Engineering Advising Center
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Engineering Advising Center (EAC)

208 Hammond Building | 814-863-1033 | advisor@engr.psu.edu | Request an Appointment

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 commonwealth 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 Senate Policies. Section 32-30 describes the responsibility of advisors 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:

1. Acquire the information needed to assume final responsibility for course scheduling, program planning, and the successful completion of all graduation requirements
2. Seek the academic and career information needed to meet educational goals.
3. Become knowledgeable about the relevant policies, procedures, and rules of the university, college, and academic program.
4. Be prepared with accurate information and relevant materials when contacting the advisor.
5. Consult with the advisor 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.
   

Academic Advising for Students in Pre-Major (ENGR) Status at University Park

At University Park, the advisors 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).

Advisors

In accordance to the University's policy on academic advising, with the exception of Schreyer Scholars, the following are designated as the official advisors for ENGR students:

Students interested in a particular major: Faculty Advisor assigned to the EAC from that major. For the name of the faculty member and his/her scheduled hours in the EAC, click here. To request an appointment, click here.

Students who are not certain or do not know what major to pursue: One of the following two professional advisors:

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, click here.

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 advisor. 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 advisor in the major of their choice. Scholars' advisors are available in each department. Dr. Jean Landa Pytel, Assistant Dean for Student Services, is the faculty advisor 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 advisor, 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 advisors 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 advisor in that major and their files will be forwarded to that department.

Meeting with an Advisor

Students should meet with an advisor at least once a semester. To schedule an appointment with an advisor in the EAC, visit the web Appointment Request site, 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 advisor, or to a particular individual they wish to see, if that advisor 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 advisor at least once a semester. Each scholar's advisor 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 3 days preceding the late drop deadline, the scheduling of appointments with advisors 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 advisor 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 advisor. After such consultation, the withdrawal form can be completed and brought to the EAC for Dean Pytel's signature or completed on eLion.

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 advisor at their location, where their files are kept. Students should see their advisor at least once a semester. For the name of their faculty advisor, 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 advisor 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 PSU 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 the College of Engineering Contact and Referral Representative at each location, please click here.

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.

Academic Advising for Students in a Major

Upon being admitted to a major in the College of Engineering, students will be assigned a faculty advisor in their major. Students will be notified of the identity of their assigned advisor 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 advisor.

For students in a major, the Engineering Advising Center becomes a general resource for information, help and referrals.

Policies and Procedures for the College of Engineering and the University

For information about University and College of Engineering policies and procedures that are relevant to student records, status, and progress toward completing degree requirements, please visit the site called Student Actions.

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