Mathematics Department Graduate Program
Eberly College of Science Mathematics Department

Getting Started

American English Oral Communicative Proficiency Test (AEOCPT)

During the week of ISS Orientation, the Linguistics and Applied Language Studies Office administers the American English Oral Communicative Proficiency Test (AEOCPT). International students who plan to be teaching assistants must pre-register for this exam by either calling the Center for ESL at 865-7365 or going to 305 Sparks. To pre-register, students must present their student ID card. For those with temporary ID cards, you must take both your passport and your official admission letter from the Graduate School.

The tests will be held on the following days in 122 Thomas Building:

August 20^th	August 21^st	August 22^nd
8:30am-12:00 noon	8:30am-12:00 noon	8:30am-12:00 noon
1:00pm-4:30pm	1:00pm-4:30pm	1:00pm-4:30pm

It is the policy of the Center to give the proficiency test once. If you wish to be re-tested, you must register to take the Test of Spoken English (TSE) through the Educational Testing Service.

Results of the AEOCPT are available from Becky, 224 McAllister Building. Students who pass the exam may teach without restrictions; marginal or failing students must register for the appropriate ESL course.

Ph.D. Qualifying Examinations

The Ph.D. Qualifying Examinations for August are scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, August 20^th	Analysis
Friday, August 22^nd	Topology/Geometry & Logic & PDEs
Monday, August 25^th	Algebra & Numerical Analysis

All examinations will take place from 9:00am to 12:00 noon in room 102 McAllister. Please notify Becky Halpenny which examinations you plan to take. Information and past qualifying examinations are available for review.

The Essentials

Health Insurance

All international graduate students are required to carry health insurance. Health insurance is not mandatory for U.S. graduate assistants and fellows. For more information about the Penn State Graduate Assistant / Graduate Fellow Health Insurance Plan, visit the Student Health Insurance Office, 320 Grange Building and Blue Cross / Blue Shield from the GSA office, 111 Kern Building.

Estimated Bills and Registration

You should have received an Estimated Bill from the Bursar's office for fall 2003 semester. Although you are on an assistantship and receive a tuition waiver, you must still return the estimated bill with a note written on it stating you are on an assistantship. If you did not do so by mail, you must go to the Bursar's Office, 103 Shields Building, and file your bill. This must be done before registering for classes. You will receive estimated bills before each semester; they must be returned by the date indicated or you will be assessed a $25 late fee. If a bill is not filed, scheduled classes will be dropped from your schedule.

You must register for classes before Tuesday, September 2 (first day of classes). If you do not register before that date, you will be assessed a late-add fee. If you are on a half-time graduate assistantship, you must register for 9-12 credits per semester. Those students who are required to take ESL classes (115G, 117G, or 118G) must register for the appropriate course along with at least 6 credits of math courses.

Penn State Identification Card (ID+)

After you have completed your course registration, you may obtain your Penn State ID Plus Card (international students must have their permanent Social Security number). The ID Office is located in 103 Hetzel Union Building (HUB). Their hours of operation are 7:30am-6:00pm, Monday through Friday and 12:00 noon-3:00pm, Saturday and Sunday. Valid identification, such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID, is required. Your photograph will be taken and placed on this card along with an ID number. You may use this card to check books out of the University Libraries. The main University Library is Pattee Library. The Math Department Library is located in 109 McAllister Building.

Center for Academic Computing (CAC) Account

You have automatically been assigned an Access Account. You will need to have this account activated before beginning the Training Program for Graduate Teaching Assistants on August 27^th! To activate your Access Account, you need to take your ID+ Card (see previous section) to one of the automatic signature stations (101 Computer Building, 201 Pollock Library, 2 Willard Building) and follow the instructions listed. Make note of your user ID and password when they are displayed on the screen. Your account should be active within 24 hours. For more information, visit the CAC web site.

