Student Life

• Institutional Effectiveness
• Student Affairs
• University Police
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Division of Institutional Effectiveness, Student Affairs, University Police, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (IESAPDEI)

The Division of Institutional Effectiveness, Student Affairs, University Police, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (IESAPDEI) fosters opportunities to engage students in an environment conducive to lifelong learning. Student Life is a critical component of a student’s learning experience that goes beyond the classroom and provides a safe and healthy living and learning environment. Our student-centered approach promotes learning, social interaction, and personal growth in a multicultural world. We are committed to developing empowered and responsible students in their progression towards graduation and global citizenship.

Brief descriptions of our functional areas are below.

Institutional Effectiveness

The Office of Institutional Effectiveness establishes systematic frameworks of assessment and ensures PennWest fulfills its mission and strategic plan by cultivating a data-informed culture through continuous improvement and accountability. 

Institutional Effectiveness aspires to create a university-wide culture of assessment and continuous improvement.

Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs provides student-centered experiences to enhance students’ personal and professional development through holistic programs, services, and facilities. Echoed by our core values, the division fosters engagement through inclusive co-curricular and experiential learning opportunities within our campuses and regional communities.

Auxiliaries and Project Management

Dining Services

The goal of University Dining Services is to provide a quality, cost-effective, innovative dining program for students living on and off campus. The University encourages student involvement and awareness to help provide quality, nutritious meals at a reasonable cost. Dining locations provide an important environment for student interaction and socialization. Students living in a residence hall, as well as commuters, may choose from a variety of meal plans. All students who live in a university residence hall must participate in the meal plan program.

PennWest Student Centers

The mission of the Student Center is to serve as the “family room” for the campus Community. We are dedicated to providing and fostering life-long learning opportunities for our community through a broad array of services, facilities, and programs of an educational, multicultural, and recreational nature.

Campus Life

Campus Life aids students in their transition to PennWest through Orientation and Welcome Weekend programs and challenges students to learn and grow through involvement clubs and organizations, University Programming, Homecoming Activities, Greek Life, and Leadership & Career Development. We host several events throughout the year that are planned and coordinated by students, for students. The Programming Boards are the central event planning group for the campus. The student-run organizations provide entertainment and activities for all students. These events enhance the educational, cultural, social, and recreational aspects of the university experience. Activities include speakers, comedians, recreation, and a wide variety of other events that are free to students.

We strive to give students and clubs the autonomy to host their own events, while imparting leadership opportunities for students to become campus leaders. We work in constant communication with the Student Government and the Student Associations for the advancement of the student body.

We offer a variety of resources and programming that enhances college life and celebrates individual differences. We provide leadership opportunities that foster personal and professional development while coordinating multicultural initiatives. We encourage acceptance and appreciation of cultural differences where everyone is welcomed and supported. We are dedicated to helping you develop the skills and experiences valued by employers and learn how to prepare for the transition from college to career.

Bookstore: The PennWest Campus Stores

The Campus Store is your one stop shop for textbooks, course materials and all your PennWest gear. Managed by Follett Higher Education, each campus has a physical store location in the Student Center and all PennWest students can access the virtual store at www.shoppennwest.com

Fraternity and Sorority Life

Fraternities and sororities offer students a multitude of benefits that greatly supplement their college experience. Being a part of Greek Life offers students the ability to gain real world skills outside of the classroom. Students can gain valuable interpersonal and leadership experience by holding Executive board positions in their organizations or by attending National Conferences and Workshops. Greek organizations hold all members accountable for their grades with many of them having a GPA requirement to join and to stay a member. Another Core pillar of Greek life is service, with all Greek Organizations participating in community-wide service projects as well as their doing charitable work for their own organizational philanthropies. Finally joining a Greek organization connects you with people of similar values, aspirations, and interests that are sure to blossom into life-long friendships. This further extends to students through the nation-wide network of members of their Organization or the greater Greek Community that can offer a connection no matter what route life takes you.  This serves as the basis for Greek Letter Movement both at PennWest and since its inception over 150 years ago.

New Student Orientation/Welcome Weekend

Occurring in the summer, New Student Orientation provides incoming students and their parents/supporters one final opportunity to visit campus prior to the start of the semester. As part of the program, participants will have an opportunity to meet with Financial Aid, Residence Life, Campus Life, and other offices/departments to ensure all necessary paperwork has been submitted so the student can smoothly start their first semester. There is also an opportunity for students to review their fall schedule, meet with faculty & success coaches and meet other students.

Welcome Weekend occurs the weekend before classes start and seeks to get new students acclimated to life on campus. Through interactive programs students will learn about rules and policies related life on campus and in the Residence Halls, opportunities for involvement in clubs/organizations, how to find their classes and will participate in campus traditions, as well as other fun activities.

Student Conduct

Standards for student-conduct are established to maintain order, to provide for the safety and wellbeing of all members of the University community, to support a positive living and learning environment, and to uphold the good name of the University. Students are held accountable for their actions and are encouraged to function as positively contributing members of the University community. Consistent with the educational mission of the University, appropriate efforts are made to foster personal and social development. The Dean of Students Office provides the due process through which allegations of misconduct are adjudicated. Copies of the Student Code of Conduct and Procedures are available here.

