University Departments
ATHLETICS
General Information
Point Park University currently offers eleven varsity sports that compete on theintercollegiate level. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, and soccer. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
The Point Park Athletic Department is committed to achieving high standards both athletically and academically. Not only do the Pioneers work hard to represent their school on the field of play, they are also strong academic performers as evidenced by Point Park’s selections to the NAIA Scholar-Athlete teams.
The Pioneers have a national affiliation with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and are a member of the American Mideast Conference. Through its Champions of Character Initiative, the NAIA promotes the five core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership, and sportsmanship.
For information about Point Park athletics, including game schedules, directions to facilities, news, statistics, and more, visit the Athletics homepage at www.pointpark.edu/Athletics.
Prospective Student-Athletes
Scholarships are available to Point Park student athletes; eligibility requirements set forth by the NAIA must be met. For example, student athletes must remain full-time students during their competitive career. Students who wish to participate on a varsity sports team should contact the head coach of the sport of interest by phone or email. Contact information for coaches is available at 412-392-3844. Tryouts are permitted to assess athletic ability.
Support the Pioneers!
Point Park students are admitted free to every Pioneer sporting event! Point Park student body support is vital to the success of the Pioneers as they represent their school on a very competitive and challenging level of play.
All home games are held off campus. Transportation to select home games is available via Fan Vans; information about this free shuttle service can be found on the University web site at www.pointpark.edu/Athletics.
Intramurals
Intramurals at Point Park University offer students a variety of intramural team activities, including, but not limited to, flag football, dodgeball, deck hockey, and basketball. Also, the department sponsors billiards, table tennis, bowling, Halloween contests, Wii tournaments, Wallyball, and racquetball at select times of the year.
Intramural activities are not meant to be highly competitive, but rather provide an opportunity for all students to participate in organized sports. The goal of the intramural program is to provide safe recreational activities to enhance the students’ total educational experience and quality of life. Most of the activities are seasonal and vary from fall to spring semesters. The list of intramural programs and schedules can be found at www.pointpark.edu/StudentLife/Intramurals. For more information, please feel free to contact the Student Center Director at 412-392-3854.
Campus Life
The Office of Campus Life is responsible for creating for all students, commuters and residents, an enhanced academic experience. The Office of Campus Life consists of Alcohol and Other Drug Education, Housing and Occupancy Management, the Office of Judicial Affairs, Living and Learning Community Programs, Sophomore Experience, and the Office of Student Activities. Through the programs and involvement of the different offices and departments of Campus Life, all students will obtain citizenship and conflictresolution skills, and practice civil interaction, clarity of communication, and self awareness. For more information contact the Campus Life Office at 412-392-8026, visit the office on the first floor of Pioneer Hall, or visit the website at www.pointpark.edu/StudentLife/LivingonCampus.
Alcohol and Other Drug Education
This office is here to assist students in learning about the many aspects of alcohol and other drug consumption. If you have questions regarding alcohol and other drug education, or feel uneasy about your own alcohol or other drug consumption, feel free to contact the Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Education by phone at 412-392-8032, email at campuslife@pointpark.edu, visit the office in 716 Lawrence Hall or the website at www.pointpark.edu/StudentLife/HealthandStudentServices/AlcoholDrugEducation.
If you or any of your friends are having a drug- or alcohol-related emergency, it is very important to get help immediately. There are emergency contacts on campus that will be able to assist you or your friends in this situation. They are most easily contacted by dialing extension 2222 (from any campus phone only) or 412-392-3960 on a noncampus phone.
The Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Education also has Peer Educators to help educate students on alcohol and other drug use. They are involved in the programming efforts on campus and bring a fresh perspective to our students. If you would like to become involved with this group, please contact the Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Education at 412-392-8032.
Housing and Occupancy Management
This office is responsible for room selection, room assignments, and room changes, and is the liaison with Physical Plant for residence hall maintenance and repair issues. The office also oversees Move In and Move Out and any other business functions related to living on campus. The Office of Housing and Occupancy Management is located in the Campus Life Office on the first floor of Pioneer Hall and can be reached by phone at 412-392-3824, by email at campuslife@pointpark.edu, or visit the website at www.pointpark.edu/StudentLife/LivingonCampus/Residencehalls.
