UNIVERSITY PARENT
GUIDE
2011 University of Pennsylvania
2012
CAMPUS RESOURCES – LOCAL INSIGHT – HELPFUL INFORMATION
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Penn Guide
Comprehensive advice, information for campus success
Welcome to Penn!
Introduction to Penn
Penn History
Academic Advising
Career Services
Penn’s Alumni Organizations for Students
University Life
Housing
Student Health Service
Safety
UPennAlert
Student Registration and Financial Services
PennCard
PennCash
Penn Bookstore
Dining Services
Computer Connection
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Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
Penn Abroad
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Philadelphia Community
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PENN GUIDE
PENN GUIDE
Introduction to Penn
Welcome to Penn!
At the University of Pennsylvania,
you’ll find a historic, Ivy League school
with highly selective admissions and a
history of innovation in interdisciplinary
education and scholarship. You’ll also find
a picturesque campus amidst a dynamic
city and a world-class research institution.
Intellectual rigor and
a practical outlook
Penn carries on the principles and
spirit of its founder, Benjamin Franklin:
entrepreneurship, innovation,
invention, outreach, and a pragmatic
love of knowledge. Franklin’s practical
outlook has remained a driving force
in the university’s development.
A singular campus
With its green lawns and landmark
architecture, our beautiful West
Philadelphia campus houses all of Penn’s
activities, from student life, athletics, and
academics to research, scholarship, and
cultural life. All of Penn’s 12 schools are
located within walking distance of one
another. This geographical unity, unique
among Ivy League schools, supports and
fosters Penn’s interdisciplinary approach
to education, scholarship, and research.
A vibrant city
Penn’s picturesque campus is situated
near the heart of Philadelphia, a vital
and lively city. Our students and
faculty enjoy both campus life and the
expansive cultural offerings of the city.
Penn makes a substantial investment
in its surrounding neighborhood and
offers ways for students and faculty
to make community service part of
their educational experience.
As Penn Parents, you are truly members of the Penn
community, and we invite you to join with your children in
taking advantage of the richness of the Penn experience.
Welcome to Penn!
As Penn Parents, you are truly members of
the Penn community full of bright students,
engaged alumni and fellow proud parents.
Therefore, we invite you to join your
student in taking advantage of the rich
Penn experience both on campus and off.
We hope that this guide will serve as a
tool for you and your student in navigating
the University of Pennsylvania. With
special emphasis on services available
for students, it will allow you to advise
your child and guide them through the
University system. You will learn about
student support services including
academic advising and career counseling,
as well as ideas of places to go and
things to do while visiting Philadelphia.
6
This guide is designed to enable you
and your student to make the most of
your time while at Penn. We encourage
you to get involved in all aspects of
the University – events, activities, and
opportunities for meeting Penn people.
The Penn connection is life – long
for both students and parents. Get
involved now and begin your lasting
relationship with this global University.
To learn more about how you can
be involved in the Parents Program,
visit www.pennparents.org.
Thank you and welcome again!
Your friends at the Parents Program
University of Pennsylvania
www.universityparent.com/upenn
7
PENN GUIDE
Penn History
In 1916, Hey Day was established as a
“Moving-Up” celebration to mark the
advancement of each class. In recent
decades, Hey Day has represented the
official passage of the junior class to senior
status and is characterized by thousands
of marching students parading around
campus wearing red T-shirts, carrying
canes, and biting into fake straw hats.
America’s First University
The University of Pennsylvania has the
distinction of being the first university
in the United States. While the very first
classes at Penn were held in 1751, it wasn’t
until 1765 when the medical school was
founded, that Penn officially became
the first “university,” an institution of
higher education that consists of more
than one faculty. In 1779, Penn was
officially renamed to reflect its status
as a university, rather than a college.
Penn’s first President was Thomas
Sovereign Gates, who served from 1930 to
1944. Dr. Amy Gutmann was inaugurated
as Penn’s eighth President in October
2004. The office of President did not exist
at the University of Pennsylvania before
1930. From Penn’s earliest decades until
the late nineteenth century, the Provost
had oversight over the College faculty,
but not the faculties of law and medicine.
Adopted in 1933, the Penn coat of arms
is a combination of the Penn and Franklin
families’ arms. It combines the school
colors, two books to represent academia,
three plates from the Penn arms, and a
dolphin from the Franklin arms. The coat
of arms also includes the University’s
motto - Leges Sine Moribus Vanae, or,
“laws are meaningless without morals,”
quoted from Horace’s “Third Ode.”
Penn’s sports teams are nicknamed
the Quakers after the religion adopted
by William Penn, who established
Pennsylvania as a Quaker province. Today,
we see the Quaker at Penn football and
basketball games. In the 1920s, a proposal
was made to change the Quaker mascot
to the Penguin, but the students found the
animal was too weak as a representative.
Franklin Field is the oldest two-tiered
stadium in the country with a seating
capacity of 52,598. Originally opened
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in 1895 for the first running of the Penn
Relays, the stadium was rebuilt 72 years
ago. It has been the site of the nation’s
first scoreboard, the first football radio
broadcast, the first football telecast,
and Vince Lombardi’s only NFL playoff
loss. The field was also the home of
the Philadelphia Eagles at one time.
Penn fans throw toast onto Franklin Field
after the third quarter of every home
football game. The toast-throwing tradition
was in response to the line “Here’s a
toast to dear old Penn” in the school song
“Drink a Highball”. The act of throwing
toast was adopted after alcohol was
banned from the stadium in the 1970s.
In a good season, 20,000 to 30,000
pieces of toast are thrown per game!
For two days in the fall, Homecoming
provides the opportunity to savor
everything Penn and a chance to
cheer on the Quakers at Franklin Field.
Homecoming enables students and alumni
to simply reconnect with Penn and with
each other. Penn’s football team was the
first in the United States to use numbers
on its jerseys, and Penn played in the
first nationally televised football game.
University of Pennsylvania
In 1873, the first graduating class on
Penn’s West Philadelphia campus
established Ivy Day as a new tradition set
aside for the senior class. As a vine was
planted and an invocation pronounced,
ivy became a lasting symbol for each
year’s graduating class. On the first Ivy
Day, a twig of ivy was imported from
Kenilworth Castle in Scotland and was
planted on the facade of College Hall.
Created by Claes Oldenberg and
installed in front of Van Pelt Library in
1981, the Button is 16 feet in diameter,
weighs 5,000 pounds, and is cast in
reinforced aluminum. Oldenberg once
told The Philadelphia Inquirer that “the
Split represents the Schuylkill. It divides
the button into four parts—for William
Penn’s original Philadelphia squares.”
“The Red and the Blue” is sung at the end
of many Penn events. It was written in 1896
and places the origins of Penn’s colors
as a combination of those of the best of
her rivals. “Fair Harvard has her crimson,
and Yale her colors too / But for dear
Pennsylvania, we wear the Red and Blue.”
Arm motions accompany the song’s refrain.
How many famous Penn
alums can you name?
Donald Trump, Candace Bergen,
Maury Povich, Harold Prince, Ezra Pound,
William Carlos Williams, Charles Addams,
John Taylor, Noam Chomsky, Ed Rendell,
Owen Roberts, Arlen Specter.
www.alumni.upenn.edu/didyouknow
www.universityparent.com/upenn
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PENN GUIDE
PENN GUIDE
Academic Advising
The College
Students in the College have a strong
network of academic advisors available to
assist them throughout their undergraduate
careers. Pre-major advisors help first
and second-year students navigate their
entrance into academic and intellectual life
in the College beginning with the issues of
incoming freshmen and continuing through
the student’s exploration of a potential
major. After declaring a major, students are
assigned an academic advisor affiliated
with the major department or program. All
students are welcome and encouraged
to speak with assistant deans for advising
in the College Office. These advisors can
help students explore the many options
and opportunities available to College
students, and are available by appointment
or on a walk-in basis throughout the year.
that will keep their options open for
as long as possible. This is easy to do
for the first year, but gets increasingly
difficult over time. You should also be
sure to meet with the undergraduate
chair for each of your interested majors.
There will be many opportunities to meet
faculty and upperclass students in every
department throughout the first year.
Undergraduate walk-in advising hours
are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Thursday from 2:00pm-4:00pm or by
appointment during the school year.
