Course Syllabus

MGMT 520-53A: Professional Communication (3 credits)

Course Description:

In MGMT 520, students learn how to be great project communicators. The

course includes instruction in the project manager’s most important tools: writing,
speaking, presenting, emailing, and conducting meetings. Students study the
process of adapting communications to suit a variety of audiences, writing with
clarity and simplicity, and adapting writing to be accessible to international
audiences. The class features practice in editing and improving business
documents that will be posted to the online forum for peer review, homework
exercises, and chapter tests.

Pre-requisites: None. Students must have a good working knowledge of

business English.

Course Goal: To provide students with skills needed to effectively communicate

in a contemporary work environment.

Course Learning Outcomes:

After completing this course students will be able to:

Analyze effective business communication methods and models

1. Describe the components of effective business communications;

2. Identify the common forms of business communication and their proper

usage;

3. Plan the purpose, content, and organization of their communications;

4. Determine the difference between formal and informal communications;

Write appropriate proposals and reports geared to a business

audience in accordance to the communications management plan.

1. Compose neutral, negative and persuasive messages geared to a

business audience;

2. Collect data and prepare reports;

 Evaluate the impact of verbal and non-verbal behaviors, particularly
in small groups and meetings in a business setting.

1. Identify the impact of verbal and nonverbal behaviors on communication;

2. Communicate effectively in small and large groups;

3. Plan, conduct and participate in meetings;

Create an effective business-focused presentation.

1. Develop effective oral presentations and supporting materials.

MGMT 520 Professional Communications supports PMBOK (5th Edition) Task

10.1 Plan Communications Management; Task 10.2 Manage Communications;
Task 10.3 Control Communications

Textbook and other Course Materials:

Required Text - Newman, Amy, Ober, Scot. Business Communication: In Person,

In Print, Online, 8th Edition, Cengage Learning, 2013

Required Text – A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge

(PMBOK Guide), 5th Edition, Project Management Institute, 2013

Optional Text - APA Style Manual. The preferred edition is Publication Manual of
the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition, Washington DC, 2010

Supplemental material posted on Moodle

Student Engagement in Online Learning

This is a synchronous course. Students must participate in online and “live”

sessions. Additionally, each week includes submission deadlines.

Active student engagement is a necessary part of the learning

experience. Because such a large part of Project Management is concerned with
communications it is expected that students will respond orally using their own
microphone if / when called upon during class discussions and in small-group
breakouts. Failure to respond to direct questions using the microphone and / or
failure to respond to in-class surveys, polls or breakouts may result in a rating of
Absent for that online session. Credit for attendance may be obtained in the
manner prescribed by the instructor.

Class website at http://harrisburgu.edu

Instructor and Contact Information:

Scott A. Rainey

Email address: srainey@harrisburgu.edu

Telephone number: 717-364-4211

Office hours: As announced

Grading Policies and Range of Grades

Grading Criteria for a Graded Item will help you understand how you will be
graded. You should review the designated Grading Criteria before beginning
work on a graded item so that you begin on the right track. You should also
review the Grading Criteria before submitting a graded item to make sure you
have fulfilled the expectations. Finally, you should review the Grading Criteria
when you receive the scores in order to see in what areas you did well and in
what areas you need to improve.

1. Online forum participation -- 15%

2. Team meeting kickoff project -- 25%
3. Writing Assignments (proposal & report) -- 25%
4. Chapter exercises -- 15%
5. Attendance – 20%

Your work will be evaluated according to the following general guidelines:

