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  • Office of Affirmative Action


    The Office of Affirmative Action is part of the Office of the Chancellor, and the Director of Affirmative Action also serves as an assistant to the chancellor. This office is both an administrative and a service center for the University community. The Office of Affirmative Action provides the following services: coordinates and facilitates the development and implementation of equal opportunity and affirmative action policies and procedures for the University; monitors progress in implementing affirmative action programs and realizing affirmative action goals; prepares institutional and governmental reports; conducts studies and undertakes research projects; participates in a variety of training events; handles internal complaints of discrimination or discriminatory harassment; serves as a resource center and library on affirmative action and related topics; and serves as a link between the University and other institutions, governmental agencies, or community groups with related concerns. The staff is always available to answer inquiries or provide information. However, appointments are recommended for visitors. The office is located in 901 William Pitt Union. (412) 648-7860.


  • Office of Disability Resources and Services
    Disability Resources and Services provides comprehensive support services for students, faculty, and staff with physical and learning disabilities. Services include, but are not limited to: adaptive test administration, interpreters for the hearing impaired, Braille copy, tape-recorded textbooks, and on-campus transportation service for persons with physical disabilities. Individuals needing rides must contact the office to verify ride availability and to set up a ride schedule. The office also assists students with special testing arrangements, financial aid, counseling, training on adaptive equipment, and resolution of accessibility problems. 216 William Pitt Union, (412) 648-7890.


  • Office of International Services
    The Office of International Services is located on the seventh floor of the William Pitt Union; office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    The Office of International Services offers admissions advising, personal counseling, and international programming for international students and visiting foreign faculty at the University. The office also is responsible for all matters relating to regulations of the Immigration and Naturalization Service concerning international students, research scholars, and faculty. International ID cards are avilable, as is information on the international dimensions of the University. (412) 624-7120.


  • Office of Measurement and Evaluation of Teaching
    A consulting service is available without charge to assist students with questions related to the area of research design, measurement, and statistical analysis. A library of standardized tests is available. An appointment is required, and calls should be made as much in advance as possible due to heavy demand for services. The office is located in G-33 Cathedral of Learning. (412) 624-6440.


  • Office of Sexual Assault Services
    Sexual Assault Services, located in the William Pitt Union, provides individual and group counseling designed to alleviate the trauma associated with sexual victimization. Emergency medical, legal, and police advocacy are provided. Students are assisted in negotiating course schedule or room changes and obtaining medical, legal, and counseling resources available to them within the University and local communities.

    Sexual Assault Services also sponsors "PEERS"Peer Educators for an Environment free of Rape and Sexual Exploitation. PEERS is a volunteer student outreach program, the mission of which is to create awareness on the Pitt campus of the dynamics of sexual assault, promote healthy sexual relationships through effective communication, and prevent sexual victimization through educational programming.


  • Office of Student Activities (OSA)
    Office of Student Activities (OSA)
    The mission of the Office of Student Activities (OSA) is to contribute to the development and education of students and to enrich the overall quality of campus life. The office achieves its goal by providing a broad range of student services and a comprehensive program of cocurricular and extracurricular activities. The OSA is located in the William Pitt Union and can be reached at (412) 648-7830. The OSA is responsible for the following functions:

    William Pitt Union. The Union, located across from the Cathedral of Learning, serves as the focal point for campus activities, student organizations, and the Office of Student Affairs. The Union features a recreation center, arcade, food service, information desk, art gallery, TV room, dance studio, lounges, meeting rooms, student organization offices, ticket office, dining rooms, and several program spaces.

    Ticket Office. The ticket office, located on the main floor of the William Pitt Union, sells tickets to campus events, varsity competitions, and select local activities, and serves as an outlet for PAT passes. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket information is available at (412) 648-7814.

    Student Season Football Tickets. All students with a validated identification for the Fall Term are eligible for student season football tickets. Currently, one general admission season ticket to the student section may be purchased for $20. The student must show his or her identification validation sticker along with the game pass to gain entry to the stadium. All tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are made available to currently enrolled students in March of each year and to part-time students in July. Inquiries can be made by calling the ticket office at (412) 648-7814.

    Student Basketball Tickets. Tickets for all home games are distributed the week before the game through the William Pitt Union ticket office. All students with a validated Pitt ID are eligible for one ticket per game.

