StudentLifeBrochure

Someone is always here to respond to what you need...

Even though you are living away from home, there are plenty of people to help you when you need something. Cal U makes it really easy for you to do everything from finding a math tutor to joining an aerobics class.

Just your style

Your CA is a new best friend

Whether you prefer a private room, a traditional roommate or as many as three suitemates, you can rest assured you’ll feel right at home at Cal U. Do you have special interests, like the band, a club or a Greek organization?

You might want to live in one of the specialty housing communities in our residence halls.

For example, there are designated wellness communities for students who oppose the use of alcohol and tobacco. Students who have been accepted into the Honors Program may opt to live in Honors Hall, a specially designed building that features both residential and state-of-the-art classroom facilities.

If you’re a traditional-aged student, you’ll be required to live either at home or in University housing for the first four semesters of your college career. First- and second-year students typically live in one of our six beautiful main-campus residence halls. Each hall is supervised by a director who assures that your new home-away-from-home is both comfortable and safe. In addition, you can always go to your community assistant (CA), a specially trained undergraduate or graduate student who lives on your floor and who can answer a variety of questions on just about any topic related to the University.

GET ORIENTED Before you begin classes at Cal U, you will be invited to attend a very special four-day orientation session. It’s going to be an amazing introduction to Cal U, with an overview of our history, our students and life on campus. You’ll learn about the different services offered on campus, including dining, residence life, clubs and organizations. You will even have the opportunity to meet our University President, Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr. Orientation days are your introduction to the University and your first opportunity to feel Cal pride. Join us!

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Don’t have a car?

The Vulcan Flyer, Cal U’s speedy shuttle, makes regularly scheduled loops around the main and south campuses.

The shuttle is a free service to the Cal U community.

For travel off campus, Cal U offers access to Zipcar, the world’s largest car sharing service. Learn more at calu.edu/parking.

The Suite Life

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Cal U’s student housing is among the best in the nation. Most underclassmen live in one of our six smoke-free, coed residence halls on the main campus. Students can also request a room at our garden-style apartment complex on the south campus.

All Cal U housing units feature air conditioning, carpeting, free local telephone service, cable TV and high-speed Internet connections. Most students share a bathroom with only one other person, and never more than three others.

The whole campus has a real great vibe.

”

CHASE DeCARLO BEAUFORT, S.C.

A home away from home...

This place is just like home — only better. You’ve got tons of privacy and plenty of room for all your stuff. Best of all, new friends will be right here with you.

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Not your typical “dorm”

On-campus safety

What do students want most in a residence hall?

We asked that question, then designed our new buildings based on student feedback.

The results speak for themselves. Gone are the long hallways, cramped, shared bedrooms and group bathrooms. Housing at Cal U is a combination of private rooms and two- and four-person suites. Each residence hall is equipped with a computer lab, a community room, a TV area with a large-screen TV, a kitchen with a microwave, and a vending area.

There are a lounge and study rooms on every floor, along with recycling areas and a laundry room.

For your safety, fire suppression and smoke detection systems ensure prompt response to fire emergencies. Digital video cameras are positioned throughout the property in various locations. Cal U’s University Police officers are always available if an emergency arises.

Saving the planet Cal U has been the most energy efficient school in the State System for more than 15 years in a row. Geothermal heat pumps keep the residence halls comfortable, greatly reducing the need for fossil fuels and shrinking the University's overall energy footprint.

room to be

BRINGIT Cal U’s rooms and suites are fully furnished, but there’s plenty of room to personalize your space. Feel free to bring things that make you feel at home. Of course you’ll want your favorite photos and posters. Bring your video games and DVDs. Maybe you’ll want a quilt that matches your roommate’s — or not. Some students bring a TV, microwave or mini-fridge.

Check with your roommate first, to avoid duplication. Leave items like candles, hot plates and halogen lamps at home. Stay tuned for more information about how to pack for the suite life before you start living at Cal U.

WHERE IT’S AT What’s up at the Natali Student Center? In a word, everything.

The Natali Student Center is the place on campus to hang out. Bring a pocket full of quarters to the Arcade Room. Check out the competition at The Corner Pocket Billiard Hall. Catch a different free movie every week at the Vulcan Theater. Grab a bite to eat or simply relax between classes. The Performance Center is where you’ll find various special programs, dances and club events. If you live off campus, head to the Commuter Center with its comfortable lounge areas, computers, printer, lockers, kitchenette and Share-A-Ride service.

