University Eases Campus Transitions

Seven months ago, Penn State launched a “strategic plan” to deal with the challenges of operating a research university in the worrisome economic climate.

One facet of this plan seeks to ease the transition for Commonwealth students transferring to University Park. The University has formed a steering committee to improve these student transitions and has increased the flow of information to Commonwealth students considering such a transition.

In addition, they’re planning a University Park visitation day for sometime in April.

Sean Goheen, CCSG Assistant Chief of Staff, comments on the idea of a transition day:

[First years] would be able to make the critical decision early, instead of having to do it when the pressure of being a 3rd or 4th semester student and doing it for the following year. Also, knowing in the spring of your first year would be helpful for things you might not think of right away, like housing. If you know in April you want to go to U Park your junior year, you can research housing better, as 10/19 campuses are commuter only, and many of the students would want to continue living off campus.

Mr. Goheen also recommends a fall housing fair, which would allow transferring students to find apartments during the same time frame as current University Park students. If the University could implement such an event, Commonwealth students would experience a much smoother transition to life in State College.

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In order to not waste time, having a day for first year students to
see UP, especially when they may never have, would be extremely helpful. FYS
would be able to make the critical decision early, instead of having to do it
when the pressure of being a 3rd or 4th semester student and doing it for the
following year. Also, knowing in the spring of your first year would be helpful
for things you might not think of right away, like housing. If you know in
April you want to go to U Park your junior year, you can research housing
better, as 10/19 campuses are commuter only, and many of the students would
want to continue living off campus.