Student Government & Student Association

The Student Government is the official representative body of the students at PennWest and has a presence on each campus. Student Government responds to various student issues and concerns to enhance the quality of life for PennWest students. Student Government officially recognizes student organizations and works with the Student Associations to annually allocate Student Activity Fee budgets to the student organizations on our campuses so they can sponsor campus-wide programs and activities.

Membership in Student Government, or on a Student Association Board, is a terrific way to develop your leadership skills through attending meetings, serving on committees, planning programs, working on student concerns, and participating in leadership conferences.

Student Organizations

A complete list of student organizations can be obtained upon request to campuslife@pennwest.edu or by signing into the Engage platform for PennWest: engage.pennwest.edu

Residence Life and Housing

PennWest offers comfortable and contemporary housing in suites and apartment style complexes. PennWest is proud of our residential communities that offer students more privacy in their living options while remaining near classes, the student center, dining area, and all the campus athletic venues. Our contemporary housing offer convenience and commitment from the university community to promote student success. In all residence hall rooms, each student has individual furnishings that include a bed, dresser, desk, desk chair and wardrobe/ closet and high-speed Internet access. All residence halls feature common lounges with wireless access, recreation areas, television lounges, vending/snack equipment and on-site laundry facilities.

The mission of Residence Life and Housing is to provide a safe and supportive environment which allows our residents to engage and explore learning outside of the classroom.  Within our well-maintained facilities, we strive to provide our residents with support and resources as well as activities that create a sense of belonging, community, civic responsibility and appreciation of diversity. The Residence Life and Housing staff is available to assist new students in making the transition from home to life on campus and to assist students in developing knowledge and skills that will give them a foundation for achieving excellence within and outside of the classroom. The residence hall staff provides activities and opportunities for students to become involved in campus life and community activities. Professional staff are helped by Graduate Hall Coordinators and undergraduate Community Assistants in each community’s operation.

Safety and security are among our top concerns. Students living on campus will reside in facilities having smoke and heat detection systems and sprinklers throughout the facilities. In addition, card access systems are available in all the living units. Beyond the available equipment, the halls are staffed by well-trained professional students and employees who work to maintain a safe environment. Safety education is on-going in the hall communities. In addition, the university police and the Office of Safety and Risk Management participate in staff and student education programs and routinely may be found in the residence halls.

Wellness

Health Promotions 

The Wellness offices provide students with information and resources that they may use for programming, educational purposes, or personal use. Free materials are available for all students that cover a wide variety of topics, ranging from mental health to healthy- eating habits.

The Wellness Offices also support Health Promotions programs such as BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students) and CASICS (Cannabis Screening and Intervention for College Students). BASICS and CASICS are the nationally recognized alcohol and marijuana education programs utilized on each PennWest campus. These programs form a comprehensive strategy to improve well-being; reduce underage drinking and other drug abuse among students and promote the ideals of safety and wellness to all students.

Student Health Services

Health Services provides the highest-quality episodic patient care paying special attention to the needs of college students. Additionally, Health Services supports and enhances education and increases retention by modifying or removing health-related barriers to learning and by promoting optimal wellness.

Health Services is staffed by a medical director, a certified registered nurse practitioner, and registered nurses. Health Services provides quality health care for students and first aid for all members of the campus community. Healthcare professionals can direct students to other healthcare providers, work with special populations to address their specific needs, and develop and deliver health and wellness education programs. 

Walk-ins are welcome, and telehealth or face-to-face visits are available by appointment. Using telehealth services, students are able to use medical resources throughout PennWest. A sample of services available include illness and injury diagnosis and treatment, TB testing, allergy injections, physicals, pap tests, birth control, immunizations, educational programs, eating concerns, nutrition, stress management, and sexual health. Students requiring services outside the scope of practice are referred to off-campus healthcare providers who will bill a student’s private health insurance for services.

Student Support Assistants

Student Support Assistants provide a wide array of resources and support to students who may be struggling with mental and/or physical health, academics, relationship issues, interpersonal conflict, and more. Student Support Assistants help students get connected to resources on campus that can help them overcome obstacles and succeed both academically and personally.

Hours differ on each campus therefore, to request services, please contact the Counseling Center on the campus in which you are primarily enrolled:

Clarion Campus: 814-393-2255 - 256 Becht Hall

California Campus: 724-938-4056 - G-53 Carter Hall

Edinboro Campus: 814-732-2252 - McNerney Hall, 1st floor

**Students enrolled as Global On-Line students, please contact 814-393-2255 or email at Studentwellness-cal@pennwest.edu

Students experiencing a crisis outside of Counseling Services normal operational hours are to contact the University Police or 911.

Counseling Services

Pennsylvania Western University Counseling Services offers free, professional and confidential counseling for developmental, educational, and future goals to enrolled students.  Counseling creates an opportunity for a student to address personal, social and/or emotional concerns, and to enhance a successful university experience.  Counseling Services strives to facilitate the development of students by providing short-term individual, relationship, and group counseling. The PennWest Counseling shared scope of practice allows for all counselors to support students on all three campuses based on student needs (shared services).

