workshops, career assessments/
development counseling, and referrals free of charge. Call (215) 898-7021
or visit www.vpul.upenn.edu/caps.
International Student and
Scholar Services (ISSS)
ISSS provides services and programs designed to help international
students and scholars, such as helping F-1 and J-1 students understand
and comply with important immigration regulations and procedures,
reporting the arrival and on-going status of international students for
immigration purposes, advising international students on employmentrelated
requirements, and assisting international students with
adjustment to Penn. Visit www.upenn.edu/oip/iss.
PennPortal
The PennPortal provides relevant links that students use daily, from
accessing webmail to registering for courses through Penn InTouch,
viewing Penn’s events calendar to catching up on the latest news and
weather. It is also customizable. Visit www.upenn.edu/pennportal.
Safety and Security
In case of an emergency regarding a student, contact the Penn Police
by calling (215) 573-3333 or 511 from any campus phone. The Division
of Public Safety is located at 4040 Chestnut Street. It provides law
enforcement and police assistance to the Penn community 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week. Public Safety also provides fire prevention,
emergency crisis planning, occupational safety, crime prevention
seminars, victim support, and security services. Call (215) 898-7297 or
visit online at www.publicsafety.upenn.edu.
Student Financial Services (SFS)
SFS provides one convenient location at which to obtain information
related to student finances at Penn. Students receive information and
personalized assistance regarding their student account, tuition billing,
financial aid, student loans, payment options, and the Penn Monthly
Budget Plan. Financial information is available online through the
Penn InTouch link on the PennPortal. For additional information,
visit www.sfs.upenn.edu, email sfsmail@sfs.upenn.edu or call
(215) 898-1988.
• five

ORIENTATION
campus resources
Student Health Service (SHS)
The Student Health Service provides a variety of clinical services including
Primary Care, Women’s Health, Sports Medicine, and Nutrition. It also
coordinates public health programs for students, and administers the
University’s immunization and insurance requirements. Each year, all
students must enroll in the University insurance plan or submit
documentation showing an acceptable level of coverage. For more
information, call the Student Health Service at (215) 746-3535 or visit
www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs.
Student Organizations
Participating in student organizations will enrich your academic and social
life. At Penn, there are over 400 groups to join. On Tuesday, September 2,
representatives from many of these groups will be on Locust Walk with
more information. For an online listing of Penn's student organizations, see
www.vpul.upenn.edu/osl.
Student Records and Privacy
Parents and students should consider a number of privacy issues as students
prepare to come to Penn. For example, in many cases, federal law and Penn
policy prohibit disclosure of personal information about students to anyone,
even to their parents. This means that parents cannot gain access to their
child’s grades, financial status, or other information held by Penn, unless the
student provides consent to release such data. Because Penn respects
students’ right to privacy, we provide students with the ability to allow
parents and others to access otherwise protected information.
We strongly encourage parents and students to discuss this issue. Once
students have made decisions about who may access their personal
information, they can transmit those decisions to the University via an
online application accessible through the PennPortal found under “My
Privacy Settings.”
Students also can decide whether or not to show their contact information
in Penn's online directory publicly or separately to Penn faculty, staff, or
students. To update listings in Penn's online directory, visit the PennPortal
and view options under “My Privacy Settings.”
For other privacy issues at Penn and beyond, we encourage you to visit
Penn’s Privacy website at www.upenn.edu/privacy.
Student Responsibilities
and Conduct
Students have the responsibility
of abiding by all policies of the
University as well as city, state,
and federal law. Many of the
applicable University policies
are included in The
Penn Book, which you
may view at www.vpul.
upenn.edu/osl/penn
book.html.
The Office of Student Conduct (OSC)
is the disciplinary office for the
University and it handles allegations
of cheating and misconduct. If a
complaint is filed against a student,
OSC contacts the student and conducts
an investigation. OSC also
strives to resolve issues through
mediation whenever possible. To learn
more, visit www.upenn.edu/osc.
Weingarten Learning
Resources Center:
Office of Learning Resources and
Student Disabilities Services
The Weingarten Learning Resources Center is comprised of two offices: the
Office of Learning Resources and Student Disabilities Services. The Office
of Learning Resources provides professional instruction in universityrelevant
skills such as academic reading, writing, and study strategies.
Topics often addressed during individual instruction or group workshops
include time management, taking lecture and text notes, exam preparation,
and writing. Student Disabilities Services provides comprehensive
professional services and programs for students with disabilities to ensure
equal academic opportunities and participation in University-sponsored
programs. Consultation, accommodations, auxiliary services, and accessible
parking for students with physical and/or learning disabilities are also
provided. All services are free and confidential. The Weingarten Center
is located in Stouffer Commons, Suite 300, (215) 573-9235 (Voice),
(215) 746-6320 (TDD) and online at www.vpul.upenn.edu/lrc.
Class of 2012 T-Shirts
You can declare yourself a member of Penn’s Class of 2012 by ordering a
t-shirt from the University Bookstore right now. Visit the website at
www.upenn.edu/bookstore or visit the store in person when you arrive.
The Bookstore is located at the corner of 36th and Walnut streets.
six •