[ Table of Contents | Graduate Arts and Sciences Home | Bulletins Homepage | Next Section ]





Student Services

  • Housing
    Unlike many large cities, Pittsburgh has a number of pleasant residential neighborhoods with private homes that have been converted to apartments. Many graduate students live in Oakland, where the University is located, or in the surrounding communities of Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Highland Park, and Mt. Washington. All these areas are within walking or easy commuting distance of the University. Bus transportation is widely available.

    There is no residence hall on campus for graduate students for the fall and spring terms. Accommodations are available, however, in the summer term. Rates are available upon request from the University Housing Office, which is located in the Litchfield Tower's Main Lobby. Limited housing for full-time graduate students is available from the Property Management Department, Graduate Housing, Ruskin Hall, at (412) 683-1460.

    Off-campus Housing. Most graduate students live in privately owned, off-campus housing. Newly admitted students should refer to GRAD-Guide, the FAS Graduate Student Handbook, for more information about housing and neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. The Commuter Resource Center's Off-Campus Housing Service (OCHS), located in 119 William Pitt Union, maintains computerized files on rental properties listed by individual landlords, real estate agencies, and apartment complexes. Listings range from individual sleeping rooms to large apartments and houses, and include furnished and unfurnished units. The listings are updated on a continuous basis and are available for review Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. No phone inquiries are accepted.

    Listed accommodations are neither "inspected" nor "approved" by OCHS. It is the student's responsibility to inspect a listing and to determine its suitability. Students can and should ask to see the file of complaints lodged against local landlords and realtors. The OCHS staff, however, is prepared to assist new students in becoming more familiar with local neighborhoods and to help them evaluate accessibility to transportation, shopping, and recreation areas.

    The OCHS also provides a Roommate Matching Service, Student Emergency Loans, a Bell Telephone Payment Agency and Bell of Pennsylvania Photo I.D. Center, maps, information on furniture rentals, renters' insurance, and apartment guides.

    Metropolitan phone service for students wishing to make calls concerning listings is provided free of charge. A Pitt ID with current validation is required to use the service.

    University Housing Office Property Management Commuter Resource Center
    Litchfield Towers Main Lobby Graduate Housing 119 William Pitt Union
    3990 Fifth Avenue Off-campus Housing Pittsburgh, PA 15260
    Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Ruskin Hall, 120 Ruskin Avenue (412) 624-7116
    (412) 648-1100 Pittsburgh, PA 15213
    (412) 683-1460
    http:// www.pitt.edu / ~property / pmhouseing



  • Student Health Service
    The Student Health Service, located within the Medical Arts Building at 3708 Fifth Avenue, provides Pittsburgh campus students with outpatient health care. Services provided include general medicine, allergy injections, dermatology, and an on-site pharmacy. Health educators provide programs and information that emphasize preventive approaches toward health care. Contraceptive education and gynecology services also are offered for students seeking education, counseling, and medical services at Forbes Clinic.

    All full-time students are assessed a health fee for services on their invoice. Part-time students may elect to purchase the health fee during the add/drop period each term or session. All others may pay a fee-for-service at the time of the visit. The health fee covers most services offered by the Student Health Service. There are additional charges for certain procedures, injections, injuries, and medication. Students are encouraged to acquire hospitalization insurance for emergency and inpatient medical care.

    Appointments are necessary for most services; however, same-day appointments for urgent problems are usually available from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday during fall and spring terms. Hours may vary during summer term and summer sessions; the Health Service is closed on weekends and major holidays.


  • Health Insurance
    A medical insurance plan is available to all students and is designed to provide back-up benefits for some of the services not offered at the Student Health Service. Although this coverage is provided by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, applications and claim forms are available at the Student Health Service, Suite 500, Medical Arts Building, 3708 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. (412) 383-1800.

    Teaching assistants, teaching fellows, graduate student assistants, and graduate student researchers with eligible academic appointments are currently eligible to elect enrollment from two plans offered by Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania: a traditional indemnity Blue Cross/Blue Shield/Major Medical Plan, or the SelectBlue managed care plan with the beneficial features of a health maintenance organization and the flexibility of the traditional insurance. The University will cover the cost of individual membership. Coverage is available for eligible spouses and dependents by paying the difference between the Individual and Dependent Options through a monthly payroll deduction. Students supported by fellowships and traineeships may be eligible to purchase membership by paying the full cost of the coverage through a monthly deduction. Information about this payroll deduction plan can be obtained in the Office of Human Resources, 200-B Craig Hall, (412) 624-7000.


  • Other Health Facilities
    The hospitals of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center are adjacent to the Pittsburgh campus. Emergency health problems are treated in their emergency rooms, and excellent medical and surgical care is available for serious illnesses.

    The Dental Clinic of the School of Dental Medicine, located on the first floor of Salk Hall, provides comprehensive dental care at reasonable rates.

    The psychological counseling services offered by the University Counseling and Student Development Center are described in a later section. The Clinical Psychology Center, sixth floor of Old Engineering Hall, offers a number of services, including individual counseling of limited duration designed to help with problems or concerns that might require professional assistance.


  • Child Development Center
    The center is a developmental child care facility for children between the ages of six weeks and five years. The children are free to select activities from an age-appropriate environment prepared by the teaching staff. The environment allows the child to practice previously learned skills and challenges the child to develop new psychosocial, cognitive, and motor skills in a relaxed, nurturing atmosphere. (412) 383-2100.


  • Counseling and Student Development Center
    The Center, located in the William Pitt Union, offers the following services without charge:

    Psychological Services. Counseling psychologists and consulting psychiatrists provide individual counseling for students, as well as group counseling focused on specific problem areas. Among the reasons people visit the Counseling Center are relationship problems, emotional or social difficulties, and concerns about academic progress or direction. Information can be obtained in Room 334 William Pitt Union or by calling (412) 648-7930.

