New Parents
Frequently
Asked Questions and Answers to help you learn more
about Penn.
New 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 and orientation?
- Q: What are the meal plans and dining hall options for my child in his/her freshman year?
- Q: What are the health insurance requirements for students?
- Q: As a parent, do I have the right to view my student’s grades and other records?
- Q: How are students assigned academic advisors?
- Q: Do first-year students need cars on campus?
- Q: What are the telephone systems like? What cell phone plan should my child have?
- Q: Does it matter if my child uses a laptop or desktop computer?
- Q: Where can I learn more about campus safety?
- Q: What about mail and packages?
- Q: When is Family Weekend?
- Q: What are some of the campus program and resources that Penn Parents should know about?
Move-in and Housing Questions:
Q: How long should I
stay during my child’s move-in and orientation?
A: All family events are scheduled
for the afternoon of Thursday, August
28 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.business-services.upenn.edu/dining 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. 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 system between
July 14 and September 15, 2008. 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. You will be sent
information over the summer from the school regarding the specific set-up for your
school and program.
College or call (215)
898-6341
Engineering or call (215)
898-7246
Nursing or call
(215) 898-9494
Wharton or call (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: If a student lives in a College
House, Sansom Place East or West, basic common line telephone service
is mandatory to meet the University’s public safety standards.
All other on-campus residents are signed up for this service automatically.
This service provides a common line that works throughout each College
House suite and provides free Philadelphia local and metropolitan calls.
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.
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: www.business-services.upenn.edu/computerstore/index.html 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: www.upenn.edu/directories/emergency.phphttp://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 Saturday. Correct addressing is
vitally important to speedy delivery of mail through the postal system
and to residents! Packages are accepted from most couriers; students
will receive an email notifying them that a parcel has arrived. The
email and a valid PennCard must be presented in order to retrieve
the package.
If you are mailing items for move-in, be careful to use the exact mailing address
you receive with your room assignment. Each College House and Sansom Place has a
mailroom and a package room, and every resident is assigned a mailbox. (Please note
that if a package is sent via US Mail with a return receipt, the receipt information
provides the time that the package arrives at the main Philadelphia post office,
and not the time the package actually arrives on campus.)
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.
Q: What are some of the campus programs
and resources that Penn Parents should know about?
A: When you visit the Parents Program website at www.pennparents.org, you will be
able to find links to campus programs and resources that are important for Penn parents.
For additional information, you can call us at (215) 746-4646. The Parents Program
is the University’s office responsible for the communication, engagement and
involvement of undergraduate Penn parents.
Q: When is Family Weekend?
A: Family Weekend 2008 is from Friday, October 24 to Sunday, October 26, 2008 and
parents are invited and encouraged to attend a Conversation with President Gutmann
on Friday, October 24, 2008 from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm in Irvine Auditorium. A
complete guide for Family Weekend will be mailed to all families in early August.
For more information you can call (215) 898-6533. We strongly urge freshman families
to attend the activities and join in the fun. 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: Review the Information
about Penn page to learn more about campus programs and resources
that are important for Penn Parents. For additional information, you
can call us at (215) 746-4646. The Parents Program is the official University
Office responsible for the communication, engagement and involvement
of Penn parents.
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
Fax documents to expedite processing
and ensure their security. Use a
coversheet and please include your
full social security number. A cover sheet template can be found at: http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/pdf/2008-09/coversheet-taxID-2008-09.pdf .
For billing information, please visit: http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/billing/index.htm
Please note that you will receive
your first bill in July.
Move-in
Move-in for first-year students:
Thursday, August 28, 2008, 9:00 a.m.
until 5:00 p.m.
Early move-in for first-year students
is available at an additional charge.
Early move-in is on Wednesday, August 27, 2008. If you have any questions, call (215)
898-3547 or visit the web site at: www.business-services.upenn.edu/housing/movein.html
Early Move-in support will be limited
due to the small number of staff
and volunteers available. Cart loans, traffic and unloading support will be provided,
but at a reduced level from that normally associated with official move in and move
out operations.
Move-in Instructions
There will be unloading areas designated
throughout the campus. Plan to unload
your vehicle in those areas and then
immediately move your vehicle to alternate parking. Please be advised
there is heavy congestion associated with move-in traffic.
Complimentary garage parking for
the entire day of your arrival will be available on peak move-in days
in order to facilitate unloading for all, and convenience for you. Enforcement
of unloading time limits is fairly stringent, and is done in the interest
of accommodating the arrival of many students to an urban campus.
Unloading passes and temporary guest
passes can be created online at campusexpress.upenn.edu.
Click to “My Housing” and
follow the links to “My Move In”. You can schedule your own
passes and bring them along. They
will be validated upon your arrival.
This service will become available
beginning in early July.
You are strongly encouraged to bring
a hand truck or similar moving-type
equipment.
A limited number of carts are available
for move-in. To borrow a cart, visit
the Information Center in your building or the cart tent or table located
near your building.
If you plan to mail items to campus
be sure to time the arrival of these
packages to arrive at or after move-in,
due to lack of storage space for
the high volume of parcels shipped
at this time of the year. The University
has arranged special pick up locations
for UPS Ground parcels. Times and places will be posted on campus. There
are several notification methods: a slip will be placed in a student’s
mailbox, an email will be sent by the mail staff, lists
of recipients of packages that have
arrived will be posted at several
locations.
If you do not pick up your UPS Ground
package the day it arrives it will
be moved to your area package room.