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Penn State Altoona Change of Location/Change of Campus Guidelines
For students currently enrolled at Penn State Altoona
who want to enroll at a different Penn State location in a future semester
Introduction:
The majority of baccalaureate students who enroll at Penn State remain at their campus of admission until such time that they enter their major through the formal Entrance to Major process in the spring semester of their sophomore year. On occasion, students find it necessary to relocate to another campus location prior to entering their major as juniors.
This information is intended for students who are currently enrolled at Penn State Altoona who are considering relocation to University Park or another campus location. It is based upon University policy as well as campus guidelines.
This document does not apply to students who are enrolled at other campus locations, nor does it apply for subsequent relocation once a student has moved from Altoona to another campus, nor does it apply to students seeking to relocate to Penn State Altoona. Please see the appropriate guidelines for students seeking to relocate to Penn State Altoona in a separate document.
About the Process:
- Change of campus is an academic process, that is, whether or not a student can schedule classes and make academic progress at their current and proposed campus is of primary concern.
- Change of campus is a two-step process--the sending campus makes the initial review. Penn State Altoona is the sending campus for students currently enrolled at Altoona who wish to enroll elsewhere. If the sending campus supports the request, only then will the receiving unit make the final decision. The receiving unit is the requested campus, except for students requesting University Park. The receiving unit at University Park is the student's current college.
- Only if the sending campus supports the student's request will the receiving unit make a final decision. Students should not contact the receiving unit for a preliminary decision. The sending campus will contact the receiving unit only if supporting a student's change of campus request.
- University policy allows for limitations based upon balancing the abilities of students to make academic progress with a campus' or college's management of resources.
Therefore, not all requests are approved by the sending campus. Likewise, not all requests supported by the sending campus are approved by the receiving campus or college.
Considerations for students proposing to leave Altoona for another campus:
- Changes to another campus will be supported by Penn State Altoona if the student can no longer make academic progress at Penn State Altoona, or if the student has
achieved fifth semester standing. In addition, some University Park colleges require that specific courses be completed with a grade of C or better for change of campus to be supported by the receiving unit. Students should check with their academic advisor for specific details.
- Students may decide to enroll in summer classes to boost their credit totals. If the student is attempting 12.0 or more credits over the course of the summer, a re-review will be granted once the appropriate courses appear on the Penn State transcript. If the student is attempting fewer than 12.0 credits over the course of the summer, for re-review, the student must present a receipt that summer courses are paid in full. Summer courses taken elsewhere will appear on the Penn State transcript only if the student requests that the other institution sends an official transcript to Penn State. Courses taken at Penn State appear on the transcript once the instructor submits grades. It is the student's responsibility to request re-review.
- A student's request will always be supported by Penn State Altoona to attend the campus geographically closest to their home, regardless of credit accumulation. For Centre County residents, University Park is the campus geographically closest to their home, but a student must also have graduated from a Centre County HS.
- Approval by the sending campus, e.g., Penn State Altoona, does not imply approval by the receiving unit. In fact, certain colleges at University Park have strict criteria and may deny requests by students that are supported by the sending campus. The decision of the receiving unit is final. The student should not consider that an approval is final until they receive written confirmation of the approval from the receiving unit.
- Requests to University Park for non-academic circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Non-academic circumstances that will not be supported by Penn State Altoona:
- Intended participation in club or intramural sport
- Intended try out for or practice with a varsity team with the intention of participating in a future semester
- Social life issues
- Employment or housing secured prior to the final written approval by the receiving campus
- Requests to enroll in classes for a minor. Students cannot declare a minor until their fifth semester (60 or more credits), in which case a student's request will be supported to attend their upper-division campus based solely upon credit accumulation.
Non-academic circumstances that will be supported for change of campus from Penn State Altoona to another campus:
- Confirmed participation in an ROTC program, if unable to continue in ROTC at Penn State Altoona.
- Confirmed participation, as an athlete, in a varsity sport. Excludes team managers.
- Confirmed participation as a performer in the Blue Band.
"Confirmed participation" means that the appropriate commanding officer, coach or director can verify, in writing, that the student will participate for the upcoming semester.
For ROTC and varsity athletics, receiving units, the Colleges at University Park, have differing local policies for final approval. Ex: The College of Engineering at University Park only supports requests for academic reasons. Students with questions should contact their college office at University Park.
For the full University policy on change of campus, review the D policies, especially, D-1, at this website:
http://www.psu.edu/oue/aappm/
Student Action:
- Meet with your current academic advisor to review major preferences and progress in your current or intended major. Determine whether or not Penn State Altoona can provide you with a schedule of classes to make academic progress in this major. Review entrance to major requirements.
- Complete the change of campus request form. Complete the form, sign it, and submit it to the Registrar's Office, E130 Smith.
Locally, questions can be addressed individually with Gina Baird, Coordinator
of Clientele Services, 814-949-5035, E130 Smith Building,
GGG3@psu.edu.
Change of Campus Form