Judicial Affairs
This office is responsible for the operation and implementation of the campus judiciary as prescribed by the Student Code of Conduct. Judicial Affairs’ mission is to adhere to the fundamental rights and responsibilities inherent in scholarly inquiry, civil discourse, and intellectual rigor. The Office of Judicial Affairs is also responsible for the activities of the University Judicial Board (UJB). The Office of Judicial Affairs is located 716 Lawrence Hall and can be reached at 412-392-8029, by email at judicialaffairs@pointpark.edu, or visit the website at www.pointpark.edu/StudentLife/OfficeofJudicialAffairs.
Living and Learning Community Programs
This office is responsible for the implementation of the Living and Learning Communities in the residence halls and helping students enhance their co-curricular education. Living and Learning Communities will devise their own activities to enhance both the academic and residential experience at Point Park University. The Living and Learning Community Programs’ office is located in the Office of Campus Life on the first floor of Pioneer Hall and can be reached by phone at 412-392-8026 or email at campuslife@pointpark.edu, or visit the website at www.pointpark.edu/StudentLife/LivingonCampus/Residencehalls/LivingandLearningCommunities.
Sophomore Community Standards
The Sophomore Experience, as a part of the Office of Campus Life, is designed to assist students during their sophomore year within the residence halls of Point Park University. The goal of the Office of Campus Life and the Sophomore Experience is to provide all students with citizenship and conflict-resolution skills, and encourage the practice of civil interaction, clarity of communication, and self awareness.
Through the Sophomore Experience, Point Park University residents will have the opportunity to establish their own living standards for their community as well as their individual rooms. The Sophomore Experience is located in the Office of Campus Life on the first floor of Pioneer Hall and can be reached by phone at 412-392-8026 or email at campuslife@pointpark.edu, or visit the website at www.pointpark.edu/StudentLife/LivingonCampus/Residencehalls/SophomoreExperience.
Student Activities
The Office of Student Activities is the campus headquarters for student activities and organizations. The office performs a variety of functions that help maintain a dynamic and socially-interactive campus environment where students can gather and work together to create fun, exciting, and educational activities for the University community. Students can also obtain information about other events and activities in and around the City of Pittsburgh. The Office of Student Activities lends valuable support to all recognized student organizations. This office also serves as a resource for students to develop their leadership skills as well as get involved in community service projects both on and off campus. In coordination with the United Student Government (USG), this office also serves as a resource for those wishing to get involved in student organizations on campus. The Office of Student Activities is located in 102 Student Center and can be reached by phone at 412-392-4735 or email at studentactivities@pointpark.edu, or visit the website at www.pointpark.edu/StudentLife/StudentActivities.
Career Development
The Career Development Center, located on the seventh floor of Lawrence Hall, supports the individual career goals of students and alumni through educational and enrichment activities. The Career Development Center is a job search resource and education center and assists with all aspects of career exploration and the job search process. Services offered to students include resume and cover letter reviews, career goals assessment and planning, interview and networking preparation, individual career counseling, career fairs and workshops, job search assistance, and full-time and parttime job postings.
For more information, or an appointment, contact the Career Development Center at 412-392-3950 or careerdev@pointpark.edu, or visit the website at www.pointpark.edu/StudentLife/CareerDevelopment.
Commuter Affairs
The Office of Commuter Affairs serves as a resource to the commuter population of Point Park University living off campus including traditional age students, nontraditional or adult learners, and graduate students. Essentially, any student not living in a Point Park residence hall is considered a commuter student. The Office of Commuter Affairs works to provide activities and events that will meet the needs of this diverse population. We have designated the fourth floor of Lawrence Hall as the Commuter Lounge to provide a space for this special population of students to study and relax in between classes. The Office of Commuter Affairs is located in 712 Student Center and can be reached at 412-392-3835 or sgeorge@pointpark.edu. For more information on the Commuter Club, parking, and other commuter resources, visit the website at www.pointpark.edu/StudentLife/CommuterAffairs.
Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Office is located on the first floor of Thayer Hall in the Student Financial Services Center. The Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. The Office is also open on the first and third Saturday of each month. Hours may vary; check the posted schedule.
The purpose of the Financial Aid Office is to assist students in obtaining financial assistance from all sources including federal, state, and institutional funds. This assistance can be in the form of grants, scholarships, work programs, or loan programs. The Office can also assist students in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and provide counseling services to students to determine which programs are available to help meet expenses at the University.
Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year in order to renew their eligibility for financial aid. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 each year in order to be considered on time for funds and to maximize all available financial resources at the University.
Students should be aware that if they withdraw from all coursework, any federal funds that were awarded are subject to the Return of Title IV Funds policy.
For more information visit the website at www.pointpark.edu/About/TuitionCosts/FinancialAid, or to make an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor, contact the Office of Financial Aid at 412-392-3930.
Honors Program
The Honors Program welcomes Point Park University students of all majors and interests who want to move beyond traditional classroom instruction and university experiences. The program encourages enhanced student and faculty collaboration and strives to enhance students’ academic, leadership, community service, and creativity skills through a variety of methods, coursework, events, activities, and programs. Students challenge themselves by enrolling in specific honors sections of courses, and they can adapt specific classes as honors classes with additional assignments and activities, permitting them to work collaboratively with professors. Students must take six honors classes and earn eighteen credits to complete the program. A thesis or ending project is optional but encouraged, particularly for those who plan to attend graduate school.
The Honors Program builds a community of scholars with benefits and extra activities just for its students. For example, honors students reserve their classes ahead of other students each semester. It also includes a student-run and operated group, the Honors Student Organization, that plans community service and leadership programs that are guaranteed resume builders. In 2010-2011, Honors Program students traveled to New York City for an Alternative Spring Break, raised $700 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, planned the University’s second Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration of Dreams program, and made academic presentations at a regional honors association conference in Maine. Honors students become leaders and make a difference on campus and beyond.
Students earning a minimum 3.5 QPA or scoring more than 1700 on the SAT test or 25 on the ACT test are automatically admitted into the Honors Program. Other students can complete an application to enter the program. For more information, visit the website at www.pointpark.edu/Academics/AcademicSupport/HonorsProgram, or contact Helen Fallon, Honors Program Director, at hfallon@pointpark.edu or 412-392- 3982 or 412-392-8192. The Honors Program Office is located in 405 Lawrence Hall.
Library
The Point Park University Library is located on the first floor and lower level of the University Center. The Library is open seven days a week with some exceptions for interim periods and holidays. Reference staff are on duty during all hours of operation to assist with research and informational questions either in person, or by phone or instant messaging (IM).
The Library’s holdings include books, e-books, DVDs, videos, CDs, audio books, video games, plays, musical scores and anthologies, print journals, daily newspapers, popular fiction/nonfiction, children’s literature and school curriculum collections, and journals on microfilm and microfiche. The Library subscribes to 60 individual databases with access to online journal articles, e-books, and information resources. Library users have access to over 60,000 e-books. Most databases and the online catalog can be searched simultaneously with One Search, a federated search engine available through the Library web pages. Articles and e-books from the databases can be accessed from off campus using a Point Park email username and password. Students may also use EZBorrow to request Library material from 60 participating academic institutions with over 36 million books. Assistance with writing a research paper and using correct citations can be located on the Library’s webpage.
A student needs a current student ID to borrow material from the Point Park University Library. Students are financially responsible for any overdue fines or charges that may be levied against their Library account. Students must clear their accounts in order to register for classes, graduate, or have official transcripts released. Policies about circulation and fines charged for overdue, lost, or damaged material can be viewed on the Library web pages.
The Library also provides access to PCs and Macs with networked black and white, and color, laser printers. Students can check out laptops and Netbooks with the ability to print and access the Z drive for use in the building. The Library is a wireless zone, and students can access the internet with their own laptops. The Library also has Kindles available for loan.
For more information about the Library, its policies, hours of operation, and to access the online catalog and databases, visit the website at www.pointpark.edu and click on the Library link at the top of the page. Students may also contact the Library staff by phone at 412-392-3171, by email at library@pointpark.edu, by texting 66746 and including the keyword Pointlib in the body of the text, and at pointlibim through AOL or Yahoo Instant Messenger or from the IM box on the Library’s webpage.
Pioneer Experience (New Student Orientation)
The Office of Commuter Affairs oversees the University’s new student orientation program, The Pioneer Experience. It is designed to help new students and their families discover all that Point Park University has to offer, make new friends, and get acclimated to their new environment. Orientation Leaders will assist students and family members throughout the two-day program by facilitating sessions that provide a chance to meet peers, learn about campus services, and discover the range of opportunities Downtown Pittsburgh offers. The Pioneer Experience Program is located within the Office of Commuter Affairs on the seventh floor of the Student Center and can be reached at 412-392-3835 or orientation@pointpark.edu.
