Campus Life

Academic Support Center and Disability Services

The Academic Support Center offers designed and developed programs to assist students in making a smooth and successful transition to college learning. Services provided include individualized study skill instruction, free tutorial services, and miniworkshops focusing on personal development and writing skills, such as overcoming procrastination, improving vocabulary, and managing stress. The center also provides assistance in improving the understanding and retention of text information, organizing and reviewing lecture notes, teaching time management skills, and preparing for and taking tests. Finally, the center offers services and assistance to students with disabilities. For additional information on special needs, contact the Academic Support Center in G 16 Owen Library at 814-269-7109.

Athletics

The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown participates in the NCAA Division II league with sports for both men and women. Soccer, basketball, wrestling, baseball, and golf are offered for men, while women can participate in soccer, basketball, track, cross-country, volleyball, or golf. To participate, a student must qualify to play through the NCAA Clearinghouse. The women’s  co-ed rugby teams also offer intercollegiate play, but not on the NCAA level. Additionally, there are a number of intramural activities for student participation, such as basketball, flag football, and co-ed volleyball.

Bookstore/Convenience Store

The bookstore is a self-supporting auxiliary service of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, owned and operated by the University of Pittsburgh. Its purpose is to provide students and the college community with the largest possible selection of high quality goods and services at equitable prices with particular attention paid to academic requirements.

The bookstore sells required textbooks (new and used); references and student aids; school supplies; art, engineering and computer supplies; general interest books; and university logo apparel. Sundry merchandise is also available such as greeting cards, ceramics and glassware, Greek merchandise, backpacks, posters, and stuffed animals.

The convenience store section of the bookstore carries foodstuffs (such as cereal, bread, frozen foods, soups), snack foods (such as potato chips, pretzels, crackers, cakes, peanuts, and ice cream), beverages (such as Coke and Pepsi products, juices, coffee, and cappuccino), and health and beauty aids (such as toothpaste, lip balm, headache and cold remedies). Newspapers and magazines are also sold.

Some store services include: textbook reservation, book buy-back, special order for books and clothing, special occasion cake orders, group orders, film processing, UPS shipping, fax service, and gift certificates.

Campus Ministry

Campus ministry strives to meet the spiritual needs of students by providing an exciting and comfortable atmosphere in which to worship, serve, and share fellowship with other believers. Both Protestant and Catholic ministries desire to challenge and encourage students to realize their God-given potential in order to effectively and positively impact the world around them. Most services are held weekly in the Whalley Memorial Chapel, in addition to other venues on campus.

Campus Police

The campus police department provides on-campus protection and service to students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the University. Officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Campus police officers are certified by the Pennsylvania State Police and receive annual training as mandated under the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission. The department also provides a variety of programs such as crime prevention awareness, the Department of Physical Education 1-credit course in Rape Aggression Defense (RAD), alcohol and drug awareness training and programming, fire safety training, and operation ID (students inscribe identifying numbers on valuables such as televisions, stereos, computers, etc). Campus police officers enforce the Pennsylvania Crime and the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Codes and all parking, including campus vehicle registration. Additional miscellaneous services of the department include motorist assist and police escort services. As required by federal law (Clery Act), the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown publishes an annual safety brochure. This brochure provides information regarding safety and security policies, procedures, and programs, as well as campus crime statistics for the past three years. To receive a copy of the safety brochure, write to: University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Campus Police Department, 152 Biddle Hall, Johnstown, PA 15904 or visit the Web site.

Career Services

Career Services assists students, particularly freshmen and sophomores, in establishing career goals and in developing academic plans to reach those goals. Services are provided to seniors and alumni to assist them in implementing their postgraduate career plans. A computerized job referral system is available to serve students and alumni who are seeking employment and employers who are looking for job candidates. Individual career counseling, a career information library, job placement assistance, graduate and professional school information, and job hunting workshops are among the numerous career planning and placement services offered. UPJ students and alumni also have full access to services available in Pittsburgh at the University's Office of Career Services. Those services include on-campus recruiting, résumé referrals, and job postings.