The Wharton School
Wharton’s professional undergraduate
advising program helps students:
(215) 898-7246
Fax: (215) 573-5577
apo@seas.upenn.edu
www.seas.upenn.edu/undergraduate/
freshman/index.php
The School of Nursing
(215) 898-6341
college@sas.upenn.edu
www.college.upenn.edu/advising
School of Engineering
& Applied Science
Choosing your major does not need to be
such a daunting task. First, we recommend
that undecided students define a list of
all possible majors of interest. Based
on the requirements for each of these
programs, students should select courses
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All students in the School of Nursing are
assigned a faculty advisor and a peer
advisor. Students also have access to
professional staff advisors in the Office of
Student Services. Faculty advisors provide
students with mentoring related to their
career goals, and serve as a resource for
students to discuss the current issues,
science, and practices of the nursing
profession. The Office of Student Services
partners with the faculty advisors to
provide information on registration, degree
requirements, dual degrees, minors, study
University of Pennsylvania
abroad, sub-matriculation, and University
resources. Peer advisors help ease the
freshman transition into college and
are available to answer their advisees’
questions about student life at Penn.
Students remain in touch with their advisors
throughout their undergraduate career.
(215) 898-6687
Fax: (215) 898-4043
advisor@nursing.upenn.edu
www.nursing.upenn.edu/student
www.universityparent.com/upenn
explore intellectual, professional
and personal interests;
develop suitable educational plans;
select appropriate courses and
other educational experiences;
understand institutional
requirements;
understand available resources
for assistance, and
develop personal and educational
goals and evaluate their progress.
The Wharton Undergraduate Division
office is located in the Gordon
B. Hattersley Suite G95, Jon M.
Huntsman Hall. Advisors are available
by appointment Monday through
Friday, 9am to 5pm (no sameday
appointments). Walk-in advising is also
available to address brief questions.
Please call to confirm office hours
because they are subject to change.
(215) 898-7608
Fax: (215) 573-2070
advising@wharton.upenn.edu
http://undergrad.wharton.upenn.edu
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PENN GUIDE
PENN GUIDE
Career Services
Career Services helps Penn students define their career goals and take the steps
necessary to achieve them. This includes helping students obtain permanent and
short-term career-related employment, as well as assisting with applications to
graduate and professional schools. Parents can visit the career services website
(www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices) to review the recommended year-by-year
timeline for helping your child utilize their services and for general information.
How can I help my child make
the most of Penn and get a
good start on life after Penn?
www.vpul.upenn.edu/
careerservices/parents.htm
For many young men and women,
college offers a chance to try out new
roles, to take more control over their
lives and decisions, and to assert their
independence. While some parents
are excited by their child’s new-found
sense of confidence, others find this
stressful, as they may feel that their
influence is waning. However, as
we know from countless counseling
sessions, your opinion and approval
matter tremendously. Our research
has shown that parents, not faculty
members or peers, have the primary
influence on students’ career choices.
Even when students make decisions
which they know will disappoint their
parents, this often causes them some
conflict and pain. Conversely, some
students try to make decisions pleasing
to their parents (for example, emulating
their parent’s career path), and then
agonize over why they are doing it – to
satisfy themselves or their parents?
The fact is you really can help your child
adjust to Penn. Express confidence
in his/her abilities and affirm her/his
ability to make decisions. This can
make a significant difference in how
your young adult makes the transition
to college, and then to life after Penn.
Self-confidence is a fundamental asset
in any field of endeavor, and one way we
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all develop it is by knowing that there’s
someone important who believes in us.
Encourage your child to seek out and
use a wide variety of resources to get
the best information possible. While
most students get information online,
information available through face-to-face
interaction is still extremely important, and
sometimes undervalued by students. The
wide array of programs at Career Services,
as well as our network of alumni/alumnae
career advisors, makes this information
easy to get. In addition, by virtue of
being at Penn, students have a myriad
of wonderful resources to use. Faculty,
house deans, advisors, and counselors
in Career Services and other university
departments are all available to help
your child think through and understand
the consequences of different choices.
You may also have access to additional
resources through your own personal
and professional contacts. Ask your child
how s/he might want to make use of those
resources. Finally, just as you may with your
son or daughter, we often see students
who are troubled by career questions,
whether it’s a matter of second-guessing
a decision, having difficulty finding a
summer job, or being turned down by a
first-choice graduate program. We often
find that the best support to young people
in these situations is to ask how we can
help and then be guided by their answer.
Alumni Mentors
Alumni mentors enhance the
undergraduate academic and social life
by fostering interaction with students
and allowing students to draw on alumni
experiences. Mentoring is a valuable way
to help students with challenges faced,
ranging from interpersonal conflicts
to curriculum advising to career path
decisions. Student mentees are thus able
to have a better experience at Penn and
can begin to form the foundation for their
future accomplishments after graduation.
At the same time, alumni benefit from
opening doors for these students and
maintaining the legacy of leadership
and tradition at Penn. There are many
different mentoring programs available
across Penn’s campus and PASS (Penn
Alumni Student Society) can help your
child find the right one for him or her.
E. Craig Sweeten Alumni House,
3533 Locust Walk
www.alumni.upenn.edu/
pass/mentoring.html
Penn Alumni Career
Network (PACNet)
The Penn Alumni Career Network (PACNet)
is a university-wide alumni network, under
the auspices of Alumni Relations and
Career Services. PACNet is web-based,
and links students who have career-related
questions with professionals who can
answer them; these alums can also provide
career advice and guidance. (Through
Quakernet (the Penn online community),
we are seeking alumni volunteers to share
their work expertise with current students
and their Penn peers as PACNet mentors.)
www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/
pacnet
Suite 20, McNeil Building,
3718 Locust Walk
(215) 898-7531
www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices
University of Pennsylvania
www.universityparent.com/upenn
13
PENN GUIDE
PENN GUIDE
Penn’s Alumni Organizations
for Students
In collaboration with student and alumni groups, Penn has a
variety of avenues to provide educational, networking and
social opportunities for engagement between students and
alumni though a wide variety of programs and initiatives.
Penn Traditions
A program of the University of
Pennsylvania’s department of
Development and Alumni Relations—in
collaboration with the entire University
community—that inspires class unity
and engages undergraduates and
Young Penn Alumni (YPA) in their
first nine years since graduation,
underpinning their lifelong relationship
with Penn. Meaningful and customized
programming bolsters the community
with these core principles:
Be a lifelong and proud Penn
ambassador: learn our history
and carry on our traditions
for future generations
Stay connected to Penn after
graduation: visit campus, read
Penn news, and participate
in regional activity
Help Penn meet the goals
outlined by The Penn Compact:
contribute resources, skills, and
time where possible Understand
Penn’s finances and appreciate
the impact of The Penn Fund on
the undergraduate experience.
Penn Alumni & Penn Traditions
E. Craig Sweeten Alumni House
3533 Locust Walk
(215) 898-3097
www.alumni.upenn.edu/penntraditions
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Penn Alumni Student
Society (PASS)
A social and service organization
dedicated to facilitating relationships
between generations of Quakers.
Programming is targeted towards
connecting prospective students, current
students, and alumni, and has featured
Alumni Faculty Dinner Series, events with
the local alumni club, and much more.
PASS is a vital part of the Penn Traditions:
Building Our Community program.
E. Craig Sweeten Alumni House
3533 Locust Walk
(215) 898-7811
PASS@dev.upenn.edu
www.alumni.upenn.edu/pass
College House Alumni
Ambassadors (CHAA)
E. Craig Sweeten Alumni House
3533 Locust Walk
(215) 898-7811
reunions@dev.upenn.edu
www.alumni.upenn.edu/CHAA
Getting students involved in the alumni
community helps keep young alumni
engaged and connected to Penn after
graduation. Not only does your student
play an important role, but you can as well.
Global Alumni Network (GAN)
GAN’s local alumni groups give you
the chance to network and to find
volunteer opportunities for both
alumni and parents through regional
programming. Whether you live in
Nashville or Toronto, you can make a
Penn connection by visiting the GAN
website (www.alumni.upenn.edu/
club) to learn more about how you can
expand your circle by meeting other
Penn alumni and parents in your area.
Join The Penn Club
Parents of Penn students are invited to
become members of The Penn Club,
the only private club in the world where
Penn alumni and parents can meet in
its Manhattan clubhouse they can call
their own (www.pennclub.org). While
traveling, Penn Club members may take
advantage of their exclusive access
to the 150+ reciprocal clubhouses
around the world from the Cosmos
Club in DC, University Club of Chicago,
Balboa Bay Club in CA, to the Oxford &
Cambridge Club in London and private
clubs in Asia and down under. NYC,
suburban, national and international
memberships are available.