Program for Academic Sucess (PAS)
The Program for Academic Success (PAS) helps students reach their academic goals via undergraduate course tutoring, writing project consultation and counseling support. In addition, PAS coordinates accommodations for students with disabilities. All services are free of charge.
Counseling
PAS provides individual counseling services to identify, explore, and discuss issues that may hinder student success. The counselor is available by appointment or on a walk-in basis, and offers assistance in a variety of areas, such as connecting to University and community resources, adjusting to campus life, understanding University policies and procedures, and employing effective strategies for decision making, time management, goal setting, and stress reduction.
Tutoring
PAS offers tutoring for a variety of undergraduate courses, and students may also receive assistance with effective study strategies. Students may schedule a regular weekly appointment or appointments as needed. PAS makes a reasonable effort to meet the tutoring needs of students in a wide variety of courses. However, we may not be able to honor every request due to circumstances beyond our control such as limited student and/or tutor availability or inability to locate a qualified tutor.
PAS makes a reasonable effort to meet the tutoring needs of students in a wide variety of courses. However, we may not be able to honor every request due to circumstances beyond our control such as limited student and/or tutor availability or inability to locate a qualified tutor.
The Writitng Center at PAS
The Writing Center at PAS offers assistance with English writing courses and with writing projects in courses across the curriculum. Students may schedule appointments by signing up on the schedule available on the door of 703 Lawrence Hall or by contacting the Coordinator of English/Writing Tutoring. In addition, online writing tutoring may be accessed through the PAS website.
Disability Services
Campus accommodations for students with disabilities are coordinated through PAS. Students should contact the office or consult the website for specific information on the University’s policy and procedures for verifying disabilities and requesting reasonable accommodations.
To find out more about PAS services, call 412-392-3870, stop by the PAS offices located on the seventh floor of Lawrence Hall, or consult the PAS website at www.pointpark.edu/StudentLife/HealthandStudentServices/ProgramforAcademicSuccess.
Registrar/Transcripts
Located on the ninth floor of Thayer Hall, the Office of the Registrar is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. The Office is also open on the first and third Saturday of every month. Hours may vary; check the posted schedule.
Point Park University students, who have completed three or more credits, and graduates, may request copies of official or unofficial transcripts from the Office of the Registrar located on the ninth floor of Thayer Hall. Persons desiring a transcript must complete a Transcript Request Form or write a letter of request. The Registrar cannot release transcripts to any person or agency without proper authorization in writing from the student or graduate, and the Registrar cannot release transcripts, official or otherwise, to any person with outstanding financial debts to the University.
The Office responds to transcript requests in three to five working days. Persons wishing to pick up transcripts in person must give the Office 24-hours’ notice. In addition, if a student must withdraw from all classes, a Complete Withdrawal Form must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
For more information, call the Office of the Registrar at 412-392-3861, or visit the website at www.pointpark.edu/About/AdminDepts/RegistrarsOffice.
Student Accounts
The Student Accounts Office is located on the first floor of Thayer Hall in the Student Financial Services Center. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. The Office is also open on the first and third Saturday of each month. Hours may vary; check the posted schedule.
The Student Accounts Office is responsible for billing and collection of all tuition, fees, and room and board charges. The University provides many options for students to consider assisting them in paying their charges at the University. Students can participate in one of the University’s payment plan options which are managed by the Student Accounts Office. Students who receive tuition reimbursement from their employer can enroll in the University’s Employer Reimbursement Program. This program allows students to defer payment for tuition and fees up to the amount reimbursed by their employer.
For further information on the various options available to students, contact the Office of Student Accounts at 412-392-3424 or visit the website at www.pointpark.edu/About/AdminDepts/StudentFinancialServices/StudentAccounts.
Student Center
The Student Center is located at 330 Boulevard of the Allies and is open year-round, offering opportunities for fitness training, recreation, and individual and group programming. Cardio, free weights, Nautilus, and Pilates equipment are available. Billiards and table tennis are offered as leisure activities, in addition to a full-court gymnasium.
The Student Center is open to all currently registered students and is free of charge. A current Point Park student id card is required for entry to the facility. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the fitness opportunities provided by the Student Center. For more information and hours, visit the website at www.pointpark.edu/StudentLife/StudentCenter or call 412-392-3854.