Computing Facilities

The Department of Information Technology manages seven computer labs for student use. All labs are equipped with windows-based PCs and provide full Internet and e-mail access; a comprehensive suite of software for course work, research, and project development; access to library resources; and printing capability. Additionally, several academic divisions maintain private labs for specialized departmental use.

The University-wide network also enables access to many computing resources including the Oakland campus mainframe computer, UNIX timesharing services, and all Web-based campus resources.

A multimedia center provides access to scanning, digitizing, and video editing equipment; Macintosh computers; and high quality color printing.

Student accessible e-mail kiosks are stationed in the common areas of several campus buildings.

All residence halls offer in-room, direct connect high-speed Internet access to students; there is one network port per bed. A free dial-up service is provided for commuter students.

There are 22 fully equipped technology-ready classrooms for faculty use, and every classroom on campus is wired for Internet access. Laptop computers and video projectors are available for loan to both students and faculty for academic related projects.

The Department of Information Technology manages two programs that provide free productivity software and discounted computer prices for students. A variety of computer-related and software supplies are available in the campus Bookstore.

Computing Use Policy

Every member of the University community has two basic rights regarding computing: privacy and a fair share of resources. It is unethical for another person to violate these rights. All users, in turn, are expected to exercise common sense and decency with regard to the campus computing resources. Please read Ethical Guidelines for Computing, available in campus computing labs or online.

Students are subject to the rules and regulations as described in the University of Pittsburgh Student Code of Conduct. Students should realize that any misuse of computing resources may result in the suspension of their computing privileges.

Cultural Activities

The Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center is a focal point of cultural and community activities. Each year, the arts center sponsors a series of performances that include dance, theater, music, and shows for children. The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown’s Department of Theatre Arts makes its home at the arts center and presents an annual musical and two productions each year. The arts center is also home to the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Dance Ensemble, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Johnstown, the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, and a host of other events sponsored by UPJ and community organizations. The UPJ Dance Ensemble is the largest student organization on campus and presents a dance performance each winter. The museum is nationally accredited and offers more than five exhibitions annually.

There is always plenty to see and do in the greater Johnstown area. There are several festivals each year featuring a range of music choices and plenty of food, most with little or no admission fees. One of Pennsylvania's largest music festivals is the Johnstown FolkFest, held in historic Cambria City each Labor Day weekend, which draws more than 100,000 visitors. The Heritage Discovery Center; the Johnstown Flood Museum; the Johnstown Flood National Memorial; the city’s East Coast Hockey League team, the Johnstown Chiefs; and the national All American Amateur Baseball Association (AAABA) baseball tournament are just some of the off-campus activities available to students.

Drug-Free Workplace/School Policy

To implement its commitment to provide a drug-free environment for its students, faculty, and staff, the University of Pittsburgh has established the following policy:

The University of Pittsburgh prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance on University property or as part of any University activity. Faculty, staff, and students of the University must comply with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on possession and consumption of alcohol.

Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action within 30 days, including, but not limited to, a warning, written reprimand, suspension, dismissal, expulsion, and/or mandatory participation and successful completion of a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved by an appropriate health or law enforcement agency.

Any University employee paid from federally funded grants or contracts, or any student participating in any federally funded or guaranteed student loan program, must notify the University of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring at the University or while engaged in University activities.

Harassment Policy

No University employee, student, or individual on University property may intentionally harass or abuse a person (physically or verbally) with the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with such person's work or academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment.

Health Services

On campus, health care is available to all University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's full-time students. A health fee is paid by full-time students each term. A staff of two registered nurses and one nurse practitioner provide treatment for minor ailments, general health problems, and emergencies.

The Student Health Service is not equipped to handle severe accidents or illnesses. University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown is not accountable for student expenses incurred for medical treatment, hospitalization, or prescription drugs.

Courtesy care, on a limited basis, is also available to faculty and staff.

All incoming freshmen must provide to the University’s Student Health Service a completed health record and documentation of required immunizations including the month, day, and year the immunizations were administered.

Failure to Comply: Incoming full-time freshmen who, after receipt of notification by the University that their immunization records are incomplete, fail to provide proof of immunization or written request for exemption as described above will be prohibited from registering for any classes beyond the term following initial enrollment.

