As they pack for winter break, students may find items in their rooms that they no longer want. Rather then taking the items home or throwing them away, students can be environmental and donate their gently used, unwanted items to theTrash to Treasure winter sale.
Donation bins will be set up in the residence halls from Dec. 7 to 18, and any student who lives on campus can donate items like furniture, clothes, bedding and electronics. More details about where to drop off donations will be posted in the residence halls in the coming weeks. (more)
Women enrolled in family literacy programs benefit in meaningful psychosocial ways above and beyond the academic and vocational skills they receive. A new study out of Penn State's College of Education indicates that literacy programs provide low-income women a space for supportive interactions that enhance their well-being. (more)
Thanksgiving is a time to share, but don't share the flu. University Health Services (UHS) encourages Penn State students to get vaccinated before they return home for the holiday break. A clinic will be held in 205 Student Health Center on Penn State's University Park campus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, to distribute free H1N1 nasal spray vaccine to students 24 years of age and younger and without any chronic health condition. Appointments must be scheduled online through the UHS Web site at http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/basics/online_access.cfm. H1N1 vaccinations are free of charge. (more)
Clean technology is a growing industry. As the world grapples with the energy crisis, jobs in sectors such as wind power, solar, biofuels and biomaterials, conservation and efficiency are in higher demand. But college students don't have to study science or engineering to work in green industries. At Penn State, a wide variety of students are preparing to work in green professions in some surprising areas. (more)
On Nov. 9, USA Today -- the nation's top-selling newspaper -- in cooperation with Penn State launched a new e-Edition for Penn State students as part of the University's continuing mission to promote newspaper reading as a way of integrating real world with classroom study. Since 1997, Penn State has had a readership program in place -- the first of its kind in the nation and a model for more than 500 collegiate readership programs nationwide. (more)
Last year, Penn State had more than 2,600 course enrollments by military service members and veterans, or 11 percent of total enrollment, in Penn State World Campus, the University's online campus. One reason so many military personnel are choosing World Campus is the flexibility of anytime, anywhere learning, which is ideally suited for servicemembers deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and other overseas installations. Penn State's commitment to increasing access to education for military personnel, veterans and military family members is being honored with the 2009 Ray Ehrensberger Award for Institutional Excellence in Military Education from the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE). AAACE's Commission on Military Education and Training (CMET) presented the award Nov. 3 in Cleveland. (more)
Effective stress management is an important part of a balanced and healthy life. This fall students and staff can "relax, relieve and restore" at University Health Services (UHS). The Health Promotion and Wellness resource area is home to a new de-stress zone. UHS modeled the space after a similar one created by Catherine Augustine, of the College of Education, at the Penn Stater. (more)
Penn State's Senior Class Gift Committee announced Oct. 27 the class of 2010's gift to the University: the Marsh Meadow Boardwalk and Overlook at the Arboretum. Seniors so far have pledged more than $19,000 to the project, which will establish a boardwalk and overlook across the James J. and Lynn D. Ramage Marsh Meadow in The Arboretum at Penn State, a 370-acre living laboratory. (more)
Go behind the scenes with the Penn State Sports Network. This "In Motion" video produced by Patrick Mansell provides a rare look at the voices of Penn State football as they describe the action. Veteran play-by-play announcer Steve Jones partners with former Penn State All-American and NFL Hall of Famer Jack Ham to set the stage, give unmatched expert analysis and paint the on-field picture for listeners on a 54-station network. (more)
Seeking to respond more efficiently to the needs and concerns of parents and families of Penn State students, the University is planning a new Parents Program with collaboration among multiple offices. "Penn State faculty and staff are in a unique position to help students and parents through the considerable number of transitions they face as students go through college," said Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs. "The Penn State Parents Program will partner with parents and families to help ensure their students' success and provide the opportunity for parents to be engaged and take appropriate and meaningful roles in our community." (more)