Study Abroad
Intent of Program
The Study Abroad Program at Point Park University is an opportunity for students, not a requirement for their degree program. Students are responsible for all paperwork associated with the study abroad programs and assume all responsibilities for documents necessary for traveling abroad. Students also assume all responsibilities and risks associated with study abroad opportunities and will be explained these risks and responsibilities by the Study Abroad Coordinator.
Programs Offered
Point Park University offers the following three study abroad opportunities:
Regent's College, London
Point Park University sponsors a program for students to take classes at Regent’s College, located in the heart of London, England. At Regent’s, courses are taught American-style by British instructors in many areas of the arts and sciences and business. Students reside on campus in residence-hall style accommodations (single, double, triple) that have recently undergone extensive updates. Regent's College offers spring, summer, and fall semester programs. Students pay Point Park tuition, along with Regent's room and board charges (flex dollar-type meal plan included). To learn more about Regent's, visit their website at www.bacl.ac.uk/study_abroad.aspx.
Wells College, Paris
Through an agreement with Wells College, students can participate in the Wells Program for the Arts in Paris, France. The program is designed for students wishing to develop their interest and talent in areas such as dance, music, painting, photography, sculpture, and theater. The program does not assume any fluency in French. However, it offers very successful language training with special emphasis on the terminology used in the arts, assuring that all committed students reach a good mastery of French. Students may choose a home stay or residence hall-style accommodations (all rooms are singles) in La Cité internationale universitaire de Paris. Wells College offers spring and fall semester programs only. Students pay Point Park tuition, along with Wells' room and board charges (no meal plan included, except that some meals are included if a home stay is chosen). To learn more about Wells' Arts in Paris program, visit their website at www.wellsabroad.com/paris.html.
American University of Rome
Through the University’s membership in the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) consortium, Point Park students are able to study at the American University of Rome, Italy. Founded in 1969, AUR is the oldest degree-granting American university in Rome, offering challenging courses with professors who are highly trained and experienced in their respective fields and have high academic standards. AUR’s urban campus is located on top of the Janiculum, Rome’s highest hill, in a dedicated set of buildings in a prestigious neighborhood, within walking distance of the center of “the Eternal City.” Students electing university-facilitated housing are placed in furnished apartments in areas surrounding the university campus; apartments are shared with other AUR students. AUR offers spring, summer, and fall semester programs. Students pay Point Park tuition, along with AUR room and board charges (no meal plan included). To learn more about American University of Rome, visit their website at www.aur.edu/american-university-rome/study-abroad.
Other Study Abroad Opportunities and Trips
Occasional trips to Europe are arranged by Point Park University faculty, in which students can participate for University credit. These trips are typically identified as three-credit courses and are often offered over the summer. Past destinations have included Greece, Hungary, England, Scotland, and France. Also, other schools sponsor trips in which Point Park University students can participate, such as Semester at Sea.
Participation Requirements
Students wishing to participate in the Study Abroad Program at Point Park University must meet certain participation requirements. A student must be in good standing academically, financially, and judicially at the University in order to participate in the program.
Getting Started
Students are encouraged to plan at least one semester ahead when planning to study abroad. Information meetings are held in September and February each year; application packets are available to students each semester beginning at the information meeting. Students planning to study abroad in the spring semester should attend the September meeting prior; students planning to study abroad during the summer or fall term should attend the February meeting prior.
By contacting the program coordinator a semester ahead of time, students will be able to coordinate and complete all necessary paperwork for a smooth transition into their study abroad experience. In addition, by notifying the proper individuals in a timely fashion, students will have a better opportunity to participate in the program due to the limit on study abroad opportunities for each term.
Contact Information for Study Abroad Program
Students wishing to participate in the Study Abroad Program should contact Keith Paylo, the Study Abroad Coordinator, by phone at 412-392-3840, by email at studentaffairs@pointpark.edu, or visit the Office of Student Affairs on the seventh floor of the Student Center. More information can also be found on the website at www.pointpark.edu/StudentLife/OfficeofStudentAffairs/StudyAbroad.
The Study Abroad Coordinator is able to answer questions pertaining to the campuses available, location information, application information, costs, policies, and procedures associated with the program. The Coordinator will also be able to refer students to individuals that will assist with financial aid, student accounts, and registration for all of the study abroad programs.