Resources

RESOURCES FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

•  Penn Libraries Workshops

The Penn Libraries is offering a variety of online workshops for new and returning students. Miss a workshop? Check online for archived materials and recordings.
For full details, more upcoming sessions, and to register visit the Penn Libraries website.

For New Students

• Thrive at Penn consists of introductory modules on Academic Integrity, Health & Wellness, and Violence Prevention, delivered through Canvas to all first-year graduate and professional students. 
• New Grad Student Orientation includes information sessions, tours, and resource fairs designed to acclimate all new grad students to Penn and Philadelphia.

Academic Support Resources

• University Catalog
• Code of Academic Integrity requires that every member of the University community adhere to the principles and spirit of the code. 
• Educational Policies and Academic Resources relevant to graduate and professional education, including Advising & Mentoring PhD Students, Master’s Thesis Style Guide, and Ethics and Original Research Guidelines.
• PhD Leave of Absence policy and New Parent Accommodation/Family Leave policies. 
• Career Services offers an extensive array of services to graduate and professional students including resume reviews, practice interviews, workshops, and on-campus recruiting. 
• The Center for Teaching and Learning is available to graduate students interested in improving as teachers, whether they are working as TAs or preparing to become future faculty. 
• English Language Programs provides courses in English as a second/foreign language (ESL/EFL) and orientation to life in the United States. 
• International Student & Scholar Services advises international students on F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrant procedures and compliance with immigration laws and regulations. 
• When allowed: Penn Travel Registry is mandatory for students planning to travel for academic, educational, extracurricular, clinical, research, or University business purposes. Registered travelers are pre-authorized to use International SAS and traveler medical insurance, as well as pre-travel preparations.
• The Weingarten Learning Resource Center provides professional instruction in skills such as academic reading, writing, and study strategies free of charge to Penn students. 
  • • Weingarten’s Office of Student Disabilities Services provides comprehensive confidential services and programs for students with disabilities to ensure equal academic

Emotional & Physical Wellness 

• Student Health Service (SHS) Primary Care section offers evaluation, initial treatment and follow-up care for acute injuries and illnesses, provides care for chronic health problems, dispenses selected prescription medication, administers routine and travel immunizations, provides screening and preventative health services, and coordinates outside medical care that students need. Women's Health provides well-women care, including annual exams, contraceptive management, and treatment and counseling for sexual and reproductive health concerns. 
• Campus Health Initiatives is the public health branch of Student Health Services that seeks to improve health and well-being across campus through advocacy, education, programming, and action. 
• Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) provides professional psychological and psychiatric services to students who are having personal problems involving social, emotional, academic, or career issues. 
• Penn Violence Prevention aims to prevent sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking on campus, by ensuring students have access to resources, and by providing preventative education focused on building healthy relationships, understanding consent, and being an active bystander. 
• The Department of Recreation offers virtual programming, intramural sports, on-campus fitness facilities, informal recreation, sports clubs, group exercise classes, personal training, massage therapy, and outdoor adventure trips. All full-time students who pay general fee have access to on-campus fitness facilities (when open) which include an Olympic sized pool and co-ed sauna, Juice Bar, locker/shower facilities, and classes led by certified Personal Trainers. 

Funding Resources 

• Harold J. Haskins Research Grant for Graduate Students at The Center for Africana Studies

The Harold J. Haskins Research Grant for Graduate Students supports research-related costs for graduate students affiliated with The Center for Africana Studies. This grant was established through a generous fundraising campaign organized by the Black Alumni Society, honoring the legacy of Harold J. Haskins, whose work and mentorship made a lasting impact on Black graduate students at Penn.

The Graduate Student Center’s Graduate Funding and Finances page includes information on special grant programs, competitive fellowships, student employment, and personal finance. Of special note for PhD students: 

• Family Grants for PhD students with Children
• Insurance Grants for PhD students

•  Resources for Students with Children 

Family Center staff remain available to advise and meet with students, postdocs, and campus partners via phone, email, or Skype. Follow the Family Center on social media, sign up for the newsletter, and check their Virtual Resources Page for special resources for parents and families. 