Excellent: Exceptional effort. Individual was always prepared to discuss, present,

and provide feedback. Work reflects consistent participation and engagement in
a manner that reflects a deep interest in and understanding of the course
content. Regular contributions are consistently thoughtful, constructive, and
beneficial to all involved in the course. Assignments and projects are thoroughly
and thoughtfully completed, always indicating additional work, insight, and
integration of ideas. Assignments and projects are completed on time, according
to requirements, and with a thorough understanding of how individual pieces of
the course build upon and integrate with each other. (Range of grades: A 95-100)
Above Average: Good effort. Individual was often prepared to discuss, present,
and provide feedback. Work reflects consistent participation and engagement in
a manner that reflects an advanced interest in and understanding of the course
content. The majority of contributions are consistently thoughtful, constructive,
and beneficial to all involved in the course. Assignments and projects are
thoroughly and thoughtfully completed, often showing some additional work,
insight, or integration of ideas. Assignments and projects are completed on time,
according to requirements, and with an understanding of how individual pieces of
the course build upon and integrate with each other. (Range of grades: A- 90-94,
B+ 87-89)

Average: Basic Effort. Individual was sometimes prepared to discuss, present,

and provide feedback. Work reflects consistent participation and engagement in
a manner that reflects some interest in and understanding of the course content.
Some contributions are thoughtful, constructive, and beneficial to all involved in
the course. Assignments and projects are completed, occasionally showing some
additional work, insight, or integration of ideas. Assignments and projects are
completed on time, according to requirements, and with a basic understanding of
how individual pieces of the course build upon and integrate with each other.
(Range of grades: B 84-86)

Below Average: Lack of Effort. Individual was rarely prepared to discuss, present,
and provide feedback. Work reflects some participation and engagement, but in a
manner that reflects little interest in and understanding of the course content. A
few contributions are thoughtful, constructive, and beneficial to all involved in the
course. Assignments and projects are completed, but do not show additional
work, insight, or integration of ideas. Assignments and projects are completed on
time, but lack requirements and indicate little understanding of how individual
pieces of the course build upon and integrate with each other. (Range of grades:
, B- 80-83; C+ 77-79; C 74-76)

Unacceptable: No Effort. Individual was never prepared to discuss, present, and

provide feedback. Work reflects no participation and engagement and there is no
interest in and understanding of the course content. Contributions are
nonexistent or contain no thoughtful or constructive elements. Assignments and
projects are not completed on time. (Range of grades: F 73 or lower)

A 95-100; A- 90-94; B+ 87-89; B 84-86; B- 80-83; C+ 77-79; C 74-76; F 73 or

lower.

Harrisburg University Honor Policy

Statement of Academic Integrity
According to the University's Student Handbook: Academic integrity is the pursuit
of scholarly activity free from fraud and deception, and is the educational
objective of this institution. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to
cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information or citations, facilitating acts of
academic dishonesty by others, unauthorized possession of examinations,
submitting work of another person, or work previously used without informing the
instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students. Any violation
of academic integrity will be thoroughly investigated, and where warranted,
punitive action will be taken.

Students should be aware that standards for documentation and intellectual

contribution may depend on the course content and method of teaching, and
should consult the instructor for guidance in this area.

Honor Code - We as members of Harrisburg University community pledge not to

cheat, plagiarize, steal, or lie in matters related to academic work. As a
Community of Learners, we honor and uphold the HU Honor Code.

Plagiarism
All students are required to abide by the Student Honor Code of Conduct
described in the Student Handbook, which includes academic integrity and
responsibility for learning. Students are responsible for understanding the
requirements for each course, for complying with the rules, and for reading,
understanding, and complying with the Student Honor Code of
Conduct. The Student Handbook is located on MyHU under the home tab.

There is zero tolerance for plagiarism at Harrisburg University. The Student

Honor Code of Conduct prohibits academic dishonesty and deception, including
plagiarism and cheating. All students will be held accountable for
plagiarism. Faculty may use Turnitin or other originality checking software as a
tool to detect plagiarism in student work.

o A faculty member will penalize a student grade the first time that
plagiarism has been detected. Incidences of plagiarism, cheating, or
any form of academic dishonesty will result in, at a minimum, a grade of
zero for the related assignment. Any student wishing to challenge the
faculty decision may follow the Disciplinary Process for Student
Incidents of Misconduct described in the Student Handbook available on
MyHU.