I.D. Cards

Identification cards are issued to all registered students of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown through the ID Center in the Office of Information Systems, 115 Biddle Hall. ID cards are used for student identification in the library, at sporting events, and to receive student rates for many campus events. The ID card is also used to access the student meal plan in the cafeteria and other eating venues on campus. In addition, the ID card provides access to a student’s “Mountain Cat Cash” account for purchases at all campus eating venues and the UPJ Bookstore. Students also have the option of using their ID card at vending machines on campus (snack, soda, copier, and laundry machines).  There is no charge for a student’s first UPJ ID card. A $20 fee is charged to replace a lost ID card.

Immunization Policy

The University requires the immunization of all incoming freshmen against measles, mumps, and rubella as a condition of attendance at the University of Pittsburgh. Incoming freshmen must provide to the University Student Health Service documentation of immunization that includes the month, day, and year that the immunizations were administered. Completed immunization forms must be kept on file in the Student Health Service.

Information Technology

The information technology unit comprises three distinct operational units responsible for the implementation and support of applied computer systems on campus. These units consist of:

• Information Systems that supports the ID Center, the UPJ Web site, and various administrative systems on campus
• Technical Services, whose responsibilities include the campus network, telecommunications, and all University computer hardware
• User Services that manages the computer labs, the residential network (ResNet), and the UPJ support desk

“Mountain Cat Cash” Account

Students have the option of creating a personal “Mountain Cat Cash” account by depositing funds at the UPJ business office. Students then use their UPJ ID cards to access this account and make purchases at the UPJ Bookstore and at all eating venues on campus. Mountain Cat Cash can also be transferred for use in campus vending machines. Mountain Cat Cash is a convenient way to make purchases on campus without the need to carry cash.

Personal Counseling Center

Counseling services are provided to assist UPJ students with their social and emotional concerns, including those related to home life or college-related experiences. Examples of concerns the center can assist with include homesickness, relationship problems, test anxiety, stress, depression, sexual assault, grieving, substance abuse, low self-confidence, eating disorders, etc. The mission of the Personal Counseling Center is to assist students with making their academic and personal experiences at UPJ as successful as they can be.

Individual and group counseling is available, and off-campus referrals are made as necessary. All student consultations are confidential and do not become part of the student’s academic record. Emergency and crisis situations are given top priority. Counseling services are available at no cost. A doctoral-level licensed psychologist and a master’s-level therapist staff the University’s Personal Counseling Center.

Students may drop by the office (121 Blackington Hall), call (814-269-7119), or Email to make an appointment. Additional information is available under the student services menu.

Sexual Harassment Policy

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to the maintenance of a community free from all forms of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment violates University policy as well as state, federal, and local laws. It is neither permitted nor condoned. The coverage of this policy extends to all faculty, researchers, staff, students, vendors, contractors, and visitors to the University.

It is also a violation of the University of Pittsburgh’s policy against sexual harassment for any employee or student at the University of Pittsburgh to attempt in any way to retaliate against a person who makes a claim of sexual harassment.

Any individual who, after thorough investigation and informal or formal hearing, is found to have violated the University’s policy against sexual harassment will be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, reprimand, suspension, termination, or expulsion. Any disciplinary action taken will depend upon the severity of the offense.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is prohibited in all University-owned and leased facilities, including residence halls and off-campus housing facilities and in all Univer­sity vehicles, including motor pool vehicles, campus buses, and vans.

Exceptions may be made with the approval of the director of environmental health and safety. Requests for the establishment of designated smok­ing areas must be submitted to the Office of Facili­ties Management.

Social Organizations

There are more than 70 clubs and organizations at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown that students may participate in according to their interests and career objectives. Students are encouraged to get involved in activities to enrich their total college and lifetime experiences. The range of groups include nine honor societies, three religious organizations, four fraternities, four sororities, musical and theater opportunities, more than 15 intramural programs, academic and departmental clubs, publications and media outlets, governance and professional organizations, special interest groups, and recreational clubs. For more information about a particular club or organization, contact the Office of Student Life, 130 Student Union Building, Johnstown, PA 15904.