    Pitt Program Council (PPC). The PPC is a student organization that serves as the central programming organization for the campus. The council sponsors a variety of programs featuring the arts, film, video, lecture, travel, outdoor recreation, general entertainment, homecoming, the Jazz Seminar, and other special events. The PPC is located in the William Pitt Union and can be reached at (412) 648-7900. For information regarding events, watch for the PPC calendar and read the Pitt News. Membership is open to the student body by application.

    Student Government Board (SGB). SGB is the nine-member elected representative body for all non-College of General Studies (CGS) undergraduate students. It selects the representatives to the two policy-making councils in the arts and sciences; five undergraduate CAS students on the 11-member CAS Council, and two undergraduate CAS students on the 18-member Faculty of Arts and Sciences Council. In addition, the SGB selects the three students on the six-member Academic Integrity Board of CAS. SGB also maintains liaison with the individual departments and with the University administration and administers 48 percent of the student activity fee through its Allocations Committee. To help represent its constituency, the SGB has formed several standing committees that are open for general student participation: Affirmative Action, Governmental Relations, and Student Relations. The SGB's constitution also calls for an Allocations Committee to assist with the budget, an Elections Committee to supervise the election process, and a Judicial Committee to adjudicate problems. Membership on these three committees is determined by appointment from a pool of applicants.

    Certified Student Organizations. Over 250 certified student organizations provide myriad opportunities for extracurricular enjoyment. In addition to government, media, publications, programming, fraternities, sororities, and honoraries, there are clubs for sports, recreation, performing arts, politics, religion, service, professional and academic pursuits, ethnic and cultural enrichment, and many other specialized interests. A list of certified student organizations is available through the Office of Student Activities or the Student Organization Resource Center (SORC). Both are located in the William Pitt Union.

    Fraternities and Sororities (Greeks). The Greek organizations play a major role in campus life and provide an effective vehicle for students to assimilate into the college community. Although the focus of the Greeks is social, opportunities for leadership experience and service abound within the system and within each chapter. Rush or recruitment activities begin in September. For information, visit lnterfraternity Council or the PanheIlenic Association in the William Pitt Union or call (412) 648-7825.

    Student Publications Board (SPB). The SPB is the official publisher for the Pitt News, the campus newspaper, and Panther Prints, the yearbook. Both are located in the William Pitt Union and are open for membership.

    Black Action Society (BAS). BAS exists to meet the social, academic, political, and cultural needs of black students. The governance group endeavors to create and promote solidarity among black students, faculty, and administration within the University environment. This organization also represents the interests, concerns, and needs of black students. BAS is located in the William Pitt Union and can be reached at (412) 648-7880.

    Student Development Programs. The Office of Student Activities (OSA) supports the efforts of student organizations by providing leadership workshops for campus leaders and organizations and also trains over 100 freshmen yearly in its Emerging Leader Program. To help students assimilate into student life, OSA also sponsors the Freshman Student Activities Fair during Orientation. OSA has designed a Student Development Transcript to help students document and validate their extracurricular activities. Information regarding these programs can be obtained by visiting the Office of Student Activities in the William Pitt Union or by telephoning (412) 648-7830.

    Student Volunteer Outreach. The SVO promotes, facilitates, and supports the participation of students in volunteer community service activities. The SVO sponsors about 15 service projects each month and recruits students and student organizations to staff the one-day events. It also facilitates the placement of students in regular volunteer positions with over 100 local agencies and is currently promoting the development of service internships. It also sponsors annual programs such as the Scouting for Food Campaign and the Alternative Spring Break Service Experience. The SVO is located at 3814 Forbes Avenue; phone: (412) 648-1480.

    The Student Organization Resource Center. Referred to as the SORC, the office provides support services for student organizations. It administers the certification of student organizations and houses the student activities business office. The SORC offers fax, mail, and notary and copy services for undergraduate organizations and computer accounts for all groups. 119 William Pitt Union; phone: (412) 624-7115.

    The Graduate and Professional Student Association. GPSA is the officially recognized student government for graduate and professional students of the University. GPSA is the umbrella organization for the individual graduate student governments of the 14 graduate and professional schools and, as such, conducts General Assembly meetings attended by representatives from each of these organizations. The GPSA advocates for graduate and professional student interests and provides free legal consultation, travel grants for conference participation, and Carnegie Museum passes. 628 William Pitt Union; phone (412) 648-7844

    College of General Studies Student Government. This organization represents the needs and interests of the CGS student body to the administration, faculty, and community and develops programs that benefit CGS students both socially and academically. 615 William Pitt Union; phone (412) 648-7895.

