Student Life
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Deans’ Offices
The offices of the Dean of the Misher College of Arts and Sciences, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, and Dean of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy provide information and direction concerning academic and related matters such as course assignments, approval for summer courses, and information and applications pertaining to selected advanced degree programs and admissions tests. All student academic matters are channeled through these offices, which also issue a list of those students attaining sufficient academic averages to qualify for the Dean’s List. The Dean of Students offers support to students experiencing obstacles to their educational objectives, i.e., physical or emotional hardships.
All students are assigned individual academic advisors who are either faculty members or professional academic advisors. Academic advisors assist students in developing appropriate educational plans and accessing campus resources and provide information regarding policies and procedures. The Department of Academic Advising is available to assist all students with questions and concerns.
Student Affairs Complex
The Student Affairs Complex in Whitecar Hall provides a centralized location for the delivery of many academic and personal support services. Among the departments and units located in the complex are: the Dean of Students Office, Off-Campus Living, Residence Life, the Center for Community Connections, Office of Student Conduct and Disability Services, Campus Activities, Greek Life, and Multicultural Affairs and International Student Advising. Additional services provided by Student Affairs are located at 4140 Woodland Avenue and the Athletic Recreation Center.
Student Development
Students benefit from a full range of academic and personal support services that begin upon entry with the Orientation Program. Each incoming student is assigned to an Orientation Leader who assists the student in making the social and academic transition to college.
Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) Center
Services provided by the Student Health Department, located in the 4140 Building, include treatment for acute illnesses and injuries, consultations on health-related problems, allergy injections, and referrals to specialists or other health facilities when needed. All visits are confidential.
Emergency health care required outside the regular consulting hours may be obtained at the emergency room of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street. All expenses incurred by night or emergency care, confining illness, consultations, or hospitalizations are the responsibility of the student.
The Student Health Department is staffed by a registered nurse and a part-time practical nurse; and a part-time physician, Monday through Friday during the academic term (fall and spring semesters). The nurse is in attendance during summer sessions. Specific hours are stated in the Student Handbook.
All students are required to return the Student Health History and Physical form, which should be completed by their family physician prior to the student’s arrival on campus. Suggestions or comments from family physicians regarding athletic restrictions or other health problems should be indicated on the health form.
Counseling Department
Students who wish to focus on issues affecting academic performance or who require assistance with concerns of an emotional nature can access the services of the Counseling Department, located in the 4140 Woodland Avenue Building. The Counseling Center is staffed by psychologists and a consulting psychiatrist. Counseling services include individual counseling and sessions designed to enhance personal development and to assist students in areas such as decision making, interpersonal relations, and academic stress.
Student Insurance
In the best interest of our students, the University requires every student to have medical insurance based on the American College Health Association “Standards for College Student Health Insurance Programs.” Students may be covered under their parents’, their guardians’, or their own policy or through the Student Group Insurance plan. Available through the University, this plan covers medical and hospital expenses for a 12-month period, whether the student is at home or at the University. Details are available at the Student Health and Counseling Center in the 4140 Woodland Avenue Building.
Dining Services, located on the first floor of the Wilson Student Center, is operated by the University and serves 19 meals per week to resident students, commuter students, staff, and faculty. It also provides catering to the entire University community.
The facility provides seating for more than 500 with two distinct types of service. The main dining hall offers a scatter-plan form of cafeteria service with an unlimited buffet for dinners and weekend brunch and an extensiveá la carte weekday breakfast and lunch service with grill, deli, entrees, make-your-own stir fry, salad bar, display cooking, and take-out. The Uppercrust is a small convenience-type outlet that also offers freshly made pizza and other specialties.
Two additional facilities are also located on campus. Cappuccino’s, in Whitecar Hall, is a coffee and lite lunch bar located in the first floor lobby. Woodland Café, in the 4500 Woodland Avenue Building, is a small outlet on the first floor. These facilities offer a variety of foods from toasted bagels and pastries in the morning to soup and hot and cold sandwiches for lunch.
Three types of meal plans are available. The All-Meal Plan features 19 meals per week. The Freedom Meal Plan 175 is a flexible plan with 175 meals per semester. A Standard Declining Balance Plan is also available. Meal plan options depend on a student’s class and residence status. Weekly menus are available under Campus Life on the USP homepage at www.usip.edu/.