The College House Alumni Ambassador
(CHAA) program facilitates the interaction
between Penn alumni and current
students. Each one of Penn’s eleven
college houses pairs with a Penn alumni
class celebrating a reunion during
Alumni Weekend (classes celebrate
every five years). Students serve as
volunteers and representatives of the
“Penn of today” while alumni add insights
on the “Penn of the past.” Alumnistudent connections that occur through
CHAA often turn into mentorships,
internships, and lifelong connections.
University of Pennsylvania
www.universityparent.com/upenn
15
PENN GUIDE
University
Life
Student experiences at Penn span the imagination. The
abundant academic and social offerings for students on our
beautiful West Philadelphia campus link inextricably with
collaborative cultural engagements in the city, affording
learners a university life integrated with the world.
On any given day, there are literally
hundreds of opportunities for students
to get involved, learn, and grow. As the
foremost provider of student support
services to the Penn community, the
Division of the Vice Provost for University
Life (VPUL) fosters the integration of
students’ intellectual, cultural, personal,
recreational, social, and leadership
experiences. VPUL’s mission supports the
three tenets of Penn’s Campus Compact:
increased access, integrative knowledge,
and local and global engagement.
Through its nearly 30 student and
community service departments,
VPUL connects all 24,000 of Penn’s
undergraduate, graduate, and professional
students, as well as thousands of
faculty, staff, alumni and community
members, with each other and myriad
co-curricular experiences of every flavor.
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Office of the Vice Provost
for University Life
3611 Locust Walk
(215) 898-6081
www.vpul.upenn.edu
The Office of Student Affairs
A VPUL department, serves as a primary
source of information and advice about
student co-curricular opportunities and
resources. The Office of Student Affairs
has responsibility for student activities
and governance, University Life leadership
programs, and campus-wide special
events, such as Family Weekend, “No
Place Like Penn” Weekend, Homecoming,
Spring Fling, Hey Day, and Ivy Day.
200 Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce Street
(215) 898-6533
www.vpul.upenn.edu/osa
University of Pennsylvania
PENN GUIDE
PENN GUIDE
Housing
Office of College Houses and Academic
Services The College Houses represent
more than a century of architectural
styles and offer a wide variety of
accommodations. A student’s home
is the cornerstone of college life, and
at Penn, there’s a wonderful range of
homes from which to choose. The College
Houses network provides a variety of
programming for residents — one of the
greatest benefits of the College House
program is the opportunity to live with
students and faculty who share a passion
for a particular subject. The Residential
Programs are living environments (some
bearing academic credit) that provide
such an opportunity covering topics from
Ancient Studies to Music Performance
and Composition. A complete list is
available online (www.collegehouses.
upenn.edu/residentialprograms).
Each College House offers its own unique
combination of architectural features,
specialized programming, and distinctive
staff, while also providing the same level
of advising and support for academic and
co-curricular activities. Students from all
four undergraduate schools, in any year
of academic life, may apply to the College
House that best suits their interests,
confident that the same outstanding
services are available everywhere.
In all Houses, enormous strength is
derived from the interaction of students
of different ages, varied experiences,
and diverse interests. Traditionally,
Du Bois, Gregory and Stouffer house
an equal number of first-year and
upperclass students. Fisher Hassenfeld,
Hill, Kings Court English, Riepe and
Ware have a majority of first-year
students. Harnwell, Harrison and Rodin
have largely upperclass populations,
and Rodin is the one high-rise which is
not available to freshmen. While some
undergraduates choose to remain in the
same House throughout their four years
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at Penn, others who move off-campus
or into a fraternity or sorority may carry
their College House affiliation with
them, keeping in close touch with the
activities of their former Housemates.
www.collegehouses.upenn.edu
W. E. B. Du Bois College House
3900 Walnut Street, Philadelphia,
PA 19104-6138 (215) 898-3677
Fisher Hassenfeld College House
3700 Spruce Street, Philadelphia,
PA 19104-6025 (215) 573-4295
Gregory College House Van
Pelt Manor: 3909 Spruce
Street, Philadelphia, PA 191046004, Class of 1925: 3941
Irving Street, Philadelphia, PA
19104-6191 (215) 573-5171
Kings Court English College House
3465 Sansom Street, Philadelphia,
PA 19104-6185 (215) 898-2530
Riepe College House
310 South 36th Street, Philadelphia,
PA 19104-6023 (215) 898-2855
Rodin College House
3901 Locust Walk, Philadelphia,
PA 19104-6135 (215) 573-3576
Stouffer College House Stouffer
Hall: 3702 Spruce Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6026
Mayer Hall: 3817 Spruce
Street, Philadelphia, PA 191046101 (215) 573-8473
Ware College House
3650 Spruce Street, Philadelphia,
PA 19104-6024 (215) 898-9531
Department of Housing Services
The department of Housing Services
manages residential and hospitality
services for students, faculty, staff and
guests of the eleven College Houses
and Sansom Place. Sansom Place, while
it is not a College House, is home to
roughly 350 undergraduates. Some
operations Housing oversees include:
management of the Room
Selection process;
execution of MoveIn and Move-Out;
Harnwell College House
3820 Locust Walk, Philadelphia,
PA 19104-6134 (215) 573-3497
staffing the Information Centers
which serve as a hub of service
and information, guest and
visitor access to buildings;
Harrison College House
3910 Irving Street, Philadelphia,
PA 19104-6007 (215) 573-3539
managing keys, including
access to keys for students
who are locked out;
services such as sales of tokens
and stamps at Information Centers;
and serving as a liaison between
Facilities and Real Estate
Services and the residents.
Hill College House
3333 Walnut Street, Philadelphia,
PA 19104-6193 (215) 898-5237
University of Pennsylvania
www.universityparent.com/upenn
Housing Services works closely with the
Office of College Houses and Academic
Services to foster an environment
conducive to academic success and
enrichment for all on campus residents.
Housing Services has a Parent’s web
page with tips, FAQ’s and information for
parents about living on-campus in the
College Houses and Sansom Place. The
page is updated frequently throughout
the year, especially during times where
there is critical information that you, the
parent, should know including MoveIn, Room Selection, Move-Out and
other important housing dates. (www.
upenn.edu/housing/family.html)
Did you know you can sign up to be
on our Parent Listserv? Visit www.
surveymonkey.com/hdparent and sign up
to have updates from Dining Services and
Housing Services emailed directly to you!
Housing Services Stouffer
Commons 3702 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6027
(215) 898-3547
living@exchange.upenn.edu
www.upenn.edu/housing
19
PENN GUIDE
PENN GUIDE
Student Health Service
3535 Market Street, Suite 100
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 746-3535 (general number)
(215) 746-0800 (fax)
www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs
The transition to college is an exciting
time in the life of your son or daughter.
It is sometimes more difficult on you the
parent, often miles away, particularly
when your children are sick. That’s why
the University of Pennsylvania provides a
comprehensive Student Health Service.
Student Health Service is a state-of-the
art primary care center dedicated to the
health and well-being of Penn students.
Student Health provides accessible,
cost-effective, culturally-sensitive, and
student-focused healthcare, including care
for acute and chronic health problems,
preventive health services, and health
and wellness education. The Health
Service works in close collaboration
with our partners in the University Life
Division, and with our colleagues in
the University of Pennsylvania Health
System to help ensure the health and
wellness of the campus community.
Clinical services at Student Health include
primary care, outpatient subspecialty
care, and inpatient services. While much
of Student Health’s practice involvesnonacute care, Health System clinicians
regularly diagnose and manage students
with a multitude of challenging conditions
and illnesses of increasing complexity
and severity. Providers also screen for
conditions and risk behaviors prevalent
in college populations. Student Health
clinicians actively collaborate with
Counseling and Psychological Services
and the Office of Alcohol and Other Drug
Program Initiatives to identify students at
risk, coordinate care, and counsel students
on ways to reduce health risks.
20
Student Health Service is one of only
twenty-six student health services with
accreditation by the Joint Commission for
Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
(JCAHO) (out of approximately 1,500
student health services in the United
States). Today, Student Health occupies
a brand new medical facility at 3535
Market Street. This new space has
allowed the Health Service to improve
patient flow, enhance patient privacy and
confidentiality, and help to assure the
highest level of care and services for all
students and the University community.
In addition to clinical care, the Health
Service offers health promotion services and
health education programs, clinical training
for health professionals, and manages
public health issues affecting the University
community. The Health Service also
administers the student health insurance
program, immunization compliance, and
other research educational programs.