Cal U’s Career Services is one of the busiest departments at the University.

From your first day of school, Career Services is on your side. Through the First Year Seminar class, you’ll learn how to make a plan to graduate in four years — and how to stick to it. Career Services can also help you find an internship and build leadership skills.

CAL U GREEKS Students with special CONTRIBUTE physical or learning NEARLY needs can get $ additional support each year from the Office to community organizations for Students with Disabilities. Contact the office prior to your first semester at Cal U, so we can best accommodate your needs.

Special places

Special people

Cal U offers a variety of services to help students, both academically and personally.

For example, the Counseling Center is available to all students free of charge.

Two licensed psychologists provide confidential assistance with a wide range of issues, including relationship problems, stress, academic difficulties, anxiety and depression, eating disorders, trauma

The Campus Ministry offers spiritual fulfillment through character development, prayer, learning, service and social interaction. Numerous activities, such as the Young and Gifted Gospel Choir, are sponsored by this active Cal U organization. Minority students have the option of joining the Black Student Union or the Hispanic American Student Union, while the Women’s Center helps Cal U women network and enhance their college experience.

From college to career

and substance abuse.

20,000

find your way

Go Greek

More than a dozen fraternities and sororities have chapters at Cal U. Greek Week is a popular event where teams compete in a variety of athletic and fun events.

But it’s not all about games. Cal U Greeks are driven to serve our community, too.

Hit the books

Like it or not, you’ll be doing quite a bit of studying at Cal U. After all, how else will you get the grades that will lead to a great job?

Some students find they can concentrate and get a lot of work done in their rooms or the study lounges in the residence halls. In nice weather, the courtyard behind the main campus residence halls is a popular place to hit the books. If you want to avoid distraction, head for the Manderino Library. Check out a laptop and settle into a private study nook or collaborate with classmates on a project.

The library is staffed with experts who can help you with everything from getting e-books and professional journals for a research project to finding credible sources on the Internet.

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There is no better way to Kick off the year than this ...

On the first weekend of the fall semester, head up to Roadman Park on Cal U’s south campus for the huge Party in the Park. It’s a great way to catch up with friends, meet new people and kick off the new school year. There is a free concert with great bands, lots of good food and lots of fun.

WHAT’S GOING ON

Being here

Check out some of the events sponsored by the Student Association, Inc., as well as the other 250 clubs and organizations that keep Cal U students learning and laughing all year long: • Free concerts, speakers and debates • Professional comedians • First-rate theater productions • Art shows and exhibitions

activate

• The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service • Cultural programs, such as the Reed Recital Series

•“The Big Event” community service project • Open Mic Night at the Underground Café

• Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concerts • Special Black History Month programs • Homecoming Week

• Trips to Pittsburgh sporting events

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The big picture

MORE THAN

250

At Cal U, we believe extracurricular activities CLUBS AND are an important part of ORGANIZATIONS your education, because Including 16 NCAA they help build character Division II Teams and promote personal growth. So every time you participate in an organization, take a leadership role in a project or enjoy a unique learning experience, you can document it on your Cal U Activities Transcript. The transcript will become part of your official record at Cal U. It can be used to enhance your resumé, so potential employers or grad schools will see you as you really are.

Ask any Cal U student what his or her favorite event is, and you’ll get a different answer. It’s no wonder when you think about how many activities there are on campus. Everyone loves Homecoming, with its week-long list of activities. And what about the Underground Halloween Bash? Then there’s the weekly open mic at the Underground Café. You never know who will wow the crowd with music or poetry. Make sure you’re around for the serious debates, side-splitting comedians, first-rate concerts and other fun things.

Whether you’re into laser tag, classical performances or helping out with community service projects, there’s something for you at Cal U.

Get in the game Interested in athletics? Cal U competes in 16 different NCAA Division II varsity sports.

Fall sports include football, volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer and crosscountry. Winter sports center around men’s and women’s basketball, women’s swimming, and men’s and women’s indoor track and field. In the spring, there’s baseball, softball, women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s track, as well as golf.