Salary Advance

Stipends are paid in 10 monthly installments, August through May. The last working day of each month is the pay date. Due to the mid-August arrival time for incoming graduate assistants, payroll checks for August may be delayed until the end of September. However, after September 1^st, we are able to request a salary advance for those who did not receive a payroll check at the end of August. The amount of this advance is 70% of your pay amount. Please see Becky, 224 McAllister if you wish to request a salary advance.

Getting around the Department

Office Assignments / Office Hours

All graduate teaching assistants are assigned office space. Your office will be located in Osmond Laboratory. Those students who are assigned teaching duties will receive a memo requesting your office hours. Please be sure to complete this form (including your name) and return it to Tammy Coval in 107 Whitmore Laboratory.

Mailroom

Department mailboxes are located in 218 McAllister Building. You may use this address to receive mail. Graduate student mailboxes are located to the left when entering the mailroom.

Departmental Keys

You will be issued keys to your assigned office in Osmond Laboratory, an entrance door key for that building, and an entrance door key for McAllister, which also accesses the McAllister mailroom. The computer lab in 116 Osmond Laboratory is accessible by a card reader. If you wish to have access to this lab, you must present your ID+ card to Becky, who will make a photocopy and process it so that you may have access.

When you pick up your keys in 510 Thomas Building, you must have photo identification and a $10 deposit per key to receive your keys. If you have any questions in regard to keys, please see Becky, 224 McAllister.

Please Note: The keys you receive are coded with a special number that is recorded in your name. Do not exchange or give your keys to other persons. You are responsible for these keys; if they are lost and / or stolen there is a $20 replacement fee per key. If you are planning on leaving the department for an extended time or permanently, please return your keys to 510 Thomas Building. You will then be refunded your deposit. If you try to return keys that have not been issued in your name, the deposit will not be refunded.

Fax Machine and Photocopier

A fax machine is located in 229 McAllister for departmental use, instructions for use are posted. If sending a personal fax, a calling card must be used. The photocopiers located in 219 McAllister are also for departmental use. The code for the large machine will be the last four (4) digits of your Social Security number.

Office Supplies

Office supplies, overhead transparencies, and mailing labels may be obtained in 229 McAllister. Mailing supplies (envelopes), notepads, and printer paper may be obtained in 219 McAllister.

Teaching Assignments, Textbooks, Course Materials

You will obtain your teaching assignment via e-mail. Course materials, and textbooks may be obtained from the Undergraduate Office located in 107 Whitmore Laboratory.

Departmental Staff Assistants

Barbara Baum - Staff Assistant - 206 McAllister Building, 863-0545
Secretary to George Andrews and Gary Mullen. Assists with journal work. Types correspondence. Makes travel arrangements. Coordinates and prepares articles for the departmental newsletter. Coordinates and prepares some departmental award nominations.

Tammy Coval - Staff Assistant, Undergraduate Studies Program - 107 Whitmore Laboratory, 865-7528
Provides information to students and faculty regarding the Undergraduate Program. Processes add / drop forms, solves student problems. Assists undergraduate staff assistants and exam staff assistants as well as types technical papers and examinations as directed by the supervisor. Updates departmental directory and updates campus address/telephone number. Processes mail for Whitmore. Orders supplies for Whitmore.

Flossie Dunlop - Staff Assistant, MASS Program - 222 McAllister Building, 865-7527
Assists the Director of the MASS Program and REU Program. Assists with recruiting efforts. Provides information, procedures, and requirements for the MASS Program and REU Program. Coordinates MASS seminars and all departmental seminars and colloquia. Assists with departmental lectures. Serves as second backup for the receptionist.

Linda Fisher - Staff Assistant, Undergraduate Studies Program - 107 Whitmore Laboratory, 865-7528
Supervises the Whitmore office staff. Secretary to the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Provides information and requirements regarding the Undergraduate Program. Works closely with Math majors. Assists with recruiting efforts. Distributes and collects grade sheets. Updates Undergraduate Handbook, Undergraduate Baccalaureate Degree Programs Bulletin.