Since the focus of the Student Health
Service is out-patient primary care, it
is essential that students have medical
insurance to cover the costs of care and
services outside the scope of those offered
at SHS. All full-time students are required
to have health insurance coverage for
both in-patient and outpatient medical
care and to provide information about
their insurance coverage each year. As a
condition of enrollment in the University,
full-time students are automatically
enrolled in the Penn Student Insurance
Plan (PSIP) unless they provide proof
of acceptable alternative coverage.
We suggest that you review your insurance
coverage with your child carefully, so that
they are familiar with the requirements
and scope of coverage before they arrive
on campus. Also, please make sure that
your insurance plan provides full access
to health care in the Philadelphia area.
University of Pennsylvania
Many insurance plans provide excellent
protection for students at home, but do not
cover students while they are at school,
except for emergencies. These plans do
not satisfy the requirements for coverage.
For more information, you may contact
the Student Health Insurance Office using
our main number (215) 746-3535 or by
e-mail at shsinsur@pobox.upenn.edu.
Counseling and Psychological
Services (CAPS)
Mellon Building, 2nd Floor
133 South 36th Street
(215) 898-7021 (general number)
(215) 573-8966 (fax)
www.vpul.upenn.edu/caps
Campus life commonly presents students
with academic, emotional, and social
concerns. At certain times, students may
need support to face these challenges.
Recognizing the need for help is a sign
of strength and is often the first step
in effectively managing difficulties.
Counseling and Psychological Services
(CAPS) provides professional psychological
and psychiatric services to undergraduate,
graduate, and professional students who
need support in fulfilling their academic,
social, and personal objectives. Along
with health and wellness partners
throughout the Penn community, CAPS
directly supports student mental health
through counseling, crisis management,
consultation and outreach, and training.
CAPS’ counseling program provides
confidential individual psychotherapy,
www.universityparent.com/upenn
which is primarily brief in
nature and problem-focused.
Other counseling options
include assessment and
referral services, psychiatric
evaluations and medication
maintenance, career
assessment, and career development
counseling. CAPS also offers a group
counseling program, including several
supportive interventions to special
populations, thematic groups, and
therapy groups each academic year.
CAPS’ crisis management program
provides year-round, 24-hour access
for students to emergency mental
health care, and includes a daily walk-in
emergency service, a night and weekend
emergency psychiatric service, student
hospitalization assistance, and University
crisis management teams. Consultation
services assist students, administrators,
faculty, staff, and parents or family who
are concerned about a Penn student.
Mental health outreach and education
occur through targeted programming,
self-development through the CAPS
selfhelp library, online resources, a stress
management program, and classroom
lectures. CAPS offerings seek to foster
the intellectual, social, and emotional
growth of all students by promoting selfawareness, wellness principles, lifelong
learning, and personal responsibility.
The CAPS liaison program provides
linkages to all schools, College Houses,
various student services departments,
and affiliated medical facilities.Training
encompasses the professional development
of trainees in the fields of psychology,
social work, and psychiatry, as well as
training for peer educators and College
House staff. To learn more about CAPS
and counseling services for Penn students,
please see www.vpul.upenn.edu/caps.
21
PENN GUIDE
PENN GUIDE
Safety
UPennAlert
which begins with
awareness, prevention,
When students register
Please visit
risk reduction and
their property with
avoidance, and
the Division of
the Division of
progresses to the
Public Safety,
Public Safety website
basics of hands-on
they will increase
defense training.
www.publicsafety.upenn.
the chances of
The RAD system of
recovery should
edu
for
updates,
safety
physical defense
their property
is currently
ever be lost
tips, and a variety
being taught at
or stolen. The
of other safety
many colleges and
registration sticker
universities across
will also help to serve
resources.
the nation. Special
as a visual deterrent.
Services operates on the
Students can register
premise that a spontaneous
bikes, laptops, electronic
violent attack will stimulate a natural
devices, cell phones, MP3 players,
desire to resist, on the part of the
musical instruments, or any other piece
victim (supported by research). Special
of property. Registration sticker(s) and
Services educates women about “The
locks should be ordered through Campus
Flight or Fight Syndrome”, while showing
Express (campusexpress.upenn.edu)
them that enhancing their options of
by visiting “My Property Registration.”
physical defense is not only prudent, but
necessary, if natural resistance is to be
The Division of Public Safety strongly
effective. Special Services provides these
urges students to secure their property
effective options by teaching women
at all times. If they observe unattended
to take an active role in their own selfor improperly secured items, such as
defense and psychological well-being.
bikes, laptop computers, etc., they should
immediately report their observations to
RAD (Resisting Aggression
the Division of Public Safety by calling
(215) 573-3333 from their off-campus or
with Defense) class for men
cell phone or 511 from any campus phone.
Resisting Aggression with Defense was
developed by R.A.D. Systems in 2001.
This course also has its foundations
RAD (Rape Aggression
in education and awareness. The
Defense) class for women
course includes lecture, discussion and
The Department of Special Services (DSS)
self defense techniques, suitable for
within the Division of Public Safety (DPS)
men of all ages and abilities. Classes
offers free-of-charge RAD classes with
range from nine to twelve hours in
the generous support of the Trustees’
length, depending on the Instructor.
Council of Penn Women (TCPW), whose
commitment and dedication to the safety
For more information on RAD classes for
and well-being of the Penn women’s
women or men, please visit the Division of
community enhances the quality of life
Public Safety website at www.publicsafety.
for ALL members of the Penn community.
upenn.edu/SS_RAD.asp or contact Susan
The Rape Aggression Defense System
Dever, Support Specialist, Department
is a program of realistic, self-defense
of Special Services at (215) 898-4484
tactics and techniques. The RAD System
or sdever@publicsafety.upenn.edu.
is a comprehensive course for women
The UPennAlert Emergency Notification
System enables the University
to quickly notify the Penn and
surrounding Philadelphia community
of critical information during a major
emergency. This is accomplished
through three (3) key methods:
Property Registration
22
University of Pennsylvania
Personal Electronic Devices
Siren and Public Address Systems
Digital Displays.
Currently the University can notify all Penn
faculty, staff and students via personal
electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, pda
handhelds, etc.) through text messaging,
voicemail and email. The University also
has Siren and Public Address systems in
place to send a UPennAlert. The Penn
Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS) is
comprised of (13) speakers transmitting
voice intelligible emergency messages
and alert tones to the outdoor campus
environment. Penn SOS is not designed
to penetrate buildings, but will be
audible above normal street noise.
When a UPennAlert is sent the Division of
Public Safety uses their website to provide
current and continuous updates acting as
a central reference
point for accurate
information. This
method is useful
for those both on
and off campus.
wherever s/he happens to be. Your
son or daughter can also list you as an
emergency contact, in which case you
will be notified in the event of a campus
emergency. All information is secure
and confidential. Students can register
at www.upenn.edu/penn_portal.
For more information on the UPennAlert
Emergency notification system please
visit the Division of Public Safety
website at www.publicsafety.upenn.
edu/PennReady/upennalert.asp.
Emergency Numbers
(215) 573-3333 – We urge students
to add this number as PennPubSafe
to their cell phone speed dial list.
511 (from any campus phone)
Escort Services
Walking Escort (215) 898-WALK
(9255) 24 hours a day. 30th Street
to 43rd Street (east to west)
and Market Street to Baltimore
Avenue (north to south).
Transit Vans (operated by Business
Services) (215) 898-RIDE (7433)
Please urge your
son or daughter
to register his/
her cell phone
number(s), home
phone number(s),
and personal email
addresses, so that
University officials
can communicate
with him/ her
www.universityparent.com/upenn
23
PENN GUIDE
PENN GUIDE
Student Registration
and Financial Services
The Office of Student Registration and Financial Services
(SRFS) is located in the Franklin Building at 3451 Walnut
Street and is comprised of two areas: Student Financial
Services (SFS), and the Office of the University Registrar.
To best serve Penn students and
their families, we strive to make SRFS
easy and accessible via online tools,
telephone, email, and drop-in centers.
The Office of the
University Registrar
www.upenn.edu/registrar
Your student will interact with this office
mostly online through Penn InTouch to
search and register for courses, find a
classroom, check for exam locations, get
grades and much more. (Penn InTouch is
your student’s secure gateway to personal
academic and financial information.) There
are also times when your son or daughter
may need to stop in to request a transcript
or a verification letter. For quick answers
to general questions, use askBEN, our
24/7 question and answer tool, located
on each page of the Registrar’s website.
Student Financial Services (SFS)
www.sfs.upenn.edu
Student Financial Services provides
financial services related to your
student’s educational expenses, including
financial aid, student employment,
loans and payment plans, and billing.