o Subsequent incidents of suspected plagiarism, any second case of

plagiarism against a student, or any incident of suspected plagiarism for
which the student has challenged the faculty decision will be reported by
faculty and handled according to the Disciplinary Process for Student
Incidents of Misconduct described in the Student Handbook. Incidences
of plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result
in, at a minimum, a grade of zero for the related assignment and/or for
the entire course. Any student found guilty of misconduct as a result of
any Disciplinary Process will have a disciplinary record at the university.
Plagiarism is generally “submitting the work of another as one’s own” (Student
Handbook). Plagiarism often occurs when the student fails to credit the source of
borrowed ideas or words appropriately. Plagiarism may be intentional or
inadvertent. Some examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:

o Copying all or part of a work without crediting the source, with or without
the original creator’s knowledge and/or permission (Works may include
a phrase, written or musical, a graphic element, a proof, specific
language, or an idea derived from such work.);

o Presenting the spoken or written ideas of another, published or

unpublished, as one’s own and/or as original by failing to appropriately
credit the source;

o Incorrectly quoting including, but not limited to, failure to include

quotation marks around borrowed language;

o Incorrectly paraphrasing including, but not limited to, relying too heavily
on the original language, words, and structure;

o Incorrect attribution including, but not limited to, omitting necessary

information from a citation, failure to include in-text references where
necessary, and/or false citation.

o Plagiarism is behavior that undermines the fundamental and essential

values inherent in the pursuit of knowledge within academic programs
and research. Learning requires the accurate, honest, thoughtful
evaluation of information in order to advance our collective
achievements in science & technology, and to solve the problems we
face as a society. A dedicated student or academic builds upon the
work of others in an open and transparent manner and documents the
sources or contributions to the creation of knowledge.

All students are required to quote or paraphrase borrowed material correctly and
to cite the source of such borrowed material completely following
current American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines for style, format,
and content, or another style of citation approved by the course
instructor. Students may seek writing and citation assistance from Student
Services (caltieri@harrisburgu.edu or ASCENT on Moodle), the University
Librarian (library@harrisburgu.edu), or online resources such as The OWL at
Purdue (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/).

Student Expectations
Students are expected to have graduate-level reading comprehension in English
and advanced writing skills, as well as familiarity with computers. Students
experiencing difficulties with reading or writing can first contact Tutorial Services
at tutoring@HarrisburgU.edu, we have set up resources for both native and non-
native speakers of English. You may also use resources on Moodle under
“Academic Success Center” or Ascent.

Students must have a working laptop for all meetings. Students may be directed
to use other materials during every class meeting; this may be noted on Moodle.

In the event of an extreme event (weather, power, etc.) that would cause the
official closing of the University and normally result in the cancellation of classes,
the instructor may choose to modify how class activities are handled online.
Check the Moodle course page for specific directions on when and how to
participate in class during extreme events. Online, synchronous courses will be
held regardless of extreme events, unless the event interrupts electricity for the
instructor or a majority of students. Check the Moodle course page for specific
directions on how to participate in an online, synchronous class during extreme
events. Online, asynchronous courses are not impacted by extreme events
unless otherwise indicated by the instructor.

Harrisburg University's Core Competencies

At the conclusion of this course a student will have met the following core
competencies that reflect HU's mission:

Critical Thinking: The ability to evaluate and integrate multiple sources of

information through experience, reason, and training. Critical thinkers will
demonstrate aptitude in

o Drawing conclusions
o Recognizing and differentiating facts, opinions and inferences
o Being aware of diverse connections.
o Ability to revise conclusions as new information becomes
available.
o Recognize and work through problems

Communication: The skill of successful understanding while exercising

the two-way flow of information through different methods including spoken,
written, and illustrative exchange. Those demonstrating communication
skills will show aptitude in:

o Professional comportment in appropriate situations

o Formulation of organized arguments
o Comfort with presenting their ideas in different forms
o Comfort with different audiences

Information Literacy: The knowledge and familiarity with different media

types along with efficient storage and retrieval methods. An information
literate citizen will demonstrate an aptitude in:
o The ability to recover information appropriate to given issues,
arguments or problems
o The ability to quickly evaluate sources and content in an
information rich world
o The ability to condense information to salient and concise
arguments

