New Parents
New Parents FAQs
The Penn Parents FAQs
- Q: How long should I stay during my child's move-in and orientation?
- Q: What will I need to do for move-in?
- Q: How is housing typically assigned for first-year students?
- Q: What are the meal plans and dining hall options for my child in during their freshman year?
- Q: How are students assigned academic advisors?
- Q: Do first-year students need cars on campus?
- Q: What are the telephone systems like? Should my child have a cell phone?
- Q: Does it matter if my child uses a laptop or desktop computer?
- Q: How does my child send/receive mail?
- Q: When is Family Weekend?
- Q: What resources are available for new parents?
- Q: Where can I find information about my child’s tuition bills?
- Q: Where can my child purchase books?
Q: How long should I stay during my child's move-in and orientation?
A: All family events are scheduled for the afternoon of August 30, 2012 between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. After that time, students will be very busy with orientation events, so parents and families are strongly encouraged to depart Thursday evening to allow students to adjust to their new surroundings.
Q: What will I need to know for move-in and orientation?
A: Housing and Conference Services has set up a website geared specifically to answer parent questions: http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/housing/parents.html . Additional move-in information can be found by visiting the Housing website: www.business-services.upenn.edu/housing/movein.html. A guide for new student orientation will be mailed in mid-July with general information and a full calendar of events, but you may also check the website: http://www.upenn.edu/nso periodically over the summer for updated information.
General Questions:
Q: What are the meal plans and dining hall options for my child in his/her freshman year?
A: All freshmen are required to have a meal plan during their freshman year at Penn. However, the options vary based on the individual needs of each student. Please see the Dining Services web site for more detailed information: http://www.upenn.edu/campus/dining.php or call (215) 898-7585.
Q: What are the health insurance requirements for students?
A: Full-time students are required to have adequate health insurance, either through private insurance or the Penn Student Insurance Plan. The Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP) is available for students who do not have alternative coverage. Your child must file his/her selection for insurance coverage (including details of alternative coverage) each year. If we do not hear from your student, s/he will be automatically enrolled in PSIP. Students who have adequate, alternate health insurance are required to request a waiver using the Online enrollment opens July 1, 2012 and will close on August 31, 2012. Proof of alternative insurance that are mailed, email, or faxed will NOT be processed. Students must do this EVERY year. Please see: http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/index.html for more information.
Q: How are students assigned academic advisors?
A: Each student has been assigned an academic advisor who is a member of either the school’s faculty or the professional staff. This advisor will work with the student throughout his or her first two years at Penn to assist in planning courses each semester. Each school has a slightly different advisor policy. Students and parents will receive information from their specific school and program during the summer months preceding the academic year.
College (215) 898-6341
Engineering (215) 898-7246
Nursing (215) 898-9494
Wharton (215) 898-7608
Q: As a parent, do I have the right to view my student’s grades and other records?
A: Students have the right to consent to the disclosure of information contained in their education records, except to the extent that FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) authorizes disclosure without consent. In order to release sensitive information, like grades, your student must complete the form located at: http://www.upenn.edu/privacy/Brochures/FERPA Waiver.pdf.
Q: Do first-year students need cars on campus?
A: Since parking spaces are limited, we strongly discourage students from bringing cars to campus. The campus is easily walkable and there are various shuttle services available, as well as plenty of public transportation.
Q: What are the telephone systems like? What cell phone plan should my child have?
A: Student Telephone Services provides an optional telephone service at a minimal cost for students living on campus. The 2011-2012 optional service includes free Philadelphia local and metropolitan calls. Individual domestic and international long distance calls incur additional charges. Students must provide their own phone. However, most students will use their cell phone as their primary phone and we encourage students to use a plan with free national coverage, as students they meet will be from across the country. Students should be sure to choose a minute plan that suits their calling needs. For more information on Student Telephone Services, please visit www.upenn.edu/sts.
Q: Does it matter if my child uses a laptop or desktop computer?
A: No. Students find that the type of computer they choose is based solely on personal preference and does not seem to dictate their use of the computer or study habits. The library has free laptops that can be used while studying in the library, so students will always have a laptop available to study remotely. Wireless technology is becoming more prevalent and can be found in more and more indoor and outdoor areas at Penn. To purchase a computer you can visit Penn’s Computer Connection which serves as an on-campus computer retail center offering educational discounts to the University of Pennsylvania community. You can visit their web site at:http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/computerstore/ or call (215) 898-3282.
Q: Where can I learn more about campus safety?
A: The public safety website, www.publicsafety.upenn.edu is a wonderful resource for the latest news in campus safety. Also please review this list of additional contact numbers:
| Special Services: | (215) 898-6600 |
| Escort Services: | |
| Walking | (215) 898-9255 (WALK) |
| Mobile | (215) 898-7433 (RIDE) |
| General Information: | (215) 898-7297 |
To reach the University police dial (215) 573-3333 or 911 to reach Philadelphia police. The Philadelphia Fire Department can also be reached by dialing 911. If counseling, support, or crisis intervention is needed, the Public Safety Special Services Unit Hotline is (215) 898-6600. For other important numbers please visit the following website: http://www.upenn.edu/directories/emergency.php
UPennAlert: The University of Pennsylvania is very pleased to announce the implementation of a new emergency notification system, which will enable fast and efficient dissemination of critical information to members of the University community during a major emergency. UPennAlert will allow the University to send simultaneous alerts through text messaging, voicemail and email to numerous devices, such as cell phones, landline phones, fax machines and PDAs, and permits two-way communication between each recipient and the University. It provides our students, staff and faculty with an additional layer of security and protection in emergency response, in conjunction with our already well-established emergency communication methods, such as University-wide broadcast emails, online updates via the Penn homepage, coordinated use of public media outlets, and public address systems within all College Houses. For frequently asked questions regarding UPennAlert please visit http://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/UPennAlert/faq.asp .