Recognizing customer service as its top
priority, the Student Financial Services
Counseling and Contact Centers handle a
myriad of calls and email correspondence
on a daily basis. SFS is open during
business hours to accommodate in-person
visits should you or your student need
24
to schedule an appointment or stop in
to speak with an Assistant Director. A
comprehensive website features a 24/7
question and answer tool, askBEN, and
contains self-service tools to enable your
student to check personal student financial
information at his/her convenience.
Financial Aid
All financial aid awarded by Penn is
based on financial need, as determined
by Student Financial Services. Penn is
one of the few schools to offer loan-free
financial aid awards to undergraduate
dependent students who are pursuing
their first degree. To apply for needbased aid, students must submit
financial aid applications as well as
parent and student tax returns. Please
visit the SFS website for application
details and information on need-based
scholarships and grants, work-study jobs
and the optional Federal Direct Loan.
Outside Scholarships
Outside scholarships (i.e., scholarships
awarded from non-governmental
sources outside the University) are an
important resource for all students.
Many Penn students pursue outside
scholarships to avail themselves of
additional financial flexibility. More
information on outside scholarships
can be found on the SFS website.
About Your Student’s Bill
Penn.Pay is Penn’s electronic billing
system through which your student
receives his/her student account bill.
Your student can review new daily
activity and opt to pay his/her bill online,
securely and efficiently. To comply with
federal regulations (FERPA), your student
must invite you to be an “other payer”
in order for you to access Penn.Pay.
Your student’s first bill will be sent
June 29, 2011 and is due July 29, 2011.
Your student will receive paper billing
statements only for the first two months
at the street address we have on record.
In addition, an email notification will be
sent to your student’s University email
address and any other addresses added
to Penn.Pay. Beginning in September, your
student and other payers will only receive
email notifications when a new monthly
statement is ready to view on Penn.Pay.
Note that your student may charge ancillary
purchases (e.g. bookstore, Computer
Connection and some dining facilities) to
their student account using their PennCard
and will be billed on a monthly basis.
Full payment of the student account
bill is due by the date indicated on the
statement. Students are responsible
for paying any amounts not covered
by financial aid, federal loans, outside
scholarships, or payment plans. A
late payment penalty of 1.5% of any
past due balance will be assessed. A
past due balance may result in your
student’s account being placed on
financial hold, which restricts future
registration, diplomas and transcripts.
Payment options include online payment
from a U.S. checking or savings account
or your American Express® card (a 2%
convenience fee applies and appears
on your American Express statement).
Personal checks are also accepted
through mail or in person, or funds can be
sent via a wire transfer. See our website
for additional details about the student
account bill, including a billing schedule.
Must-Do List
We strongly encourage you to review
the SFS Must-Do List with your student
and have him/her complete it as soon as
possible. The Must-Do List addresses your
student’s safety on campus, privacy rights,
signing up for Penn.Pay, and enrolling in
direct deposit for easy payment of workstudy funds and student account refunds.
See the Must-Do on the SFS website.
Financing and Payment Plans
Payment plans are available to assist
with your student’s educational
expenses. Families can select one
plan, or combine several, to meet their
needs. Federal loan programs (Federal
Direct Loan for students and Direct
PLUS Loan for parents) usually offer
the best rates, fees and repayment
benefits. Payment plans that do not
charge interest include the Penn Monthly
Budget Plan and the Tuition Prepayment
Plan. See our website for details.
University of Pennsylvania
www.universityparent.com/upenn
25
PENN GUIDE
PENN GUIDE
PennCard Access Code
PennCard
The PennCard Access Code (PAC)
is the four digit number used in
conjunction with the PennCard (the
University’s identification card) to
access certain services at Penn such
as admittance to residential buildings.
A PAC is randomly assigned to each
student. To find out a PAC go to
campusexpress.upenn.edu and click
on PAC information before logging in.
The PennCard is the official University
of Pennsylvania identification card
for students, faculty, staff and other
members and visitors of the Penn
community. The PennCard is also used
for many services including building
access, library services, campus
transit, ATM and debit card privileges,
dining meal plans and Dining Dollars,
recreational facility access, SFS line
of credit, and PennCash purchases.
Notary services, passport photos
and postage stamps are additional
convenient options that are
available throughout the year at the
PennCard center, located on the
first floor of the Franklin Building,
3451 Walnut Street, Suite 150.
Q: How does a new student
apply for a PennCard?
A: The fastest and easiest way is for
the new student to log in to Campus
Express Online at campusexpess.
upenn.edu and click Apply for
PennCard in the My PennCard tab.
Other ways to apply are as follows:
26
Mail in the application included
in the Campus Express mailing
with a paper photo that meets
the requirements detailed in the
Campus Express Brochure.
Apply in person and have the
photo taken at the Campus
Express Center in Houston Hall
during New Student Orientation,
although we strongly encourage
students to submit a digital
photo early through Campus
Express Online so we can have
their card ready for pick-up.
Students who arrive on
campus after NSO should
stop by the PennCard Center
in the Franklin Building.
PennCash
PennCash is an easy, fast, and smart
way to make “cash free” purchases
within the Penn community. As a
declining balance account that is a
built-in feature of PennCards, students
may easily load value onto a PennCash
account, and it’s immediately available
for spending at campus locations
Q: Where does a new student
pick up their PennCard?
such as the Penn Bookstore, Campus
Dining, Penn Computer Connection
and many College House operated
cafes and stores. The easiest and
fastest way to load PennCash is to
go to www.upenn.edu/penncash and
use a Visa, MasterCard, or transfer
from the Student Financial Services
line of credit. Students can also grant
access to family members for the online
PennCash account, so that they may add
value and view the account activity.
Q: How safe is PennCash?
A: New fall students should submit their
PennCard application and photo within two
weeks of receiving their Campus Express
brochure — that way, their PennCard
will be ready for pick up at the Campus
Express Center in Houston Hall during
New Student Orientation. If a new student
submits their application and photo later
in the summer, their card will probably be
ready for pick-up at the Campus Express
Center, so check with Campus Express
during move-in. But, it’s always best to
submit the PennCard application and photo
as early as possible. Important: Students
must pick up their own PennCards
personally, and a valid government
issued photo I.D. will be required.
A: The value in the PennCash account
is not stored on the card. If a PennCard
is lost, the PennCash account is
frozen when the student notifies the
PennCard office at (215) 417-CARD or
Public Safety at (215) 573-3333.
Q: What can a student do
with their PennCard?
A: With a PennCard, students may:
Enter academic and residential
buildings on campus
Enter dining halls and
access meal plans
Charge purchases to the Student
Financial Services line of credit
Make purchases using PennCash
Link their PennCard to a PNC Bank or
Student Federal Credit Union account
so that the PennCard may be used as
an ATM card or bank debit card
University of Pennsylvania
www.universityparent.com/upenn
27
PENN GUIDE
PENN GUIDE
A place to shop and relax
Located in the heart of campus, the Penn
Bookstore offers a range of products
that can help your son or daughter start
life at Penn. In addition to essential
course materials and school supplies, the
Bookstore has all the basic necessities for
their room or apartment including lamps,
desk/shelf units, electronics and bed and
bath accessories. Music, movies, and gift
items are available, and of course, books!
The Penn Bookstore carries more than
130,000 fiction and non-fiction titles as
well as a variety of periodicals and journals
variety of programs and special events
including lectures by Penn faculty and
nationally known authors, free movies
and panel discussions. The cafe features
freshly prepared foods, Starbucks
coffee, baked treats, comfortable
seating and wireless internet access.
Penn Bookstore
3601 Walnut Street at University Square
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3895
(215) 898-7595
www.upenn.edu/bookstore
In addition, the Bookstore offers students
and their families a way to show their Penn
Pride! A wide selection of Penn apparel
including sweatshirts, T-shirts, jackets,
caps and other insignia merchandise is
available. Or choose from an array of Penn
jewelry, photography and other gift items.
Penn Bookstore
Penn was the first university to establish
what many institutions still recognize
as the model for today’s collegiate
retail shopping experience. The Penn
Bookstore offers a unique assortment
of products and services to specifically
meet the needs of Penn students and
parents. In addition to textbooks and
supplies, the Penn Bookstore offers a
great venue for study, a snack or special
events and has a unique assortment
of merchandise for the entire family.
Textbooks
With the Bookstore’s on-line textbook
purchasing system your son or daughter
has the option of having their textbooks
shipped directly to their doorstep or
having them ready for pick up at the Penn
Bookstore when they arrive on campus.