Teamwork and Collaboration: The ability to work effectively with others in

a concerted effort toward a common goal. Those showing effective skills at
collaboration will demonstrate an aptitude in:

o Recognizing how to maximize a group’s efficiency through the

strengths of individual group members
o Planning and realistic goal setting
o Displaying individual responsibility to the whole
o Recognizing inter-individual skills to find the best solutions

Civic Engagement: A developed understanding of what is meant by the

social contract and therefore a sense of what it means to be a good
citizen. An engaged citizen will show:

o A concern for community problem-solving

o Participation in community oriented activities and organizations
o Awareness of issues concerning their communities
o Activity in areas of community improvement

Ethical Decision Making - Ethical Decision Making actualizes the

realization and inclusion of the moral dimension for personal decision-
making. “Reasoning about right and wrong human conduct requires
students to be able to 1) assess their own ethical values and the social
context of problems, 2) recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, 3)
think about how different ethical perspectives might be applied to ethical
dilemmas, and 4) consider the ramifications of alternative actions.” Ethical
self-identity evolves both on individual and organizational (i.e., corporate)
levels.

Criteria / Dimensions:

o Evaluating the consequences of unbiased and biased actions

o Demonstrating awareness of diverse opinions and opposing
viewpoints
o Demonstrating awareness for effects that decisions will have on
others
o Maintaining a vision of society that includes various decision
pathways
 Global Awareness - Global awareness is knowledge of the world
citizenry’s common interests in community, social, political, and financial
systems of different scale; appreciation and respect for diversity, culture,
and environment.

Criteria / Dimensions:
o Distributions and relationships of different organisms and
environments
o The interplay between, but not restricted to, ecology, economy
and the expediencies of political structure
o Differences in cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds
o Geographic and community connections at local, national, and
international scales
o Scientific and technological advancement

Entrepreneurship: The capacity to recognize opportunities for benefit and

reward as well as the ability to find workable solutions to exploit an empty
organizational or societal niche. The successful entrepreneur will show an
aptitude in:
o Understanding relationships between costs and benefits, risks
and values
o Evaluating market analyses for markets of different size and
scope
o Understanding the differences and similarities of ventures diverse
in type and level of development

Submission of Assignments
All assignments MUST be submitted [through the Moodle site] on
time. Exceptions will not be routinely granted.

Course Schedule
Activity Schedule

Weekly forum posts Sunday before 23:55

Chapter Exercises Sunday before 23:55

Proposal Writing Assignment To Be Announced (TBA)

Report Writing Assignment TBA

Kick-off Project Assignment TBA

Weekly Course Schedule.

 Unit Unit Name Class Date
(All times
1800 unless
specified)
Course Overview, Introductions, Plagiarism, 7/14/18
Executive Introduction to Business Writing, and 1300-1700
Session 1 Communication in Project Management
Reading: n/a
Assessments: Class participation

1 Course Overview, Plagiarism, Introduction to 7/17/18

Business Communication and Communication in
Project Management
Reading:
- Read in PMBOK, Chapter 10, pages 287-288,
“Project Communications Management”
Assessments: Euphemism and Connotation Video
Introduce Yourself Forum
2 Understanding Business Communication 7/24/18
Reading: “Understanding Business
Communication”(Chapter 1)
Assessments:
Forum Post: Review and analyze a recent example
of communication you received at your workplace.
Textbook Exercises: Newman Chapter 1: The 3P’s
In Action and The 3P’s in Practice
3 Team and Intercultural Communication 7/31/18
Reading: “Team and Intercultural Communication”
(Chapter 2)
Assessments:
Forum Post How to Apologize video
Textbook Exercises: Newman Chapter 2: The 3P’s
In Action and The 3P’s in Practice
4 Interpersonal Communication Skills 8/7/18
Reading: “Interpersonal Communication Skills”
(Chapter 3)
Assessments:
Forum Post: Answer posted Forum Question
Textbook Exercises: Chapter 3: The 3P’s In Action
and The 3P’s in Practice
 Unit Unit Name Class Date
(All times
1800 unless
specified)
5 The Writing Process 8/14/18
Reading: “The Writing Process” (Chapter 4)
Assessments:
Forum Post: Answer Posted Forum Question
Textbook Exercises: Chapter 4: The 3P’s In Action
and The 3P’s in Practice
6 Revising Your Writing 8/21/18
Reading: “Revising Your Writing” (Chapter 5)
Textbook Exercises: The 3P’s In Action and The
3P’s in Practice
7 Neutral and Positive Messages 8/28/18
Reading: “Neutral and Positive Messages” (Chapter
6)
Assessments: Proposal Assignment due: 9/2/18
Forum Post: your answers to the questions in the
Forum 7 Assignment.
Textbook Exercises: The 3P’s In Action and The
3P’s in Practice
Logos, Ethos, and Pathos; Introduction to the 8/18/18
Executive Team Kick-off Project; Writing a Sales Letter, 1300-1700
Session 2 Reading: n/a
Assessments: Class participation, Application
Exercises, Logos, Ethos, and Pathos videos