Becky Halpenny - Staff Assistant, Graduate Studies Program - 224 McAllister Building, 865-7529
Assists the Director of Graduate Studies. Assists with recruiting efforts. Provides information and requirements regarding Graduate Program. Assists with the scheduling of 500-level and special topics courses. Prepares and processes letters of recommendations for graduate students. Processes key requests and maintains key files.

Beth Kennedy - Staff Assistant, Receptionist - 229 McAllister Building, 865-7527
Serves as department receptionist. Processes faculty recruiting applications. Types correspondence, reports, forms, letters of recommendation, vitaes, etc. Coordinates and types faculty activity reports. Assists the administrative assistant with various projects. Maintains supplies. Processes incoming and outgoing mail for McAllister.

Rosemary Manning - Staff Assistant to the Department Chair - 229 McAllister Building, 865-7527
Assists Department Head and Administrative Assistant with various projects including all types of dossiers and sabbatical leaves. Assists with Departmental newsletter and award nominations. Processes J1 visa paperwork for new hires and long-term visitors. Assists with H1 visa paperwork. Maintains departmental databases and informational lists. Schedules appointments for Departmental Head.

Mary Anne Raymond - Administrative Assistant - 229 McAllister Building, 865-7527
Responsible for the general management of the department offices. Acts as personnel coordinator for the department. Oversees faculty recruiting, hiring, visas, promotion and tenure dossiers, second and fourth year reviews, leaves of absence, faculty activity reports, departmental committees, and departmental communications. Coordinates departmental events and departmental development efforts.

Melissa Reed - Staff Assistant, Business Office - 226 McAllister Building, 865-7527
Prepares and processes all financial forms. Processes wage appointments and payroll. Screens and assigns graders. Assists in coordinating facilities / telecommunication needs. Assists in preparing grant proposals.

Julie Reighard - Staff Assistant, Undergraduate Studies Program - 108 Whitmore Laboratory, 863-9567
Types, processes, packages, and distributes exams. Works closely with course coordinators. Trains, assigns, and verifies proctor hours. Schedules signups for makeup, conflict and disability exams. Types technical papers.

Hope Shaffer - Staff Assistant, CCMA, Center for Dynamical Systems and Campus Divisions - 224 McAllister Building, 865-7527
Secretary to Anatole Katok, Jinchao Xu, and Moses Glasner. Coordinates departmental conferences. Prepares routine invitations for departmental visitors and necessary IAP-66 Fact Sheets for J1 visas. Coordinates office space for visitors. Works with the Commonwealth College faculty. Serves as backup for the receptionist.

Pat Snare - Staff Assistant, Receptionist - 229 McAllister, 865-7527
Serves as department receptionist. Processes faculty recruiting applications. Types correspondence, reports, forms, letters of recommendation, vitaes, etc. Coordinates and types faculty activity reports. Assists the administrative assistant with various projects. Maintains supplies. Processes incoming and outgoing mail for McAllister.

Amy Stover - Staff Assistant, Business Office - 226 McAllister Building, 865-7527
Maintains financial records and prepares financial reports. Prepares and processes fixed term appointments and paperwork. Processes faculty leave paperwork. Assists faculty in the preparation of research proposals. Coordinates building maintenance and repairs. Coordinates telecommunication requirements and property inventory tagging of equipment.

Tia Wisor - Staff Assistant, Undergraduate Studies Office - 107 Whitmore Laboratory, 865-7528
Provides information to students and faculty regarding the Undergraduate Program. Maintainsschedule of classes, course offerings, room assignments and enrollment figures. Processes add/drop forms, solves student problems. Contact person for publishers and faculty. Orders and distributes textbooks to faculty. Maintains Undergraduate Web pages. Prepares and distributes SRTE forms.

Kathy Wyland - Staff Assistant, Undergraduate Studies Office - 108 Whitmore Laboratory, 863-7122
Assists calculus director and instructors with course materials for Math 110, 140 and 141. Schedules meetings and signups for makeup, conflict and deferred exams. Packages and distributes exams, quizzes and course materials. Assigns proctors and distributes calculators. Assists with the Sperling / Cohen tutoring program.