Pick-up orders will be waiting for them in
the textbook department, packed and with
a register receipt. Keep the receipt and
textbooks can be returned for a full refund
until the second week of classes. The
Bookstore offers a number of textbook
28
Community is also important at the Penn
Bookstore. The store features a wide
options including used, rental and digital
books. The difference between a new
textbook price and a used textbook price
is about 25%. For a number of popular
courses, the Penn Bookstore offers
students up to 50% off the store’s retail
price for returning the book to the store
once the semester ends. Because used
textbooks are in high demand, you are
encouraged to make your purchase early to
increase your chances of obtaining a used
book. Approximately 15% of textbooks
are also available through our new rental
program. Renting a textbook saves you
more than 50% over the cost of purchasing
a book. The Bookstore’s on-line system
lets you know if a new, used, rental or
digital version of a text is available.
The Bookstore also offers a variety
of payment options including: Visa
Card, MasterCard, American Express,
Discover Card and Barnes and
Noble Gift Cards. Or textbooks can
be charged directly to a student’s
Student Financial Services account.
University of Pennsylvania
www.universityparent.com/upenn
29
PENN GUIDE
PENN GUIDE
Dining Services
Dining Dollar$
Through its food service provider Bon Appétit, Penn Dining offers
a variety of flexible dining plans with a combination of a certain
number of visits to the all-you-care-to-eat Dining cafés and dining
Dollar$ which can be used at retail locations on campus.
First-year undergraduate students are
required by the University to purchase
one of three first-year dining plans.
Upper-class undergraduate students
can choose between seven dining plans
to find one that best fits their lifestyle.
How do Dining Plans Work?
At Bon Appétit at Penn Dining, we believe
food service on a college campus serves
a much larger purpose than simply
sustenance. Dining Cafes are gathering
places. Breaking bread together helps to
create a sense of community and comfort.
We recognize the important role we fill
at Penn and will take great care to honor
our position on campus. We show this
care in our operations every day by…
30
Cooking food from scratch with
fresh seasonal ingredients;
Serving a wide variety of menu
items at each meal and at every
dining café, each day keeping
things fresh, fun, and interesting;
Creating great tasting, authentic
and nutritious food that exceeds
the expectations of vegetarian,
vegan, kosher, special need
and international diners;
Providing friendly customer
service and a warm, welcoming
environment to enhance your
overall dining experience; and
Taking our role in the community
seriously by making socially
responsible purchasing decisions
in regards to produce, meat,
seafood, eggs, coffee and
disposable plates and service
ware as well as composting
kitchen waste in all of our cafés.
Our approach is a simple one. It’s about
caring enough to serve great food.
Everything we believe and everything we
do are based on creating places where
students, faculty and staff can come
together for great food and camaraderie.
Parents are welcome to dine at any of the
15 dining locations on campus! We accept
cash, credit, PennCash, and Dining Dollar$
in all of our residential and retail locations!
Dining Dollar$ are funds on your student’s
PennCard which can be used to purchase
items at any Penn Dining location on
campus, including our retail offerings: YoReka!, the UnCommon Market, Starbucks
in 1920 Commons and Houston Market.
Each time a purchase is made, that
amount is subtracted from your Dining
Dollar$ account balance. You can load
additional Dining Dollar$ at any time on
Campus Express (www.campusexpress.
upenn.edu). With our new “Add it As You
Need it Feature” the more Dining Dollar$
you buy the more real dollars you save!
Please note: Dining plans and Dining
Dollar$ are split by semester, so your
student will receive one-half of the
allotted amount of visits and Dining
Dollar$ in the Fall and the other half
in the Spring. Any remaining visits at
the end of the Fall semester will not
be added to the visits they receive for
the Spring. Dining Dollar$ will roll over
from the Fall semester to the Spring.
Do you have questions about your
student’s dining plan? Send an
email to dining@upenn.edu.
Would you like to receive email with
special offers and updates? Send an email
to dining@upenn.edu with PARENTS
LISTSERV in the subject to join the list.
Penn Dining Services
3702 Spruce Street, Stouffer Commons,
First Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6205
(215) 898-7585
dining@upenn.edu
www.upenn.edu/dining
Visit the Bon Appétit at Penn Dining
website for campus dining locations,
dining plans, weekly menus, and
information about sustainable food, health
and nutrition: www.upenn.edu/dining or go
to www.campusexpress.upenn.edu to add/
change dining plans or add more Dining
Dollar$ to your son or daughter’s account.
Semester Meal Allowance
Students can enjoy freshly prepared
cuisine and use their visits at any of
our four on-campus all-you-care-to-eat
Dining Halls: 1920 Commons, Hill College
House, Kings Court English College
House and Falk Dining Commons in
Steinhardt Hall at Hillel. Students can
also take their food to-go from oncampus Dining Halls. Each time a student
eats in an on-campus restaurant; one
meal is subtracted from their semester
meal allowance. Students can view the
remaining meals and Dining Dollar$ at
any time on Campus Express Online.
University of Pennsylvania
www.universityparent.com/upenn
31
PENN GUIDE
PENN GUIDE
Computer Connection
The Computer Connection is the campus computer retail
outlet for faculty, staff and students of the University.
The overall value of buying a computer through the
Computer Connection is very hard to beat.
The store offers educational discounts
on computers, hardware, software,
peripherals, and the features, pricing,
reliability and support options of the
systems purchased through the Computer
Connection exceed those typically offered
by traditional retail outlets. Because the
Computer Connection is operated by the
University, it provides customers with
convenient purchasing options, including
the ability to charge to your credit card
or your Student Financial Services
account. Store products are aligned with
32
the recommended standards for each of
Penn’s twelve Schools, and store staff is
available to help students find the right
answers for their campus technology
needs. Buying one of the recommended
systems ensures that help is more readily
available should it ever be required.
Computer Connection
3610 Sansom Street at University Square
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3298
(215) 898-3282
www.upenn.edu/computerstore/
University of Pennsylvania
Penn Transit
The University of Pennsylvania is serviced
by an abundance of transportation systems.
Located in the University City neighborhood
of West Philadelphia, public transit stops are
never more than a five minute walk from any
part of campus. Penn students have access
to Penn Transit, Southeastern Pennsylvania
Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Loop
Through University City (LUCY), the Drexel
University bus system, NJ Transit and Amtrak,
and Boltbus, Megabus and Greyhound
Bus services. Penn is also welcoming and
accommodating to alternative modes, such
as car sharing, walking, and bicycling.
Penn Transit is the University’s
comprehensive evening and late-night
transit system providing effective, efficient
and safe integrated transit on and around
campus within specific service boundaries.
Penn Transit Services are free of charge
to all Penn community members holding
www.universityparent.com/upenn
a valid PennCard. Penn buses operate
Monday through Friday, 5 pm to midnight
on a fixed schedule and an established
route, picking up and delivering passengers
at designated stops on campus and at any
intersection with a stop sign or light along
its route off campus. Penn Shuttles provide
transportation to and from campus to West
Philadelphia, Center City and Powelton
Village within defined boundaries seven days
a week starting at 6 pm. To get around the
city and the region, students can purchase
a PennPass, a semester-based transit pass
tied to the University’s academic calendar.
The PennPass program, sponsored jointly
by SEPTA, operators of Philadelphia’s
regional transit system and the University
offers discounted transit passes to full-time
Penn students. PennPass is recommended
for students who use public transportation
to commute to campus or need to make
regular trips off-campus using SEPTA.
33
PENN GUIDE
PENN GUIDE
Penn Abroad
Studying abroad is one of the most exciting opportunities
available to your son or daughter as a Penn undergraduate.
The University of Pennsylvania advocates
international experience as a vital part
of not only a liberal arts education but
valuable pre-professional experience. All
the undergraduate programs encourage
study — both on campus and abroad
— that enhances understanding of
the world’s peoples, economies, and
environments. Penn alumni often report
that studying abroad was the highlight
of their undergraduate education.
Morris Arboretum of the
University of Pennsylvania
The Morris Arboretum of the University
of Pennsylvania is located at 100 East
Northwestern Avenue in the Chestnut Hill
section of Philadelphia, approximately
six miles from campus. The 92-acre
horticulture display garden features a
spectacular collection of mature trees
in a beautiful and colorful landscape.
The Arboretum includes numerous
picturesque spots such as a formal
rose garden, historic water features,
a swan pond, and the only Fernery in
North America. Admission is free to all
Penn students with a valid PennCard.