Q: What about mail and packages?
A: First class mail is sorted into student mailboxes Monday through Friday. Correct addressing is vitally important to speedy delivery of mail through the postal system and to residents! In all buildings, mail is sorted and delivered by Datrose, Inc., an outside vendor contracted by the University to manage residential mal and package services. For questions about regular College House and Sansom Place academic year mail services, please email housingmail@lists.upenn.edu For information about off campus student package services or summer mail holding ONLY, please email mailpkgservices@datrose.com.
USPS ADDRESSING REQUIREMENTS: The United States Postal Service (USPS) has specific requirements governing mail addressing. The Postal Service has introduced new bottom up address scanning, where the SECOND line from the bottom of the address is scanned for the exact location. Below are examples of proper addresses.
| BENJAMIN FRANKLIN UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA 3160 CHESTNUT ST STE 500 BUILDING CODE PHILADELPHIA PA 19104-6280 |
OR |
Recipient’s Name Room # College House Name Street Address, Mail Box Number Philadelphia, PA 19104-6280 |
During move-in, alternate notification may be used, for example package slips in student mailboxes, or lists posted at pick up locations during this high volume time. For more information please visit: http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/housing/mail.html or call (215) 898-3547. For all other questions regarding Unviersity mail, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page at http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/housing/mail/faqs.html.
Q: What are some of the campus programs and resources that Penn Parents should know about?
A: The Penn Parents Program serves as the primary source for communication, engagement, and involvement of undergraduate parents. Please check the Parents Program site periodically at www.pennparents.org, for updates on events and ways to be involved in your child’s Penn experience. For more information or questions, contact the Parents Program at (215) 746-4646 or e-mail at ppparent@ben.dev.upenn.edu.
Q: When is Family Weekend?
A: Family Weekend 2012 is scheduled for Friday, October 5th to Sunday, October 7, 2012. All parents are encouraged to attend this event with their Penn children and participate in event activities. A complete guide for Family Weekend will be mailed to all families in early August. For more information you can call (215) 898-6533. Make sure to book your room ASAP! For a list of hotels visit: www.pennparents.org/Resources/hotellist.shtml.
Q: What are some of the campus program and resources that Penn Parents should know about?
A: The Penn Parents Program is your source for information regarding campus programs and resources on at Penn. Parents can obtain additional information by visiting the Information about Penn and reviewing the University Parent Guide on the Parents Program website.
Student Financial Services contact information
Website: http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/
E-mail: mailto:sfsmail@sfs.upenn.edu
Phone: (215) 898-1988
Fax: (215) 573-5428
For billing information, please visit: http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/billing/index.htm
Please note that you will receive your first bill in July. For additional information, please visit SFS's Parent Resource page at http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/parents/index.htm.
Freshman Housing
Application Process
First-year students apply for housing online after they have been admitted to Penn by logging onto www.admissions.upenn.edu/decisions. Using the user name and password sent by the Admissions Office, students are able to login and access their housing application through the "My Housing" link. If you have lost your username and password, contact Admissions by email to eapps@admissions.upenn.edu.
We highly recommended that students prepare before applying by reading about the various College House and Residential Program offerings, reviewing the rent schedule for room types and associated costs, and prioritizing their preferences regarding Houses and room types. If requesting a specific roommate, please coordinate your efforts and follow the instructions provided in the College House Application Brochure.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by May 1, 11:59 PM, EDT (Eastern Daylight Savings Time), in order to be considered in the first round of assignments.
Applications submitted after May 1 will be placed on a waiting list based on the date of receipt. Typically, these assignments begin after June 18 as spaces becomes available through cancellations. Be aware that once you are assigned a room, there is a cancellation fee if you decide not to live in University housing for any reason.
Assignment Process
Applications to Residential Programs will be reviewed by the House Deans who will determine acceptance into the program and room assignments. For those applicants not requesting Residential Programs and those not accepted into Programs, assignments will be made through a computer lottery process.
The computer program will review all applicants first choice and attempt to assign applicants to open beds. After all first choices are processed, the program then moves to second choices and attempts to place any unassigned student. This process continues through all six choices. If there are no beds available to match a student's request, no assignment is made. Staff will then assign remaining applicants to any alternate programs requested if available, or any available space to ensure the student on-campus housing.
Room change requests are not accepted at this time. Typically, housing is at full occupancy and our priority is to assign rooms to students waiting for space. There are three official room change periods during the academic year, early fall semester, mid-year, and early spring semester.
For more information, please visit www.business-services.upenn.edu/housing/assignments/apply/freshmen.html.
Move-in
Move-in for first-year students:
Thursday, August 30, 2012, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Wednesday, August 29, 2012 9:00am-5:00 pm (International students)
Fall 2012 Move-In information will be available at a later date. In the interim, please visit http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/housing/assignments/move/index.html for more information with regard to move-in instructions and policies.