My father thought the students here were up to something. Happy Valley is much more friendlier than New York. That's where the S-Plan comes in, by providing student leaders who organize weekly activities for the six to ten students in their charge. The leaders develop relationships with their group by teaching them how to make the most of their years at University Park. Typical topics include time management, effective study techniques, interactions with professors, campus organizations and the best places in town for haircuts and other services.
Groups also go to the movies and find other ways to socialize.
According to S-Plan advisor Nathan Thomas, a community health educator, there is still a great need to support African American and Latino students at Penn State. Those who have grown up in more diverse areas feel isolated when they suddenly become the only African American or Latino student in the classroom or residence hall, says Thomas. He adds that they are exposed to many unfamiliar things, from music to food to relationships and educational methods. S-Plan got its start in 1988 from the efforts of Elaine Jurs with the help of Sigma Gamma Rho, an African American sorority, to help African American students. Over the years it worked with Gamma Phi Sigma, a Latino-based fraternity, to expand its reach to include Latinos.