8 Persuasive Messages 9/4/18

Reading: “Persuasive Messages” (Chapter 7)
Assessments: Overview of the Team Kick-off
Meeting Project
Textbook Exercises: Chapter 7: The 3P’s In Action
and The 3P’s in Practice
9 Bad News Messages 9/11/18
Reading: “Bad News Messages” (Chapter 8)
- Read in PMBOK, Chapter 10, Section 10.1, “Plan
Communications Management”
Assessment: Forum Post: Answer Forum Posted
Question
 Unit Unit Name Class Date
(All times
1800 unless
specified)
Textbook Exercises: Chapter 8: The 3P’s In Action
and The 3P’s in Practice
10 Planning the Report and Managing Data 9/18/18
Reading:
- “Planning the Report and Managing Data” (Chapter
9)
- Read in PMBOK, Chapter 10, Section 10.2,
“Manage Communications”
Assessments: Forum Post: (a) Microsoft email
Textbook Exercises: Chapter 9: The 3P’s In Action
and The 3P’s in Practice
11 Writing Reports 9/25/18
Reading:
- “Writing the Report” (Chapter 10)
- Read in PMBOK, Chapter 10, Section 10.3, Control
Communications
Textbook Exercises: Chapter 10: The 3P’s In Action
and The 3P’s in Practice

12 Making Oral Presentations 10/2/18

Reading: “Oral Presentation” (Chapter 11)
Assessment: (a) Technology Forum 1 (b) Technology
Forum 2
Report Assignment due:
13 Employment Communication 10/9/18
Reading: “Employment Communication” (Chapter 12)
Assessment:
Textbook Exercises: The 3P’s In Action and The
3P’s in Practice
Written Requirements for Presentation Due:
10/6/18
Final Project Due: 10/6/18
Employment Communication Continued, Office 10/6/18
Executive Etiquette, Project Submissions & Descriptions 1300-1700
Session 3 Reading: N/A
Assessment: Class Participation and Presentation
 Unit Unit Name Class Date
(All times
1800 unless
specified)
14 Project Submissions, Peer Critiques, & Emotional Week 14
Intelligence
Reading: Group Presentation Video
Assessment: Peer Critiques: Unit 14 Forum and
during final course session

Participation/Attendance
Attendance at the Weekly Class Sessions is very important at Harrisburg
University and is important to your own learning for which Harrisburg University is
accountable. The total loss of points due to lack of attendance is a 20%
deduction off of your final course grade. Loss of points for not attending all the
live class sessions or listening to recordings is 20% prorated. Proof of listening
to the recorded sessions must be provided to your instructor in a manner that the
instructor requires. Attendance will be taken in Moodle or similar tracking
system. Obtaining excused absences for which no points are lost is rare.

20% deduction off of final course grade for missing all live sessions or recorded
sessions (proof required for listening to recorded sessions), and points deducted
for each missed class. In order to receive credit for asynchronous sessions
(recordings) must listen to recording before the next scheduled class and provide
professor with an email with keyword provided during recording. Due dates for
forum posts and assignment dates are firm regardless of live or recorded
participation.