The bookstore, operated by Matthews Medical Bookstores, is located on the first floor of Whitecar Hall. The bookstore sells textbooks, lab kits, reference materials, computer supplies, and miscellaneous supplies required for college work. In addition, the bookstore sells a wide variety of USP clothing, gift items, greeting cards, sundries, magazines, newspapers, and SEPTA tokens. Merchandise is also available online under Bookstore on the USP homepage or at www.cbamatthews.com/usp/.
A shuttle service is available from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. during the fall and spring semesters. The shuttle service will transport students between residence halls, campus buildings, and offcampus student homes within the service area.
Athletics and Recreation
The University encourages participation in athletics and recreation. The Athletic/Recreation Center features two gymnasiums, three seperate weight and excercise areas, an indoor track, a swimming pool, and dance/aerobics studios. This facility provide facilities for exercise, intercollegiate, intramural, and recreational activities and is open to all students. The McNeil Athletic Fields include a jogging track, women’s softball field, and tennis courts.
Intercollegiate Varsity Sports
The Athletic Department offers 12 intercollegiate varsity sports teams. These teams compete against many Philadelphia area colleges as well as colleges from New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Connecticut.
The University is an active Division II member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Our teams currently compete int he Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). The Rifle teams hold membership in the Mid-Atlantic Intercollegiate Rifle Conference (MAC) and National Rifle Association (NRA).
USP offers the following sports:
Intramural Activities
The intramural sports and recreation activities program welcomes all students, faculty, and staff regardless of ability. The following league competitions are offered: basketball, darts, and volleyball. Tournament competitions may be offered in a variety of events such as pool, archery, bowling, table tennis, Trivial Pursuit, chess, softball, and frisbee.
Intramural athletics and activities operate at no cost to the student other than a refundable deposit. Further information is available through the Athletic Department.
Student Organizations
Several professional and scientific organizations maintain chapters at the University: the American Institute of Biological Sciences (Student Chapter), the American Chemical Society (Student Affiliate Chapter), the Mathematical Association of America (Student Chapter), the National Community Pharmacists Association, the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Students of Pharmacy, the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (Student Chapter), the Pennsylvania Society of Health-System Pharmacists/American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (Student Chapter), the Pharmaceutical Science Club, Phi Lambda Sigma, the Psychology Student Association, the Student Occupational Therapy Association, and the Student National Pharmaceutical Association.
Several groups are specific to USP: the Student Society of Medical Technology, the Pharmaceutical Marketing & Management Club; the Pre-Medical Society, the American Physical Therapy Association, the Physician Assistant Club, and the Pharmacology/Toxicology Club.
Several honor societies are represented at the University: Alpha Chi, Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Psi Chi National Honor Society, Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society, and Sigma Xi.
The following fraternities and sororities are represented by chapters at the University: Alpha Delta Theta, Alpha Phi Omega, Alpha Sigma Tau, Alpha Zeta Omega, Delta Phi Epsilon, Delta Phi Omega, Kappa Epsilon (Omicron Chapter), Lambda Kappa Sigma, Omega Chi Psi, Pi Lambda Phi, Phi Kappa Psi, Sigma Phi Zeta, and Upsilon Sigma Psi.
The student publications include a newspaper, The Advocate; a literary publication, The Elixir; and a yearbook, The Graduate, prepared by the student body.
Students have many opportunities to participate in service to the community through the Student Community Involvement Program (SCIP). Through SCIP student organizations and individuals provide services to nearby community agencies, schools, and shelters.
Students have the opportunity to participate in the following student organizations: The Alliance, Americans for Informed Democracy, the Asian Student Association, the Association of Latino American Students, the Atheist, Agnostic and Freethinking Students’ Association, BAPS Student Group, Black Student Union, Campus Activities Board, Encore, Inter-Greek Council, International Student Association, Kapisanan ng Philipino Instudiante (PCA), Kingsessing Players, Kingsessing Singers, Muslim Student Association, Southeast Asian Association (SAYA), Student Gift Giving Association, Tennis Club, USP Christian Fellowship, USP TV, Maya Dance Team, USP Scorchers (dance), Emmanuel College Fellowship, Hillel, Newman Club, and SPARKS.
Student Government
Student government is composed of students representing every major in every year, all recognized student organizations, residence halls, and commuters.
The functions of the student government are described in full in the Student Handbook.
The Student Government serves as the principal communications channel between the students and the University administration on matters of concern to students. Its membership is comprised of the president, vice presidents, advisor to student government, committees of student government, and all class senators and representatives from other recognized student groups.
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