New Parents
The Parents Program encourages parents to get involved at the University of Pennsylvania.
New Parents FAQs
- Q: What is the schedule for New Student Orientation?
- Q: How long should I stay during my child's move-in and orientation?
- Q: What information should I know in order to best prepare for my child's move-in?
- Q: How is housing typically assigned for first year students?
- Q: Do first-year students need cars on campus?
- Q: What meal plans and dining hall options are available for my child during freshman year?
- Q: What telephone systems are available? What cell phone plan should my child have?
- Q: Does it matter if my child uses a laptop or desktop computer?
- Q: Where can my child purchase books?
- Q: How does my child send/receive mail and packages?
- Q: Where can I learn more about campus safety?
- Q: What are the health insurance requirements for students?
- Q: How are students assigned academic advisors?
- Q: As a parent, do I have the right to view my student's grades and other records?
- Q: Where can I find information about my child's tuition bill?
- Q: When is Family Weekend?
- Q: What opportunities are there at Penn for parents to be involved?
- Q: What resources are available for new parents?
Q: What is the schedule for New Student Orientation?
A: A guide for New Student Orientation (NSO) will be mailed to you during mid-July with general information and a full calendar of events. In the interim, please check the New Student Orientation website at http://www.upenn.edu/nso. The site contains information on ways to prepare for orientation, transportation to and from Penn, and a listiing of accomodations near campus.
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 6:00 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 information should I know in order to best prepare for my child's move-in?
A: Housing and Conference Services has set up a website geared specifically to answer parent questions: http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/housing/family.html . Additional move-in information can be found by visiting the Housing website: http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/housing/assignments/move/movein.html
Q: How is housing typically assigned for first year students?
A: First year students apply for housing online after they have been admitted to Penn by logging onto http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/decisions. Using the user name and password sent by the Office of Admissions, students are able to login and access their housing application through the "My Housing" link. If any questions should arise regarding login, please contact the Office of Admissions by email at eapps@admissions.upenn.edu.
Applications must be submitted by May 1, 2012, 11:59 PM, EDT (Eastern Daylight Savings Time), in order to be considered in the first round of assignments. Applications submitted after May 1st will be placed on a waiting list based on the date of receipt. Typically, these assignments begin after June 18th, as spaces become 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.
For additional information on housing assignments, please visit http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/assignments/apply/freshman.html.
Q: Do first-year students need cars on campus?
A: Since parking spaces are limited, Penn strongly discourages 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. For more information regarding transportation on campus and campus maps, please visit http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/transportation/.
Q: What meal plans and dining hall options are available for my child during 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 telephone systems like? What cell phone plan should my child have?
A: Student Telephone Services (STS) 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 Penn encourages 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 most 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://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/computerstore/ .
Q: Where can my child purchase books?
A: After your child receives their first Penn course list in August, your child can purchase textbooks from the Penn Bookstore through Campus Express Online. Your child can also purchase books on campus at the following locations:
Penn Bookstore: 3601 Walnut Street
House of Our Own: 3920 Spruce Street
Penn Book Center: 130 S. 34th Street
Wharton Reprographics: Steinberg Hall-Dietrich Hall, Ground Floor
Campus Copy Center: 3907 Walnut Street
Towne Copy Center: 220 S. 33rd Street
Q: How does my child send/receive 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 mail 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/index.html or call (215) 898-3547.
Q: Where can I learn more about campus safety?
A: The UPenn Department of Public Safety website, www.publicsafety.upenn.edu, is a wonderful resource for the latest news in campus safety. Below is a list of numbers that your child should use in case of an emergency or if escort services are needed. A directory of additional emergency contact numbers can be found by visiting http://www.upenn.edu/life-at-Penn/emergency.php.
General Information: (215) 898-7297
Emergencies: (215) 573-3333 or 511 from any campus phone; 911 for Philadelphia police and fire department
Escort Services:
Walking: (215) 898-9255 (WALK)
Transport (215) 898-7433 (RIDE)
UPennAlert: The University of Pennsylvania is pleased to announce the implementation of UPennAlert, a new emergency notification system, that enables fast and efficient dissemination of critical information to members of the University community during a major emergency. UPennAlert allows 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. UPennAlert also provides students, staff, and faculty with an additional layer of security and protection in emergency response, in conjunction with Penn's 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 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. Students who have adequate, alternative health insurance are required to request a waiver of school insurance, or they will be automatically enrolled in the PSIP and their tuition bill will be charged accordingly. Your child must file his/her selection for insurance coverage (including details of alternative coverage) each year. The online enrollment/waiver period opens July 1, 2012 and closes on August 31, 2012. Proofs of alternative insurance that are mailed, email, or faxed will NOT be processed. Please see: http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/insurance.php for more information.
Q: How are students assigned academic advisors?
A: Each student is assigned an academic advisor who is a member of either the school’s faculty or professional staff. This advisor will work with the student throughout his or her first two years at Penn to assist the student in planning courses each semester. Students and parents will receive information from their specific school and program during the summer months preceding the academic year.
Academic Advising Main Office Numbers
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: Where can I find information about my child's tuition bill?
A: Penn's Student Financial Service's (SFS) website provides an informative guide for parents about navigating through the details of your child's tuition payments. Please visit the SFS Parent Resource page at http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/parents/index.htm.
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, please call (215) 898-6533. For a list of hotels visit: www.pennparents.org/Resources/hotellist.shtml.
Q: What opportunities are there at Penn for parents to be involved?
A: There are numerous opportunities for parents to volunteer at campus events such as Penn Preview Days and New Student Orientation. Penn Parents also host regional Welcome Receptions and engage in "welcome calls" to new Penn parents. Additionally, parents are able to provide integral financial support through the Parents Fund. The Parents Fund supports undergraduate education and is a vital funding source that creates unique opportunities for students and enhances programs across campus.
For more information on how to be involved in your child's Penn experience and join other Proud Penn Parents, please contact Penn Parents at (215) 746-4646 or ppparent@ben.dev.upenn.edu.
Q: What resources are available for new parents?
A: Penn Parents is your source for involvement, engagement, and communication regarding campus programs and resources at Penn. Parents can obtain additional information about the school by visiting the Resources tab on the Penn Parents site and reviewing the University Parent Guide.