Freshmen and transfer students are not the only newcomers who are trying to get acquainted with the University this week. New graduate students are arriving as well, and the Graduate Student Association is sponsoring several programs to help them get accustomed to the University and prepare for the year ahead.
"We provide these programs to help make the shift into grad life at Penn State a little easier," said Gina Carpellotti, GSA administrative assistant. "They serve a similar function to undergraduate programs, but are geared toward graduate concerns."
The GSA programs will offer students information on several topics, said GSA President Ken Martin.
-- Representatives from the thesis office will present a thesis workshop at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in 112 Kern and will answer questions about thesis requirements. A Thesis Guide will also be available for $1.50, said Martin.
-- GSA will also offer a Health Insurance Workshop Wednesday evening in 112 Kern, where association members will present information about life insurance options and availability.
Speakers will discuss the GSA Blue Cross/Blue Shield Plan and the Colonial Life Plan offered through Ritenour Health Center. A representative from the Office of International Students will also discuss strategies for international graduate students to obtain insurance.
-- During another segment of the program, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7 in 101 Kern, graduate students will have the opportunity to meet Charles L. Hosler, senior vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School. Hosler will make comments and an informal reception will follow.
-- A financial aid workshop will be given at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1 in 112 Kern. Information will be available on loans, work-study jobs, grants and fellowships. Joan Schumacher, director of graduate student financial resources, will be present.
-- Ken Babe, associate dean of the Graduate School and corporate controller will present a tax workshop at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 in 112 Kern. He will discuss the 1986 Tax Reform Act and other legislation on graduate student stipends.
-- Another orientation program offered by GSA will be a wine and cheese reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 16 in 1010 Kern.
Martin said he expects several members from the University Board of Trustees to be at the reception. When the board met at Behrend College in Erie in July, Martin extended an open invitation for trustees to attend the reception.
Several University administrators, deans and faculty members will also attend. Guitarist Michael Dennis will provide the evening's entertainment.
-- The final orientation program for the semester will be a workshop on sexual harassment at Sept. 27 in 112 Kern.
Betty Moore, assistant director of the Campus Life Assistance Center, will lead the discussion. She will outline ways to deal with harassment problems and review the resources available to students if they need help dealing with a problem. All programs are organized by GSA with the help of different departments and organization on campus, Carpellotti said.
Martin said three programs which already took place -- "Surviving Penn State," "First Day Teaching Jitters" and "Life as a Graduate Woman" -- were successful.