    Concourse Service Center. The center is located at the concourse level of the William Pitt Union. In addition to handling Bell Telephone payments, the center sells newspapers, stamps, and evelopes and provides dry cleaning services, discount film processing, and a snack shop. The center is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays during fall/spring terms. Summer term hours are subject to change. (412) 624-6342.

    Association of Chaplaincies. The Office of Student Activities serves as liaison to the association. For more information, contact the association at 801 William Pitt Union or call (412) 383-7270.


  • Office of Student Personnel Services
    The Office of Student Personnel Services (OSPS) functions as a processing and monitoring agency of the school on both the graduate and undergraduate levels, coordinating student admission through graduation with all programs and departments of the school and University and appropriate governmental agencies. All students' record files are maintained in this office. All applications for admission, graduation, financial aid, transfer of credits, etc., are available in this office, located in 5N Forbes Quadrangle.


  • Office of Veterans Services
    The staff of this office assists veterans, war orphans, and veterans' dependents in the obtaining and use of their VA educational benefits. In addition to these services, the office implements the VA work study program. The staff serves as the veterans' representative with the University, the Veterans Administration, and related agencies. Contact may be made in G-3 Thackeray Hall or by calling (412) 648-7885.


  • Pennsylvania Service Learning Evaluation Network
    Pennsylvania Service Learning Evaluation Network evaluates service learning in Pennsylvania schools and community-based organizations.


  • Professional Organizations
    Several professional education organizations have chapters at the University. These groups choose their members from among both the undergraduate and graduate students in education. Their main purpose is to promote professional ideas and ideals and to foster a genuine interest in the student's future work.

    Phi Delta Kappa. Phi Delta Kappa, national professional education fraternity, was established at the University in 1924. Its membership is composed chiefly of graduate students who expect to make teaching or administrative work in schools a permanent vocation. Membership is by invitation.

    Pi Lambda Theta. Pi Lambda Theta, a national honorary and professional association in education, was established at the University in 1927. Active members are chosen from among those recommended as having shown notable professional interest, superior scholarship attainments, and high qualities of leadership and personal worth.

    Iota Lambda Sigma, Iota Lambda Sigma, a national professional education fraternity, was established at the University in 1934. Its membership is composed of students who are engaged in teaching and administration of industrial arts and vocational education.

    Education Alumni Association. The Education Alumni Association is a professional and social association whose membership is composed of all graduates of the School of Education. The purpose of this association is to support the interests of the School of Education, to advance the interests of School of Education alumni, and to support and advance the cause of higher education. The association is governed by the Education Alumni Association Executive Committee, whose officers and committees meet regularly to support the school in such areas as student recruitment, research implementation, scholarships and fellowships, fund raising, lectures, and social activities. The Education Alumni Association cooperates with the School of Education and the University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association, with which it is an affiliated subdivision.

    Council of Graduate Students in Education (CGSE). The Council of Graduate Students in Education is the official student organization representing all students enrolled in the graduate division of the School of Education. The CGSE works continually to make the graduate experience as successful and trouble-free as possible. It serves its constituency by communicating student concerns to faculty and administrators and communicating the goals and projects of CGSE to the student body.

    CGSE provides an information and referral service to supplement the procedural information contained in this Bulletin and the counseling on program and career planning provided by advisers. For further information, visit the office in 5D10 Forbes Quadrangle.


  • Reading Center
    The School of Education's Reading Center serves the University community and the general public by providing clinical services for those having difficulty with reading and the other language arts. Additionally, the center is used in the investigation of the processes of reading instruction as the clinical practicum site for programs in reading education.


  • Riding the U-Zone
    The U-Zone encompasses a limited boundary area within the Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and Oakland neighborhoods. University members can ride buses in the U-Zone by showing a current and valid Pitt I.D. In addition to the U-Zone, Pitt also offers discounted bus passes and discounted cash fares on Port Authority buses, trolleys, and inclines. For more information, call Campus Transportation at (412) 624-8612.


  • 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.

    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 an 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, with explicit limited exceptions described below.

    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 for review, in accordance with Procedure 04-05-03, Smoking. If approved, any expenses associated with creating a "Smoking Area," including posting of signs indicating where smoking exceptions are allowed, will be charged to the departmental budget of the requesting unit.