    Career Development Program. Career counselors and a career Resource Center provide comprehensive planning help, including individual and group career counseling, career seminars, and career testing. This program is also in Room 334 William Pitt Union; their phone number is (412) 648-7930.

    Learning Skills Center. The Learning Skills Center offers both individual and group help to students wishing to improve their reading, math, or other study skills. Workshops are conveniently scheduled at various times; individual sessions in all areas are available upon request. All services are free and open to Pitt students, faculty, and staff. Information can be obtained in 311 William Pitt Union or by calling (412) 648-7920.


  • 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 available, as is information on the international dimensions of the University. (412) 624-7120.


  • Commuter Resource Center
    The Commuter Resource Center (CRC), located in 119 William Pitt Union, administers the Off-Campus Housing Service (OCHS), which provides listings of rental properties in Oakland and the Greater Pittsburgh area, and also assists in finding roommates. The service is available to the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Pittsburgh. Information regarding leases, rental insurance, and health and safety codes is also available. At the beginning of each term, this office houses a temporary Bell of Pennsylvania telephone store. The CRC and OCHS offices can be reached by calling (412) 624-7116. The CRC also offers a notary public and emergency student loan service center. Payment of Bell Telephone bills is also accepted.


  • University Student Judicial System
    The coordinator and staff of the Office of Judicial Affairs are responsible for the operation of an internal system of judicial bodies that adjudicate complaints or grievances initiated through the Student Code of Conduct. Information may be obtained in Room 738 William Pitt Union, or by calling (412) 648-7918.


  • University Placement Service
    Through an on-campus recruitment program, referrals, and position announcements, the University Placement Service helps students establish contact with employers in the fields of business, government, industry, private research, and education. A credential service maintains files of credentials including letters of recommendation that are sent, at the request of the student, to prospective employers. Special assistance and support are provided for FAS graduate candidates seeking positions in college and university teaching. The service also offers a student employment function where students may obtain temporary or part-time jobs on and off campus. Information can be obtained in Room 224 William Pitt Union or by calling (412) 648-7130.


  • 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.


  • Offices of Veterans Services and Disability Resources and Services
  • 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 Room 216 William Pitt Union or by calling (412) 648-7885.
  • Office of Disability Resources and Services
    The coordinator and a student staff match the special needs of students, staff, and faculty with disabilities with University and state services for the disabled. These services are determined by individual needs and include, but are not limited to, personal counseling, tape-recorded textbooks, Braille copy, interpreter scheduling, and adaptive testing. The coordinator, in conjunction with the Director of the Office of Affirmative Action, has been designated as responsible for consultation and for determination of accommodations and services for University activities in an effort to assist the University with compliance of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 216 William Pitt Union, (412) 648-7890.


  • 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: facilitates the development and implementation of equal opportunity policies for the University; participates in a variety of training events; provides service in internal grievance procedures; cooperates with all other administrative and executive offices in monitoring recruitment and hiring procedures; monitors progress in implementing affirmative action programs and realizing affirmative action goals; prepares institutional and governmental reports; conducts studies and undertakes research projects; serves as a resource center and library on affirmative action and related topics; serves as a link between the University and other institutions or agencies with related concerns across the nation. 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.


  • Graduate Student Organizations
    Faculty of Arts and Sciences-Graduate Student Organization (FAS-GSO) officially represents all graduate students in FAS. Its primary objective is to identify academic, social, and economic problems of graduate students at the University of Pittsburgh and to resolve them through discussion and collective action. Through representatives on various University Councils, FAS-GSO participates in decisions on such matters as reviewing new and existing graduate programs, the grading system, academic and extracurricular programs of the University, policy governing teaching assistants and fellows, improvement in on- and off-campus student living conditions, academic integrity, and student fees. The FAS-GSO has two main functions: communication and funding student activities.

    The FAS-GSO is a venue for students to voice concerns to students in other FAS departments and to the Graduate Dean and other members of the University administration. The FAS-GSO informs graduate students about potential policy changes, upcoming events, and services available to FAS students.

    The FAS-GSO receives funds from the Graduate and Professional Student Association; most of these funds are distributed to departmental graduate student organizations in proportion to the graduate registration in the department. The FAS-GSO receives funds from the dean's office for a graduate student assistant who maintains the FAS-GSO office at 910 Cathedral of Learning.

    All graduate students enrolled in departments of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences are members of FAS-GSO. A Council, composed of one delegate from each department, meets regularly and is the legislative body of FAS-GSO. At a well-publicized meeting, Council annually elects officers of FAS-GSO and representatives to the following University councils: FAS Council, FAS Graduate Council, University Council on Graduate Study, the University Senate Council, and Graduate and Professional Student Association.

    For more information, call (412) 624-6698 or see the FAS-GSO World Wide Web site at http://www.pitt.edu/~fasgso.

    Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) is the official umbrella graduate and professional student organization at the University of Pittsburgh. The purpose of GPSA is to represent both the academic and non-academic interests of all graduate and professional students, and to provide student-initiated and student-controlled services. GPSA is not intended to supplant graduate student organizations in departments or schools, but rather to coordinate joint efforts, promote communications among the schools, and provide a unified voice of graduate students to the University community. In recent years, the GPSA has offered a number of services to graduate and professional students, including Carnegie Museum passes, travel funding, and free appointments with a lawyer. For more information, see the GPSA Web site at http://www.pitt.edu/~gpsa/.



    [ Table of Contents | Graduate Arts and Sciences Home | Bulletins Homepage | Next Section ]