If an absence is unavoidable, an e-mail or a voice message should be sent to the

instructor before the class begins. This is a professional courtesy; informing an
instructor does not mean the absence is excused. Please note that this is also
discussed above under Classroom Expectations. If a student is late, s/he may be
marked as absent.

Any student who has a medical or family emergency that will affect attendance
and academic performance across all courses for more than one day should also
inform Keith Green (kgreen@harrisburgu.edu) as their DSO and provide the
appropriate documentation.

It is a student’s responsibility to find out what has been missed in the event of an
absence. It is best for a student to obtain information or notes from another
student. Faculty is not obligated to provide students with individualized instruction
or lecture notes.
Faculty recognizes that any student may be absent on occasion due to illness,
family issues, job-related circumstances, and so forth. If absent due to such
reasons, a student will lose any attendance or participation points that may have
been earned for that date.

Each absence or excessive tardiness can potentially lower a student's final

course participation grade by 10%. Note: graduate students must maintain a
3.00 cumulative grade point average in order to remain in good academic
standing.

Absences are rarely “excused.” Documented severe illnesses, hospitalizations,

deaths of immediate family members, arrest, major religious holidays, or other
similar emergencies are the only circumstances under which an absence will not
negatively affect a student’s participation/attendance grade. Ordinary doctor or
dentist appointments should be scheduled such that they do not conflict with
classes. Any assignment that is submitted late because of an absence may still
be penalized, as noted below. Students are expected to inform their
instructors first; each instructor has discretion over course grades. Students
should also contact the Office of Compliance (KGreen@harrisburgu.edu) in the
event of a personal emergency. A student can provide documentation of the
emergency to the Office of Compliance, which will then inform each instructor
that documentation was received.

Missed or Late Assignments, Deferred (or make-up) Exams

Missed speeches, presentations, or quizzes cannot be made up and will receive
a grade of zero without prior approval from instructor.

Deadlines for any assignments are noted on the Course Schedule. If a paper is
submitted late, and accepted by the instructor, it will be penalized by 10% per
day (24 hour day). For example, if a paper is worth 100 points, but submitted a
day after the deadline, the paper can earn a score no higher than a 90. No
student should wait until the last minute to submit an assignment that is due;
printer or technology problems are not a valid excuse for submitting an
assignment late.

The Catalog describes the policy for deferred examination requests. No student
has the right to defer an examination and request a make-up exam
without written approval from the instructor of a course. A student is responsible
for requesting a deferral; all such requests should be accompanied by
documentation related to the reason for the request - a serious injury, illness, or
extenuating condition that the student could not have prevented.
The Catalog outlines what to do if a request is made within 24 hours of the exam.
If a student knows that s/he must miss an exam well in advance, the student
must notify the instructor in advance in writing (via email) and request a deferral.
An exam should not be considered deferred until and unless a student has the
approval of the instructor in writing. A student who fails to take an examination
when scheduled and who does not receive a deferral from the instructor will
receive a failing grade of zero on the examination.

If a student shows up late for an exam or quiz, s/he will only have the remaining
scheduled test time to complete her/his work. If a student shows up after an
exam or quiz has already been administered, no special arrangements for the
student to take the exam or quiz is required of the instructor.

Documented severe illnesses, hospitalizations, deaths of immediate family

members, arrest, major religious holidays, or other similar emergencies are the
only circumstances under which course work might be accepted without penalty
or deferred (make-up) exams will be offered.

Online Orientation
You are enrolled on Moodle in the Graduate Online Orientation course which you
are required to access and review prior to starting as a student at the
university. The course should be in your list of Moodle courses; the link to the
online orientation courses is

https://myhu.harrisburgu.edu/ICS/Online_Academics/

You will be enrolled in this orientation course as long as you are an active
graduate student at Harrisburg University in order to be able to use the
orientation course as a reference resource over time.