  • Student Advisement and Counseling
    Applicants interested in pursuing education as a career or seeking information about undergraduate study and the many graduate programs in the School of Education may request pre-admission counseling through the Office of Student Personnel Services. Appointments are preferred. The following services are provided:

    pre-admissions counseling for individuals interested in pursuing education as a career or for those seeking information about the many graduate programs in the School of Education

    admissions processing for individuals who are pursuing Instructional II (permanent) certification, interested in exploring graduate programs without reference to degree, initial or advanced certification, or transferring credits to degree programs outside the School of Education.


  • Students' Rights and Responsibilities
    Student Rights and Student Code of Conduct

    A full statement of the rights accorded to students and the conduct expected of them may be found in the Student Code of Conduct and Judicial Procedures, available from the Office of Special Student Programs, 738 William Pitt Union.

    Social Regulations
    The responsibility for determining the nature and extent of the social regulations in specific cases rests with the student governing body in each area. Residence hall social regulations, for example, are determined by the Resident Student Association.

    Specific regulations regarding student conduct may be found in one of the publications listed below:

    The Pitt Pack: Student handbook consisting of four individual pamphlets: (1) "General Information," (2) "Student Organizations," (3) "Student Services," (4) "Finances and Academics"
    Kaleidoscope: residence hall social policy.
    Interfraternity Council Constitution and Bylaws: fraternity social policy.
    Student Code of Conduct and Judicial Procedures


  • Tri-State Area School Study Council
    The Tri-State Area School Study Council is one of the oldest and largest study councils in the nation. Its membership includes over 100 school districts, intermediate units, vocational-technical schools, dioceses, colleges, and private schools. The council is supported largely by fees from member districts and by a subsidy from the University of Pittsburgh, where it is headquartered.

    The mission of Tri-State is to improve the quality of educational opportunity for children and youth by helping to strengthen school organization and administration. It accomplishes this mission through conferences, workshops, institutes, and lectures for school administrators and school board members; consultation services to districts; information retrieval services; exchange of information relative to new educational practices, programs, and publications; and cooperative research projects.

    Tri-State offers a limited number of graduate student assistant positions each year, which provide a stipend and tuition remission. Students supported in these positions assist Tri-State in planning and managing conferences and other meetings, preparation of materials for publication, and a variety of other administrative responsibilities. These positions offer a unique opportunity for students to broaden their acquaintance with the field of school administration. Students interested in applying for these graduate student assistantships should contact the Executive Secretary of the Tri-State Area School Study Council.


  • University AIDS Policy
    The University of Pittsburgh does not discriminate against individuals who are diagnosed as HIV positive or as having AIDS.

    The University recognizes that the health condition of individuals is personal and confidential. Reasonable precautions will be taken to protect information regarding the health condition of all members of the University community.

    Based on medical evidence that indicates that there is no risk of transmitting HIV through casual contact in the classroom or circumstances involving only casual contact with others, the University will impose no undue restrictions on faculty, staff, or students who are infected with HIV.


  • University Center for International Studies (UCIS)
    At the University level, the University Center for International Studies provides a vital focus to programs with an international dimension. For faculty and students in education, UCIS reinforces and extends the goals and activities of the School of Education's Institute for International Studies in Education (IISE). UCIS coordinates the international research and interdisciplinary instructional programs of the University. It offers a variety of services to faculty and students, especially by providing advice and assistance in preparing applications for grants and fellowships, and also houses the University's Study Abroad Program. In addition, UCIS contains four area studies programs: Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, Russian and East European Studies, and West European Studies, as well as the International Business Center, all of which are United States Department of Education national resource centers.


  • University Counseling and Student Development Center
    The center, 334 William Pitt Union, offers the following professional services without charge:

    Psychological Services: Counseling psychologists, social workers, and consulting psychiatrists work with students through individual and group counseling. People come to the Counseling Center for various reasons: emotional or social difficulties, marital or other relationship problems, and concerns about academic progress or direction. (412) 648-7930.

    Career Development Program: Career counselors and a Career Resource Library provide comprehensive planning help, including individual and group career counseling and career testing. (412) 648-7930.


