Public Programs FAQ

Jump to transfer, withdrawal, refund, and cancellation information

Where should I stay?
If you plan on staying overnight while attending a program at Penn State University Park, there are many options for lodging.

• The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel
  The most convenient option is The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel—with your classroom only a floor or two away! The Penn Stater offers free shuttle service to and from the airport and to area attractions for guests. Call 800-233-7505 or 814-863-5000 to make reservations.
• Other Options
  For information on other area hotels, please visit the Web sites for the Penn State Visitor’s Guide or the Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Are meals included? What about dinner?
Your registration fee includes lunch plus morning and afternoon break service. If your program is taking place at the University Park campus, lunch is provided at the conference center’s Gardens Restaurant, which has a wide variety of both hot and cold dishes on its buffet. Food service during the breaks in the morning and afternoon includes a selection of baked goods, fruit, and other snacks. Hot and cold beverages are available all day. Breakfast and dinner are on your own.

What should I wear?
You should dress comfortably. Business casual is appropriate. Be aware that the conference rooms can occasionally be a bit on the chilly side, so perhaps bring a sweater or something that you could add or remove as needed.

Who else will be there?
Our programs bring in attendees from all over the country, and sometimes the world, from a variety of industries and backgrounds. We’ve heard from our participants that one of the things they like best about our programs is how much learning they receive from their peers in class, in addition to the knowledge imparted by the instructor. Come prepared to share!

Do I need to bring a laptop?
No. Unless the course is technology-specific, you will not be working on a laptop, and if one is required, we will provide it for your use during the program.

Will there be homework?
There are occasionally prework assignments, or in the case of programs that run multiple days, work that is assigned to be completed in the evening. This will vary depending on the program and the instructor. If there is prework assigned, you will be notified well in advance so you have time to complete it.

Is there Internet access there?
If your program is taking place on the University Park campus, The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel offers free high-speed wireless Internet access. In addition, several laptops are set up in a common room so you can check e-mail or use the Web.

Can I make copies or send a fax while I am there?
If your program is at the University Park campus, The Penn Stater Conference Services office, located on the main floor, would be happy to assist you in making copies or sending a fax. There is a small fee for this service.

Where do I park?
The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel on the University Park campus has ample free parking on both sides of and behind the facility. There is no parking garage, so you may want to make sure you have an umbrella with you if there is any precipitation in the forecast.

Where do I go once I get there?
If your program is taking place on the University Park campus, there are daily activity boards found at the two main entrances of the conference center, as well as in a variety of other public spaces. Your event and its location will be listed there.

What is there to do in the area in the evening?
If your program is on the University Park campus, which is located in the town of State College, the area offers a number of attractions you can enjoy during the evening. Information about both indoor and outdoor activities, arts and entertainment, recreation, and dining can be found at www.visitpennstate.org under the “Visitors” tab.

What if my program is not taking place on the University Park campus?
Our courses are offered at a variety of locations around Pennsylvania. You can find more information about our other locations here.

Transfer, Withdrawal, and Refunds

If you find it necessary to transfer to another session of the same program, one transfer will be allowed with no charge if arranged more than 15 business days prior to the course you originally registered for. Additional transfers, transfers to another program, or those arranged less than 15 business days prior incur a charge of 10% of the current program fee. If you need to withdraw completely from a program, the following refunds will apply if we are notified in writing within the time period stated:

A full refund will be given if notification is received more than 15 business days prior to the start of the program, less a 10% administrative fee. A 50% refund will be given if notification is received between 10 and 15 business days before the start of the program. No refund will be made if notification is received less than 10 business days before the start of the program.

Note: All notification of withdrawals, transfers, and substitutions must be confirmed in writing by the registered participant or their agent. An e-mail to drc21@outreach.psu.edu is sufficient to notify us. If written notification is not received, the full program fee will be assessed.

Cancellations

The University may cancel or postpone any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is cancelled or postponed, the University will refund registration fees but cannot be held responsible for any other related charges or expenses, including cancellation/change charges by airlines or travel agencies. In the case of postponement, as an alternative to a refund, program fees may be transferred to another session of that program.