A new permanent nationally award
winning exhibit, “Out on a Limb – a Tree
Adventure” adds to Morris Arboretum’s
allure as it transports visitors 50 feet
up into the treetops on a canopy walk
34
that requires no climbing. Out on a
Limb was awarded the prestigious
Excellence in Exhibition Design by the
American Association of Museums
and designated a Best of Philly winner
by Philadelphia Magazine. The Morris
Arboretum is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places and is the
official arboretum of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. For more information,
please visit www.morrisarboretum.
org. Blog and Facebook links appear
at the bottom of the home page.
Morris Arboretum
100 E. Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-5777
www.morrisarboretum.org
University of Pennsylvania
Penn partners with top universities
worldwide in one of the most extensive
study abroad networks of any Ivy League
university. Every year, approximately 600
Penn undergraduates study abroad for
a semester or academic year, typically
as juniors. Penn Abroad works with the
four undergraduate schools to select
specific programs that provide students
with international experiences that
complement the curriculum on campus.
Semester and year-long options are
administered by Penn Abroad and can
be found at http://sa.oip.upenn.edu.
Penn summer abroad options are
administered by the College of Liberal and
Professional Studies and can be found at
www.sas.upenn.edu/summer/locations/
abroad. All four undergraduate schools
also offer short-term options that vary in
topic and destination from year to year.
Parents play an important role in their
child’s decision-making process. We
encourage you to visit the parent’s
information page on the Penn Abroad
website, where you will find information
about program options, credit, cost,
health and safety, among other
topics. Additionally, parents should
encourage their son or daughter to visit
the Penn Abroad office for valuable
information on the various programs,
the application process and timetable.
Should you have follow-up questions,
please call the Penn Abroad office at (215)
898-9073. We look forward to speaking
with students about the opportunities
available to help them further shape their
undergraduate experience at Penn.
Privacy Information
Penn has created an online capability that enables students to make elections
regarding who has access to their academic and financial information. In many
cases, it is up to the student to decide whether parents, employers, or others
can receive academic information such as grades, or financial information
such as balance due and payment information. In certain situations, the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) may permit the University, and
sometimes obligates it, to disclose information without the student’s consent.
In order for parents to gain privilege to this information, students may use the online
application to authorize disclosure of their academic and/or financial information by
the University. They should visit Penn InTouch, https://medley.isc-seo.upenn.edu/
penn_portal/intouch/splash.html, log in and click on “Profile, Privacy and Emergency.”
(888) BEN.TIPS
privacy@pobox.upenn.edu
www.upenn.edu/privacy
www.universityparent.com/upenn
35
PENN GUIDE
PENN GUIDE
Athletics
The Penn Libraries
The University of Pennsylvania is
dedicated to providing a wide array
of athletic opportunities on both
the intercollegiate and recreational
levels which will enhance and enrich
the educational experience of Penn
students, as well as provide recreational
and fitness facilities and activities for
the entire University community.
Founded in 1750 by Benjamin
comfortable, wireless 24Franklin and members
hour study facilities and
“There is a moment
of his circle, the Penn
everything you need to
when the passive student
create a multimedia
Libraries are among
the oldest university
project, including
is transformed into the active
instructional
libraries in America.
scholar; the moment when ideas,
Early contributors
courses, DV
teachers, and the research process
cameras,
to the collections
meet in a young mind. That moment microphones, and
included Louis
is the essence of higher learning
laptops. And we
XVI, King of
France. In the
have an expert staff
and the Libraries make
accessible night and
1890s, Penn hired
it possible.”
the famed Melville
day to help navigate
– President
the research process.
Dewey to apply
Amy Gutmann
scientific principles to the
design of its first university
We take seriously the notion
library, now a National Historic
that the four years your student
Landmark. As students, Noam Chomsky,
spends at Penn shape who they will
Ezra Pound, and William Carlos Williams
become. In the Libraries—this great
haunted the stacks. And one-time Penn
laboratory of knowledge—they have
president Harold Stassen visited, too,
history at their fingertips and access
before his marathon quest for the Oval
to the resources that will serve them
Office. Years later, Penn became one
well, now and far into the future.
of the first libraries to use computers to
catalog books, and launched one of the
Penn Libraries
first large-scale programs to digitize rare
Office of the Vice Provost and Director
books and manuscripts for the web.
3420 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Today, the Libraries boast more than six
(215) 898-7091
million volumes, 120,000 video and sound
libdir@pobox.upenn.edu
recordings, and a vast digital collection
www.library.upenn.edu
that’s as portable as your
Penn student’s iPhone. On
a visit to the library, your
student can page through
a Shakespeare first folio
and search through 80,000
e-journals and a half-million
e-books on their laptop.
We’ve amassed every
imaginable aid to research,
from the Last Will and
Testament of Lord Byron
to hundreds of thousands
of digital images of historic
and contemporary art,
architecture, photography,
and more. We offer
The University of Pennsylvania fields
33 Men’s and Women’s intercollegiate
sports teams. The following sports
require tickets: Football, Men’s
Basketball, Women’s Basketball,
Wrestling, and Penn Relays.
All Penn students with a valid PennCard
receive free admission to all Penn
Athletics events EXCEPT the Saturday
session of the Penn Relays and Men’s
Basketball. Penn students must
purchase tickets to all Men’s Basketball
games. Season tickets are sold only
during “The Line” with the sale date
being announced in the fall. “The
Line” participants receive preferred
seating at games and opportunities to
purchase away game and postseason
tickets. Individual tickets, based on
availability, will then be sold at a
discounted rate to Penn students.
36
The Penn Athletics ticket office is located:
235 S. 33rd St.
Weightman Hall
(215) 898-6151 (Penn Relays
Tickets (855) UofP -TIX) )
Fax: (215) 573-2161
Or online at www.PennAthletics.com
Watch the Quakers LIVE on your computer
via the Penn Sports Network. Visit www.
pennathletics.com for more information.
The Department of Recreation
(www.upenn.edu/recreation) offers the
opportunity for the Penn Community to
participate in intramural sports, open
recreation, adult recreation classes,
sport clubs, fitness programs, and
special interest programs. It is the
express purpose of the Department of
Recreation to meet the diverse needs of
the University community with a broadbased, comprehensive program. The
Intramural Sport program is designed
to encourage students to participate in
organized sport activities. These activities
promote participation and socialization
between groups and individuals,
enhance physical fitness, and foster
a spirit of fair play and sportsmanship
among participants and spectators.
University of Pennsylvania
www.universityparent.com/upenn
37
PHILADELPHIA GUIDE
PHILADELPHIA GUIDE
Welcome to Philadelphia
Why visit Philadelphia and The Countryside®?
Why now? Let’s begin with the basics:
It’s historic. The Liberty Bell Center,
Independence Hall, the National
Constitution Center. They’re all within
three blocks of one another, and they
all tell the story of our nation’s humble
but heroic beginnings. It was on these
streets where Benjamin Franklin,
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson
and others conversed, debated and
ultimately formed a new nation. And
in the nearby countryside, the story
evolves even more at Valley Forge
National Historical Park, the Brandywine
Battlefield, Washington Crossing
State Park and other historic sites.
It’s fun. Eating a cheeseteak. Watching
the Phillies play at the new Citizens
Bank Park. Splashing into the Delaware
River while touring town on a World War
II-era amphibious vehicle. Posing with
the Rocky statue before running up
the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps.
Canoeing along Chester County’s
Brandywine River. Sampling wines at
one of a dozen countryside vineyards.
It’s authentic. Throughout our distinct
neighborhoods, we’re eager to show
off the owner-operated boutiques that
pack their racks with regional talent,
chef-run restaurants that use locally
grown ingredients, music venues that
showcase the best city-bred acts,
galleries that crowd their walls with onlyfound-in- Philly art and neighborhood
pubs that are all about the beer.
It’s full of discovery. Did you know
that 2,700 massive murals grace the
Photo by Jim McWilliams for PCVB
38
For more info about Philadelphia, visit:
walls of nearly every neighborhood in
the city? Ever heard about the Italian
Market, the oldest and largest working
outdoor market in the country? In
the know about our 200-plus bringyourown- bottle restaurants? What
about Fairmount Park, the nation’s
largest urban park? And how about the
city’s newest unexpected find in the
lobby of the sparkling new Comcast
Center? It’s a 2,000-square-foot LED
video screen that projects computer
generated images so realistic you’ll
think they’re jumping out of the wall.
It’s accessible. We’re two hours from
New York City and three hours from
Washington D.C. Getting here is
easy—whether it’s by car, plane, train
or bus. Once here, getting around is
even easier. Center City Philadelphia
is simply navigated by foot and
makes up just 25 blocks from west to
east. It’s no more than an hour drive
to the nearby countryside—made
up of Bucks, Chester, Delaware
and Montgomery counties.