•  Resources for International Students 

International Student & Scholar Service's (ISSS) advisors are available by email or virtual advising appointment. ISSS has created a list of Frequently Asked Questions related to COVID-19 to answer student questions and concerns.

Cultural & Identity Centers: Although most will not be physically open in Fall 2020, all are providing virtual resources

• The Graduate Student Center offers a range of academic support programs and personal enrichment activities. 
• The Family Resource Center is a hub for information, resources, activities, and advocacy for students with children. 
• Greenfield Intercultural Center promotes intercultural awareness and cultural competency workshops to help prepare Penn students to be thoughtful global citizens and leaders. 
• La Casa Latina focuses on building a unified community by working with LaGAPSA, students, faculty, staff, and alumni. 
• The LGBT Center offers educational programs and mentoring, and supports student organizations including Lambda Grads.
• Makuu, the Black Cultural Center, serves as a cultural hub for campus activities, activism, and personal, professional, and academic growth.
• Pan-Asian American Community House (PAACH) is a hub of academic, personal, and professional growth for students interested in Asian American culture and the Asian American Diaspora. 
• Penn Women's Center aims to understand and address the continuing and evolving needs of all women at Penn. 

Student Government

• Graduate & Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA) is the University-wide student government body representing all graduate and professional students to the central university administration. 

•     Graduate Student Government of the School of Arts & Sciences: SASgov. 

Reporting Concerns 

All students at the University who feel that they have been discriminated against by an individual or office acting for the University or that the University is not complying with the requirements of Title VI, Title IX, or the Rehabilitation Act, have a right to register a complaint and seek redress of their grievance, following our Student Grievance Procedures. Academic, administrative, and employment grievances are also covered. The University has a number of other applicable policies and procedures including a Policy Against Retaliation, Alcohol & Drug Policy, and Sexual Misconduct Policy. For a full list of University policies and regulations, visit www.upenn.edu/about/policies.

Students wishing to initiate a complaint against a member of the Penn community for sexual misconduct -- which includes sexual harassment, sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking – should contact the Associate Vice President for Equity and Title IX Officerup (AVP). See the Sexual Misconduct Policy, Resource Offices and Complaint Procedures for more information. Penn Violence Prevention provides support and information about options for reporting sexual misconduct.

Students wishing to lodge an official complaint of discrimination and/or retaliation can pursue either formal mediation or a formal complaint of discrimination and/or retaliation through the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs. Affirmative Action maintains a Complaint of Discrimination, Harassment and/or Retaliation Form. Individuals also may report having been treated in a biased or discriminatory manner by completing a Bias Incident Reporting Form. This form may be used to report incidents of bias involving Penn students, faculty, or staff. You are not required to provide your name or contact information. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.

To report a student engaged in other types of conduct violations and/or academic integrity violations, contact the Office of Student Conduct, which is responsible for matters of student discipline. 

The Office of Student Conduct's Mediation & Conflict Resolution Program helps Penn students who are involved in a personal dispute (for example, a relationship, house mate, or group conflict) resolve the conflict by using a variety of conflict resolution tools, including mediation. 

Recognizing that there are many options here that may be confusing to a student, Penn provides several Confidential Campus Resources that can help students sort through options and decide whether and how to make a formal report. These include: 

• African-American Resource Center
• Counseling and Psychological Services
• Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center
• Office of the Chaplain
• The Office of the Ombuds is a confidential, informal, neutral and independent resource available to Penn students, faculty and staff, and assists with the exploration of options, identification of resources, resolution of conflicts, and mediation of disputes.
• Office of Penn Violence Prevention and Education
• Penn Women’s Center
• Special Services Department, Division of Public Safety
• Student Health Service

Students wishing to provide general information and impressions about their academic programs can fill out the Graduate Group Feedback Form.