Administrative Policies

Table of Contents - Introduction - Graduate Degrees - Academic Policies - Administrative Policies - NucE Faculty - Course Descriptions - Facilities - Radiation Science & Eng. Center

Assistantship Responsibilities
Expenses for Thesis Preparation and Manuscripts
Office and Key Assignments
Smoking Policy
Purchasing
September 23, 2005 of University Vehicles
Health Insurance

Assistantship Responsibilities

A graduate student on a 1/2-time assistantship is expected to work a minimum of 20 hours per week. These work requirements can include thesis research activities.

As a result of action taken by the University Graduate Council, the Test of Spoken English (TSE) is now required of all graduate students whose native language is not English before such students can be appointed to graduate teaching assistantships. However, a student can grade homework, reports, or examinations without passing the TSE examination. A score of at least 230 on the TSE is required to be a laboratory assistant.

The following procedures are applicable to all international students who will perform teaching assistant duties in the Nuclear Engineering Program:

a) Make arrangements with the Graduate Records Secretary to take the Test of Spoken English if the requirement has not already been fulfilled. If the test is passed with a score of 250 or above, no further action is required.

b) If the test score is below 250, you are required to do one of the following:

Expenses for Thesis Preparation and Manuscripts

Expenses for thesis preparation, such as typing, word processing, drafting, paper, photocopying, etc., are considered personal expenses and should be paid by the student and not the Program.

Expenses related to the preparation of required reports or publications based on theses or technical projects are considered legitimate Program expenses. Also, students are encouraged to participate with faculty in the preparation of grant proposals to obtain the necessary support for research activities. Secretarial services will be made available for preparation of reports required for grant research projects.

Office and Key Assignments

Office space is assigned to graduate students on a space-available, priority basis; assignments are made by the Program Chair. Keys to the buildings and offices will be assigned to graduate students by Dianne Crust, whose desk is located in 132 Reber. Assigned keys will unlock graduate student office and building doors. There is a deposit of $5.00 per key to be paid upon receiving keys.

Graduate students must turn in any keys assigned to them upon completion of their graduate program and the money will be refunded. Final paychecks for those assistantships will be held until keys are returned. Keys are not to be lent to anyone. It is unlawful to duplicate these keys. Doors are to be kept locked between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. and all day on weekends and holidays.

Smoking Policy

For the consideration of health, comfort and safety of all people in Nuclear Engineering, SMOKING IN ANY FORM IS NOT ALLOWED IN ANY AREA of The Pennsylvania State University buildings, including hallways, lounges and restrooms.

Purchasing

All purchases of materials, supplies, equipment, or tickets for travel related to Nuclear Engineering Program research and teaching activities, must receive prior approval of the student's advisor. The policy of the Program with respect to standing orders at local stores is as follows:

1. Graduate students must obtain the standing order number from Donna Genismore, the bookkeeper and approval of the advisor before picking up material. The signed delivery slip must be submitted to the bookkeeper.

2. These slips are kept on file in the office to be checked against the monthly bills.

Use of University Vehicles

University vehicles are for OFFICIAL USE ONLY. Operators of University vehicles must abide by all state highway laws. Special courtesy to other drivers should be exercised at all times, since one is representing the Nuclear Engineering Program, the University and the Commonwealth when driving a University vehicle. No passengers are allowed to ride in any of these vehicles unless the passengers are authorized to participate in official business.

A valid Pennsylvania driver's license is required to operate University vehicles, except that operation of vehicles heavier than 30,000 pounds gross requires a Class 2 license. A Class 3 license is required to drive a vehicle towing a trailer more than 10,000 pounds. Caution: Only persons employed by the University are covered by insurance while operating a University owned vehicle. A graduate student on an assistantship meets the employment criterion. Students operating University vehicles should check with their advisor concerning current procedures for signing out vehicles, purchase of fuel, etc.

Health Insurance

Penn State requires medical insurance for all graduate assistants, for all international students, and for all dependents of international students.

Graduate assistants will be placed on the Penn State student insurance plan underwritten by Mega Life and Health Insurance Company. The University will pay 80 percent of the student's premium and the remainder of the premium will be deducted from graduate assistants' paychecks in three equal amounts in September, February, and April.

Also, all new international students will be required to purchase health insurance for themselves and their accompanying spouses and/or children, or their enrollment will be withdrawn. The cost for this is substantial. An in-depth, explanatory pamphlet is available from the Graduate Records Secretary.

Students required to have health insurance may choose coverage other than Mega Life and Health Insurance; however, in order to be granted a waiver, alternate plans must meet certain criteria (the guidelines and waiver application are available through the Student Insurance Office, 320 Grange Building). An application for a waiver must be received by early September each year. Otherwise, enrollment in Mega Life and Health Insurance is automatic for graduate assistants. Newly arriving international students without assistantships who do not purchase Mega Life and Health Insurance or apply for a waiver by early September will be withdrawn from school.

Additional information can be obtained from their website at http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/index.cfm