Photo by Edward Savaria, Jr., for PCVB
Photo by Andrea Golod for PCVB/Weaver
www.universityparent.com/upenn
39
RESOURCES
RESOURCES
Penn
Campus Map
www.facilities.upenn.edu/mapsbldgs
40
University of Pennsylvania
www.universityparent.com/upenn
41
RESOURCES
RESOURCES
Academic Calendar
42
Reading Days
Wednesday-Friday
April 25-27
April 24-26
Final Examinations
Monday-Tuesday
April 30-May 8
April 29-May 7
Tuesday
May 8
May 7
Fall
Day
2011 Fall Term
2012 Fall Term
Spring Semester Ends
Move-in and Registration
for Transfer Students
Wednesday
August 31
August 29
Alumni Day
Saturday
May 12
May 11
Baccalaureate
Sunday
May 13
May 12
Move-in for First-Year Students
Thursday
September 1
August 30
Commencement
Monday
May 14
May 13
New Student Orientation
Thursday-Tuesday
September 1-6
August
30-September 4
Summer
Day
2012 Summer
2013 Summer
Labor Day (No Classes)
Monday
September 5
September 3
12-Week Evening Session
Classes begin
Monday
May 21
May 20
Freshman Convocation
and Opening Exercises
Tuesday
September 6
September 4
First Session Classes begin
Monday
May 21
May 20
First Day of Classes
Wednesday
September 7
September 5
Memorial Day Observed
(no classes)
Monday
May 28
May 27
Course Selection Period ends
Friday
September 23
September 21
First Session Classes end
Friday
June 29
June 28
Drop Period ends
Friday
October 14
October 12
Second Session Classes begin
Tuesday
July 3
July 2
Fall Term Break
Saturday-Tuesday
October 8-11
October 20-23
July 4 (Thurs)
Wednesday
October 12
October 24
Independence Day
Observed (no classes)
July 4 (Wed)
Classes Resume
Family Weekend
Friday-Sunday
October 28-30
October 5-7
(William & Mary)
Second Session; 12-Week
Evening Session Classes end
August 10
August 9
Homecoming
Saturday
November 5
(Princeton)
October 27
(Brown)
Advance Registration,
Spring Term
Monday-Sunday
October 31November 13
October 29November 11
Last day to withdraw from a course
Friday
November 18
November 16
Thanksgiving Break
Thursday-Sunday
November 24-27
November 22-25
Classes Resume
Monday
November 28
November 26
Fall Term Classes end
Friday
December 9
December 7
Reading Days
Saturday-Tuesday
December 10-13
December 8-11
Final Examinations
WednesdayWednesday
December 14-21
December 12-19
Fall Semester ends
Wednesday
December 21
December 19
Spring
Day
2012 Spring Term
2013 Spring Term
Spring Semester Classes begin
Wednesday
January 11
January 9
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Observed (no classes)
Monday
January 16
January 21
Course Selection Period ends
Monday
January 30
January 28
Drop Period ends
Friday
February 17
February 15
Spring Term Break
Saturday-Sunday
March 3-11
March 2-10
Classes Resume
Monday
March 12
March 11
Advance Registration for
Fall and Summer Sessions
Monday-Sunday
March 19-April 1
March 18-31
Last day to withdraw from a course
Friday
March 30
March 29
Spring Term Classes end
Tuesday
April 24
April 23
University of Pennsylvania
Friday
Note: The University’s Academic Calendar is subject to change. In the event that changes are made,
the latest, most up-to-date version will be posted to Almanac’s website, www.upenn.edu/almanac.
www.universityparent.com/upenn
43
RESOURCES
RESOURCES
Helpful Phone Numbers
Websites
Campus Map
Penn Directory Information
(215) 898-5000
Campus Emergency Numbers
511 from a campus phone
College Houses & Academic Services
(215) 898-5551
Counseling and Psychological
Services (CAPS)
(215) 898-7021
Division of Public Safety
(215) 898-9441
(215) 573-3333
Fraternity and Sorority Affairs
Escort Services
(215) 898-RIDE
(215) 898-WALK
College of Arts and Sciences
(215) 898-6341
School of Engineering
(215) 898-7246
School of Nursing
(215) 898-6687
The Wharton School
(215) 898-7608
Alumni Relations
(215) 898-7811
Athletics Ticket Office
(215) 898-6151
Career Services
(215) 898-7531
(215) 898-1988
Housing and Conference Services
(215) 898-3547
Parents Program and the Parents Fund
(215) 746-4646
Penn Abroad
(215) 898-9073
Office of the Registrar
(215) 898-6636
Office of Student Affairs (including
Family Weekend Coordinator)
(215) 898-6533
Records Office
(215) 898-8136
Student Health Services General number
(215) 746-3535
Vice Provost for University Life
44
(215) 898-5263
Student Financial Services
Academic Advising
The College
www.college.upenn.edu
The School of Engineering and Applied Science
www.seas.upenn.edu
The School of Nursing
www.nursing.upenn.edu
The Wharton School
www.wharton.upenn.edu
ACADEMIC RESOURCES
(215) 573-3333
University Police 24 Hours
www.facilities.upenn.edu/map.php
UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS
(215) 898-6081
University of Pennsylvania
Penn Abroad
http://sa.oip.upenn.edu/
Penn Alumni
www.alumni.upenn.edu
Penn Alumni Student Society
www.alumni.upenn.edu/pass
Penn Alumni Education
www.alumni.upenn.edu/education
Penn Humanities Forum
www.phf.upenn.edu/
Penn Language Center
www.plc.sas.upenn.edu
Penn Women’s Center
www.vpul.upenn.edu/pwc/main2.html
The Netter Center for Community Partnerships
www.upenn.edu/ccp
Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing
http://writing.upenn.edu/
The Greenfield Intercultural Center
www.vpul.upenn.edu/gic
LGBT Center
www.vpul.upenn.edu/lgbtc
The Tutoring Center
www.vpul.upenn.edu/tutoring/index.php
Weigle Information Commons
http://wic.library.upenn.edu/
The Weingarten Learning Resources Center
www.vpul.upenn.edu/lrc
University of Pennsylvania Press
www.upenn.edu/pennpress
LEARNING HUBS
Civic House
www.vpul.upenn.edu/civichouse
Kelly Writers House
www.writing.upenn.edu/~wh
Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships
www.upenn.edu/curf
Weiss Tech House
www.tech-house.upenn.edu/
Platt Performing Arts House
www.vpul.upenn.edu/platthouse
MULTICULTURAL PROGRAMS
Maaku
www.vpul.upenn.edu/maaku
La Casa Latina
www.vpul.upenn.edu/lacasa
PAACH
www.vpul.upenn.edu/paach
OTHER RESOURCES
Campus Express
www.campusexpress.upenn.edu
Penn Student Agencies
www.pennstudentagencies.com
Penn Merchandise
www.pennmerchandise.com
Bookstore
www.upenn.edu/bookstore
Computer Connection
www.business-services.upenn.edu/computerstore/
The Daily Pennsylvanian
www.dailypennsylvanian.com
45
PROUD SUPPORTERS
This Guide brought to you by these
Proud Supporters of Penn
ATTRACTIONS
HOUSING
Arts @ Penn
Please see ad on p. 3.
Campus Apartments
Please see ad on p. 2.
Morris Arboretum of the
University of Pennsylvania
Please see ad on p. 7.
Rent in Philly
Please see ad on p. 15.
SERVICES
DINING
City Tap House
Please see ad on p. 25.
University Parent Media
Please see ad on p. 43.
Penn Dining
Please see ad on p. 31.
SHOPPING
Penne Restaurant & Wine Bar
Please see ad on p. 11.
Computer Connection
Please see ad on p. 13 & 32
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Penn Card
Please see ad on p. 29.
Penn PNC
Please see ad on p. 48.
Microfridge
Please see ad on p. 47.
Penn Bookstore
Please see ad on p. 17.
PennCash
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TRANSPORTATION
HOTELS
A Bed and Breakfast Connection
of Philadelphia
Please see ad on p. 15.
Penn Transit Services
Please see ad on p. 33.
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Philadelphia-Center City
Please see ad on p. 9.
The Latham Hotel
Please see ad on p. 10.
Philadelphia Bella Vista
Bed and Breakfast
Please see ad on p. 36.
Sheraton
Please see ad on p. 16.
For advertising inquiries, please contact UPM Sales Consultant
Scott Greisser at (866) 721-1357 or email: ask@universityparent.com
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