208 Hammond Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-1033
advisor@engr.psu.edu
Academic advising for students registered in the College of Engineering in pre-
major (ENGR) status and in a major, both at University Park and at other campuses, is described below.
Regardless of their campus location or major status, students may always contact the Engineering Advising
Center for information or referrals. Contact can be made by phone, 814-863-1033;
by e-mail, advisor@engr.psu.edu; or
in person at 208 Hammond Building, University Park.
The goals and purposes of the University's academic advising program are defined in
Section 32-00 of the University Faculty
Senate Policies. Section 32-30 describes the responsibility of advisers and advisees in the
advising process. The role of the student advisee in the academic advising process, as described by
the policy, is repeated here:
- Acquire the information needed to assume final responsibility for course scheduling, program
planning, and the successful completion of all graduation requirements.
- Seek the academic and career information needed to meet educational goals.
- Become knowledgeable about the relevant policies, procedures, and rules of the university,
college, and academic program.
- Be prepared with accurate information and relevant materials when contacting the adviser.
- Consult with the adviser at least once a semester to decide on courses, review the
accuracy of the audit, check progress towards graduation, and discuss the suitability of other educational
opportunities provided by the university.
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ACADEMIC ADVISING FOR STUDENTS IN PRE-MAJOR (ENGR) STATUS AT UNIVERSITY PARK
At University Park, the advisers of the Engineering Advising Center (EAC) in 208
Hammond Building provide academic advising to College of Engineering students who are in ENGR
status (not officially in a major).
Advisers:
In accordance to the University's policy on academic advising, with the exception of Schreyer
Scholars, the following are designated as the official advisers for ENGR students.
- Students interested in a particular major: Faculty
adviser assigned to the EAC from that major. For the name of the faculty member and his/her scheduled
hours in the EAC, go to EAC Faculty Advisers. To request an appointment,
go to EAC Appointment Request
System.
- Students who are not certain or do not know what
major to pursue: One of the following two professional advisers:
- Students whose last names begin with A to L: Bonnie
Benjamin
- Students whose last names begin with M to Z: Gail
Kamon
To request an appointment with either Bonnie Benjamin or Gail Kamon, go to
EAC Appointment Request System.
ENGR students at University Park are free to seek academic advising from any of the
above members of the EAC advising staff, at any time. They are not confined or limited to their
assigned adviser. Also, Bonnie Benjamin and Gail Kamon are available for counseling
and discussion of non-academic matters. Long term problems and certain issues will be referred
to relevant University resources.
Schreyer Scholars:
Scholars who wish to be advised by a faculty
member in a particular major are assigned to a scholar's adviser in the major of their choice.
Scholars' advisers are available in each department. Dr. Jean Landa Pytel, Assistant Dean for Student
Services, is the faculty adviser for Schreyer Scholars in ENGR status who are uncertain of their
major, are exploring major choices, and/or do not wish to be advised in a particular department.
To request an appointment with Dr. Pytel, please call 814-865-7539
or contact Ms. Nancy Witherite at nsw1@psu.edu.
Process:
During each meeting with an adviser, notes are
made in a student file about the topics discussed and information distributed. The files for
ENGR students at University Park are kept in the EAC. The files for Schreyer Scholars are kept by
their advisers in their respective departments.
Schreyer Scholars in ENGR status who wish to change the department from which they
receive academic advising must notify the Engineering Advising Center of the department to which
their file should be sent.
Once students are admitted to a major in the College of Engineering, they will be
assigned to a faculty adviser in that major and their files will be forwarded to that department.
Meeting with an Adviser:
Students should meet with an adviser at least once a
semester.
To schedule an appointment with an adviser in the EAC, go to EAC Appointment Request System, call
814-863-1033 or stop in 208 Hammond Building. Appointments
are made at half-hour intervals, with the first appointment at 8:00 AM and the last one at 4:30 PM on week
days. Students may also drop in at the EAC to talk to the first available adviser, or to a particular
individual they wish to see, if that adviser is available. In
case of urgent need
or an emergency, please come to or call the EAC immediately.
Schreyer Scholars should also meet with their adviser at least once a semester. Each
scholar's adviser will indicate how appointments and/or visits are to be made. Dean Pytel's advisees
should call 814-865-7539 for an appointment or drop in at 208
Hammond Building to check on availability.
During peak demand times such as the first few days of the fall and spring semesters and
the three days preceding the late drop deadline, the scheduling of appointments with advisoes in the EAC
is limited. Instead, most students are seen on a first-come-first-served, walk-in basis. Students are
therefore urged to see an adviser as soon as any problem arises or as soon as they start considering a
late drop of any course. The drop action may be made on eLion by the student. All students who are
considering withdrawing from the University should consult with their adviser. After such consultation,
the withdrawal form can be completed and brought to the EAC for Dean Pytel's signature or completed on
eLion.
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ACADEMIC ADVISING FOR STUDENTS IN PRE-MAJOR (ENGR) STATUS AT COMMONWEALTH CAMPUSES
All College of Engineering students at locations other than University Park are assigned
a faculty adviser at their location, where their files are kept. Students should see their adviser
at least once a semester. For the name of
their faculty adviser, students must
check with the appropriate office at their location. In addition, the Engineering Advising Center
at University Park is a resource for College of Engineering students who are located at commonwealth
campuses. To contact an adviser in the EAC at University Park, please call 814-863-1033 or
e-mail advisor@engr.psu.edu.
Students retain their academic adviser at their location until they change to
University Park. All ENGR students and those who have early admission to a major continue to be advised
at their location.
The College of Engineering is represented at each Penn State location by a college
Contact and Referral Faculty member. Please see this faculty member for any College of Engineering related
issue. For the identity of representative at each location, go to Contact and
Referral Representatives.
Once students are approved for a change of location (assignment) to University Park,
their files should be forwarded to the appropriate department. If a student is approved to move to
University Park while still in ENGR status, his or her file will be sent to and retained in the
EAC, where the student will then receive academic advising.
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ACADEMIC ADVISING FOR STUDENTS IN A MAJOR
Upon being admitted to a major in the College of Engineering, students will be assigned
a faculty adviser in their major. Students will be notified of the identity of their assigned adviser by
their department. If a student does not receive such notification or if the information is lost, he or
she should contact the departmental undergraduate support staff for the identity of his or her
faculty adviser.
For students in a major, the Engineering Advising Center becomes a general resource
for information, help, and referrals.
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POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND THE UNIVERSITY
For information about College of Engineering and University policies and procedures
that are relevant to student records, status, and progress toward completing degree requirements, go to
Student Actions.
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