Dear Parent:

Fall is an exciting time for everyone on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. It marks the entry into the community of our new freshmen, the class of 2011, and of our transfer students as well as the return to campus of our upper classmen after a busy summer of work and travel experiences. Our faculty, too, are returning to the classroom invigorated from a summer spent deeply engaged in research in their disciplines. I arrived on this campus in July, delighted to be joining a very special school, a place where students are known to the faculty and staff as individuals whose interests are nurtured on their journey of mind and spirit to self discovery and personal growth. It is a place where students can learn not only how to be skilled leaders but also how to be effective team members. Each individual plays an important part in the growth of the entire community. Pitt-Greensburg itself is nurtured by the rich intellectual resources of university that, at 220 years young, is one of the finest in the world. In a world of accelerating change, fuelled by globalization, deregulation, and digitization, we embrace those changes in our curriculum and in our activities as an opportunity to learn more, do more, be more.

Over the next months, we will be sharing with you many of the exciting developments on campus and in the larger Pitt community. We anticipate new curricular programs being developed and existing programs fine-tuned. We foresee new opportunities for experiential learning through expanded internships and field studies. We expect exciting lectures and workshops that extend the curriculum and offer new insights and perspectives. We look forward to new discoveries and the expansion of understanding that results from joint faculty and student research. Learning is a lifelong journey and an investment in each individual’s future. The path is not always clear, as opportunities present themselves and new discoveries lead in thrilling but as yet unanticipated directions. Join us on the journey.

Dr. Sharon P. Smith
President
Pitt-Greensburg

Now that we’re past the first four weeks of classes, students are settling in to the school year. Freshmen are adjusting to college and possibly to living away from home; their parents, to them being gone. Upperclassmen and their families are re-adjusting to the same. For some students, stress increases mid-September when the “honeymoon” phase ends: homesickness hits hard, “syllabus shock” – the realization of how much work is expected - sinks in, roommates become human and have imperfections, and fears about fitting in and academic performance surface. The reality of college stress can make homesickness worse.

As always, the best way to support students through this period is with non-judgmental concern. Let them know you care, remind them of their strengths, and refer them to supportive resources on campus… like the handouts on stress management in the Counseling Center. For homesickness in particular, keep students up to date with news of home – siblings, pets, etc. – but remind them that going home only postpones the work of becoming comfortable here. It’s usually best to encourage students to “tough out” homesickness, but you know your students better than anyone, so if you are concerned about how they are coping, please suggest they go to their RA or come to see me.

Next week, Amy Fontana, a Pitt graduate student, starts her year-long internship in the Counseling Center. We both can be reached at 724-836-9870, and you can contact me at gaylep@pitt.edu as well.

Gayle F. Pamerleau, LCSW
Director of Counseling

Meningitis Vaccines/Flu Shots
214 Chambers Hall
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
3 pm - 7 pm

On October 2, 2007, Meningitis shots will again be offered.  If you are interested, please call Passport Health at 412-372-4007 to make arrangements for that injection.  Cost $130.00, proper documentation will be provided to ensure payment from your insurance company.  If you choose to take advantage of this offer and make arrangements in advance, cash or check made payable to Passport Health is required. 

Also, flu shots will be given on Tuesday, October 2, 2007, from 3pm to 7pm, by Passport Health of Monroeville.  Cost $22.00 per injection.  This is open to faculty, staff, students and all families.  The clinic will be held in 214 Chambers Hall.  Located on the second floor of Chambers Hall above the book store.  Cash or check made payable to Passport Health will be accepted.

FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS:
TO ADD/DROP A COURSE: Your student must see his/her advisor to sign the enrollment form; Take the form to the Registrar's Office to complete the add/drop process.

FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS:
TO ADD/DROP A COURSE: Go to the Registrar's Office to complete the enrollment form.

http://www.dineoncampus.com/upg/index.cfm?