  • University Library System
    The University of Pittsburgh Libraries and collections provide an abundant amount of information and services to the faculty, students, staff, administrators, and researchers of the University. In fiscal year 1996, the UniversityUs collections totaled more than 3.7 million volumes, 3.6 million pieces of microforms, and nearly 26,000 subscriptions. Hillman Library is the largest of the libraries, and houses the major collections for most of the disciplines of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The research collections of the departments of economics, fine arts, music, and all of the departments of the natural sciences are housed in branch libraries located in various locations on campus. Many of the professional schools maintain libraries useful to Arts and Sciences faculty and students, such as the Falk Library of the Health Sciences; the libraries of the Schools of Engineering, Law, and Library and Information Science; the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business; the Graduate Schools of Public Health and Public and International Affairs; and the library of the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. A student with a validated identification card is entitled to privileges at all libraries.

    Information about books and serials available at the University of Pittsburgh libraries can be found in PITTCAT, the on-line catalog for University Library System. PITTCAT currently contains bibliographic information for millions of book and periodical titles. PITTCAT terminals are located in all libraries. PITTCAT PLUS may also be accessed from computers on or off campus, and via the World Wide Web at: http://www.library.pitt.edu.
    Hillman Library. The Hillman Library has been designated a depository of US government publications, as well as documents from Pennsylvania and Canada. It also receives publications of the United Nations and associated international agencies. These are housed in the Documents Collection on the ground floor. Access to an ever-increasing number of databases is available in most libraries in the system. The reference librarian in each library should be contacted for information.

    On the ground floor are located most of the general service departments such as Reference and Lending Services, Documents, Maps, and the Reserve Book Collection. The first floor houses the African-American Collection, the Alldred Browsing Room, which contains a collection to serve the extracurricular reading interests of the entire University community; the Buhl Social Work Collection; the Stark Listening Center with recordings, tapes, and CDs of the spoken word and selected music; and the largest computer lab on campus.

    The second floor includes the microforms facilities including the complete microfilm series of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) and all University theses. Also on the second floor is the East Asian Library that supports chiefly the area studies on China and Japan.

    The third and fourth floors contain the major research collections in the social sciences and humanities. Carrels are provided here for graduate students and may be reserved each term at the ground-floor lending desk. The Special Collections Department and Archive Services Center are also located on the third floor, as well as a quiet study area. The fourth floor houses the current periodical collection.

    Library Resources. In addition to Hillman Library, departmental and associated libraries at the University serve the various professional schools and their departments. The Allegheny Observatory Library concentrates on astronomy and astrometry; it contains an outstanding collection of star photographs. The Chemistry/Computer Science Library in Alumni Hall reflects the research interests of those departments. The Graduate School of Public and International Affairs/Economics Library contains published and unpublished data in regional and urban economics and demography. The Darlington Memorial Library is largely devoted to the Colonial period in America through the Revolution and the War of 1812, with emphasis on Western Pennsylvania. Many rare books and fine atlases from the 15th century through the 20th are here. The Henry Clay Frick Fine Arts Library collections in art, architecture, and sculpture support research in art history. Of particular interest are Oriental books and replicas of scrolls and materials covering the Byzantine, early Christian, Medieval, and Renaissance periods. Langley Biological Sciences/Psychology Library serves those departments. The Mathematics Library is primarily a graduate study and research collection for advanced mathematics. The Theodore M. Finney Music Library is a research facility containing reference works, printed music, manuscripts, periodicals, microfilm, and recordings. The Physics Library contains books and journals in physics, astrophysics, and earth and planetary sciences.

    Besides the preceding facilities, the following professional schools and groups maintain libraries: Engineering, Business, Information Sciences, Law, the Nursing Learning Resources Center, and the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.

    Library Resources Outside the University. In general, the University has sufficient resources to satisfy the needs of graduate students and faculty. However, if needed material cannot be found, the Interlibrary Loan Services, located at G-27, ground floor of Hillman, assists students and faculty in obtaining it from other libraries. Cooperative arrangements have been developed between the University and neighboring academic institutions such as Carnegie Mellon, including Mellon Institute, Duquesne University, and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, to provide supplementary borrowing and research privileges. Many Pittsburgh area libraries are open to scholars, including those of the Allegheny County (Law), Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Bureau of Mines.


  • University Patent Policy
    A University student, during his/her period of enrollment, may be responsible for new discoveries and inventions that could have commercial value and contribute to scientific, technological, social, and cultural progress. Those accomplishments should be patented in the best interest of the student, the University, the public, and the government. The University's policy on patents determines the rights and obligations of the student and the University in any technology the student may invent while enrolled in the University. Details of this University policy are available from the Office of Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property in the Office of the Provost.







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