III. Instruction

Instructional Resources and Information

Confidentiality of Student Records

Information from records, files, and data directly related to a student may not be disclosed by any means (including telephone) to individuals or agencies outside the University without the consent of the student in writing, except in the case of specifically designated educational and governmental officials as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. Information contained in such records may be shared within the University by University officials with "legitimate educational interests" in such information. It is important for instructors to protect student confidentiality when listing class exam grades or returning class projects. Additional information is available by referring to University Administrative Policy AD-11 or N-1 of the Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual. Guidelines for adhering to the federal legislation are available from the Office of Undergraduate Education in 417 Old Main, 814-863-1864.

Holidays and Religious Holidays

The following holidays are established by the University: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and five additional holidays in December varying in accordance with the day December 25 occurs. (Note: The College of Medicine utilizes service days in lieu of the additional December holidays.)

Faculty members are expected to entertain requests for exemptions from class attendance for purposes of religious observances. In that regard, the Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs in the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center publishes a list of holy days of the major world religions for which observance may require a student to depart from his or her normal routine when classes are in session. Look for the "Holy Days Calendar" at www.sa.psu.edu/cera.

Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures

The provost, as chief academic officer, maintains authority for the Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures that govern the undergraduate curriculum and may, in consultation with faculty, deans, and other appropriate offices, make exceptions to them. The vice president and dean for undergraduate education, as the provost's agent in these matters and in collaboration with the Administrative Council on Undergraduate Education (ACUE), maintains and updates the Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual (AAPPM), which serves as an important curriculum resource for faculty. You can review the manual online at www.psu.edu/oue/aappm/.

Academic Services for Students

Comprehensive academic assistance, supplemental instruction, and tutoring services are available from the University Learning Centers (ULC), Academic Advancement Programs (AAP) and Morgan Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes (MASCSA). The Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) provides (1) academic advising and information for anyone who requests assistance, including students, faculty, and staff in every college; (2) an enrollment option for exploratory students and for students in transition from one Penn State college to another; (3) the First-year Testing, Counseling and Advising Program (FTCAP) for all entering first-year students and their families; (4) dissemination of information about advising and University-wide academic policies and procedures. Consult the DUS home page at www.psu.edu/dus for more information.

In addition to the advising services described above, students are assigned professional or faculty advisers upon admission to degree candidacy. Advisers are expected to provide program and professional guidance, including guidance about career opportunities, selection of courses, and information on University policies.

Disability Services

The Office for Disability Services (ODS) offers information to assist faculty in teaching qualified students with disabilities and helping these students obtain academic adjustments. A Handbook for Working with Students with Disabilities is available from the ODS Web site, under the Faculty Information section. This Web site contains information about commonly requested academic adjustments, answers to frequently asked questions, University policies and procedures, available resources and general helpful hints for faculty. Disability Contact Liaisons provide services and academic adjustments for students with disabilities at Penn State campuses other than University Park. For more information, contact the Office for Disability Services, 116 Boucke Building, University Park campus, phone 814-863-1807 (V/TTY), or refer to the Web site at www.equity.psu.edu/ods.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

As a faculty member, you have a unique opportunity to work with undergraduate students and join in their pursuit of new knowledge. Penn State, a comprehensive public research university, offers an undergraduate education that is available at only a few select institutions of higher learning. Laboratories, special library collections, museums, studios, and academic computing facilities enhance the instructional environment, and complement traditional classroom teaching and learning experiences. By participating in an undergraduate research project you will be introducing students to the basic principles used to make new discoveries and develop theories. This new knowledge will help build their confidence in independent inquiry, show them the value of critical thinking, and prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow's world.

Research Opportunities for Undergraduates at Penn State fosters research activities among undergraduate students by providing facilitation, coordination, and information. When matching monetary commitments are provided by both department and college, the Office of Undergraduate Education makes available travel funds for undergraduates (1/3:1/3:1/3) for participation in conferences when research papers are being presented. The annual Undergraduate Exhibition held in the spring communicates and celebrates the participation of undergraduate students from across the University in research and creative endeavors.

Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence

Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence is charged with providing programs, services, and resources that promote excellence in teaching and learning across the University. Faculty and graduate students interact with the Institute through consultations, mini-courses, workshops, luncheons, grants and custom-designed events. Institute consultants help faculty integrate teaching methods beyond traditional lectures, design courses and curricula, assess student learning at the course and program level, gather and apply feedback on teaching, and develop innovative and valid testing methods. The Institute also promotes the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning by supporting classroom research projects and consulting on or co-proposing external grants. The Institute's consultants are available for assistance on teaching or learning topic to anyone who teaches Penn State students. The Institute provides a variety of online resources to support teaching and learning initiatives, including reference materials and online publications. Program and resource information is available at www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu. To reach a consultant, visit 301 Rider Building, call 814-863-2599, e-mail teachinglearning@psu.edu, or click "Contact Us" at www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu. The Institute also provides test scoring and computer-based testing at the Testing Center, 104 Pollock Building; call 863-8116 or visit http://testing.psu.edu.

Bachelor of Philosophy Degree

The Bachelor of Philosophy degree (B PH), administered by the Office of Undergraduate Education, enables students to develop, in conjunction with a faculty preceptor, the requirements for an individualized course of study. Intended for those few whose academic goals cannot be met through existing degree curricula, the Bachelor of Philosophy may cross disciplinary boundaries that open unique paths of discovery. For additional information, see www.psu.edu/oue/bphil.

Public Scholarship

Public scholarship commits academic and creative work-including teaching, discovery, and artistic performance-to the practice of effective student and faculty engagement in public sovereignty and the democratic process. The Laboratory for Public Scholarship and Democracy is a program of Penn State University Undergraduate Education that facilitates public scholarship through its support and administration of the Intercollege Minor in Civic and Community Engagement, Public Scholarship Faculty Fellowships, the Public Scholarship Associates, Public Scholarship Course Development Grants, the Public Scholarship Institute, and other initiatives, publications, and programs.

 

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