Student Support Services

Smarthinking™

For example, Smarthinking is an online tutoring service that is free to students. A

student can take advantage of live one-on-one sessions with a professional tutor
in the subject for which help is needed. A student may also submit essays for
feedback in advance of a deadline and receive timely responses. This service
can be accessed at the click of a button from within any Moodle course. For
more information, contact tutoring@HarrisburgU.edu.

For technology questions, students should first visit the Technology tab at MyHU.

Disability Services
Any student with a documented disability who feels that he/she may need an
accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office for
Disability Services. Students should reach out to the Office for Disability Services
as early as possible in order to receive services in a timely manner. All meetings
and information will remain confidential. Please contact Kim Bowman, Assistant
Director of Student Services at 717-901-5173 (kbowman@harrisburgu.edu) in
order to register for services.

Veterans Services
For veteran services, please contact Vincent Frank Director of Student Services
at 717-901-5115 (vfrank@harrisburgu.edu)

Other University Services

For access to other University services visit MyHU
at https://myhu.harrisburgu.edu/ics. They include:

1. Your instructor! Ask questions in class, via email, or during office hours.
2. Anything to do with your student status and/or visa, email the
International Student Coordinator at
InternationalStudentServices@harrisburgu.edu.
3. Advising, study skills, time-management, email the Assistant Director of
Student Affairs, Advising@HarrisburgU.edu
4. For computer, software, or printer problems submit a request
to Helpdesk@HarrisburgU.edu
5. Research resources and Library, e-mail: Library@HarrisburgU.edu
6. Tutoring, e-mail: Tutoring@HarrisburgU.edu
7. If a student has questions regarding the CPT requirements or anything
about their Visa, contact InternationalStudentServices@harrisburgu.edu
and someone in our International Department can assist you.

Computer and Software Requirements

Students must have a laptop. Students must have a working wireless network
connection at Harrisburg University and have the ability to print documents. It is
the responsibility of every student to have a working computer and printer
access.

o Students enrolled in Harrisburg University of Science and Technology’s

degree program are required to have a laptop computer in order to
complete specific course requirements.
o If you already have a laptop and want to continue using it at Harrisburg
University, please be aware of the minimum required specifications.
Information can be found on the HU web site
(https://myhu.harrisburgu.edu/ICS/Technology/)
o Minimum requirements for connecting to the HU wireless network can
also be found on the HU web site
(https://myhu.harrisburgu.edu/ICS/Technology/)
o Students should use the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel,
PowerPoint) to ensure compatibility of their files with university and
instructors’ computers. Open Office files (or other programs) are
 acceptable only if files submitted are compatible with, and can be
opened by, university software. Students are eligible for Office 365
ProPlus; instructions for downloading and using Office 365 ProPlus are
available under the Technology tab of MyHU (under “Software”).
o If an assignment allows for electronic submission of a file, an
unreadable file will be deemed “unsubmitted,” ungraded, and the
assignment will be penalized as a late assignment when it is submitted.
o It is the policy of Harrisburg University that university business be
conducted using a HarrisburgU.edu or my.HarrisburgU.edu email
account. Emails to staff or faculty should be written clearly, respectfully,
and concisely. It is a requirement that each student check
themy.harrisburgu.edu email account regularly.
o Students and faculty are required to use Moodle (the course
management system for HU) located at https://Moodle.harrisburgu.edu).
This may be required both during and outside of class. Instructors
regularly post information such as assignments, due dates, readings,
and outlines on Moodle. Students are responsible for reading any
course announcements that are posted on Moodle. In addition, students
may have to complete assignments or upload documents to Moodle.

Access to your courses will open prior to the first day of the semester and you
are expected to log onto your courses when the semester starts even if this is
prior to your executive weekends on the actual campus.

o Students must be familiar with basic file management, word processing,

the Internet, browsers, uploading files, and opening attachments sent in
emails. Students are encouraged to back up all files to a flash drive
and/or to Microsoft OneDrive.
o Responsibility for resolving any computer/software problems is the
responsibility of the individual student. Students should send an email
explaining the issue to Helpdesk@harrisburgu.edu.