Counseling Services has three essential roles:

1. Providing clinical services that help students achieve their academic and personal goals

2. Educating the campus community about the emotional and developmental needs of students through community level interventions, including outreach, programming, and consultation

3. Responding to the psychological effects of crisis impacting individual students and the campus community

Counseling Services is open to students in the fall and spring semesters when classes are in session. The Counseling Services faculty are licensed mental health professionals who can provide counseling in person on campus and via a confidential telehealth format to meet the individual students’ needs. PennWest counselors utilize their content areas of expertise to serve the needs of students across the three campuses. 

Office for Students with Disabilities

Services for students with disabilities are provided through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). Students must request accommodations through OSD and should make the request for accommodations as soon as possible. An application is available on the PennWest website and must be submitted with accompanying documentation that supports the need for services. Examples of acceptable documentation are and IEP, 504, psychiatric and or psychological evaluation, a summary letter from a clinician, counselor, therapist or other appropriate health professional that lists one’s diagnosis, symptoms, and how those symptoms impact the students’ activities of daily living as well as academics. The decision regarding appropriateness of the requested accommodation rests with the OSD office and must be supported by the student’s documentation on file with OSD.

RECREATIONAL SERVICES

Fitness Centers

The Fitness Centers on each campus are accessible to all students with their student ID card who pay the campus recreation fee. Memberships are available to current students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Guest passes are available for non-members if they are accompanied by a current member. Weight rooms, cardio areas, climbing walls, group fitness studios, walking/running indoor tracks, and gym space are just a few of the areas offered on each campus. Aquatic areas, eSports, informal recreation and outdoor ropes courses vary by facility. Stop by and ask for a tour and learn how you can enjoy these services.

Intramural Sports

Intramural sports provide members with a flexible, yet structured, environment in which to participate in a variety of athletic-type activities. These programs are operated in league and tournament formats, with various divisions including men’s, women’s, open, and co-recreational teams. Individuals and teams must register to participate through IM Leagues on each campus. The program is open to all students, faculty, and staff. Opportunities range from Basketball (3v3 & 5v5), Fantasy Football, Flag Football, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball and MORE.

Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor Recreation provides the campus community with additional outlets for the expenditure of leisure time. Outdoor recreation trips complete with equipment rentals include white water rafting, skydiving, caving, mountain biking, hiking, camping, canoeing, paintball, spring break adventure trip, alpine and cross-country skiing, rock climbing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and more. These programs are structured for any level of adventure. No experience necessary! Stop by your fitness center for more trip information.

Sports Clubs

Sports clubs provide students the opportunity for personal growth and leadership development through competitive sports interaction amongst intercollegiate competition. The mission is to enhance each club and provide the best available resources, and to promote each participant not only as a student, but a student-athlete inside and outside the educational classroom and on the playing field. It should be emphasized that the clubs are operated for and by the students; each club is student initiated and sustained. Each club has a University Advisor, and some have coaches as available and required. Teams typically compete in local, regional, and national conferences and leagues against other colleges and universities. For a complete listing of the sports clubs offered please go to the Engage Platform for PennWest or stop by your campus fitness center.

University Police

The PennWest University Police Department is responsible for security on campus. All PennWest University police officers have extensive, ongoing police training, including courses in criminal justice, investigation, accident reporting, first aid, and criminal law and procedures. All PennWest University Police Officers complete annual training as required by MPOETC (Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission), and other training as required under the standards of the Pa. Chiefs of Police Association’s Accreditation Program. Their top priority is the safety and security of our campus community.

University police representatives meet regularly with local police and receive all information concerning allegations of criminal activity by students. This information is retained by the PennWest University Police Department and provided to the Office of Student Conduct, who may subject the violator to university disciplinary procedures.

The PennWest University Police Department is on duty around the clock, every day of the year. University police officers work with local, state, and federal law enforcement, as needed, to process physical evidence or investigate crimes. All crimes that occur on PennWest University Campuses are investigated by the PennWest University Police.

University Police

Parking

Parking at each PennWest University campus is overseen by the University Police Station for that campus. All campuses have annual student parking permits available for their campus. Specific information for student parking on each PennWest Campus can be obtained through that campus parking office. Permits are required on all campuses for students during the academic year.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

The Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion provides leadership, direction, and assistance to PennWest University in advancing its collective commitment to creating and sustaining campus environments that promote and celebrate a culture of inclusion, justice, and belonging. This is done by creating a university environment that fosters a sense of belonging through outreach, education, advocacy, and empowering campus community members to learn and educate as their authentic selves.

Key Initiatives and Services:

Educational Programs and Workshops: Provide outreach and education through a variety of DEI trainings, workshops, intentional dialogue sessions, cultural programs, and resources.

Support and Advocacy: Providing resources and support for students, faculty, and staff by working across campus departments to foster a university culture where every voice matters, every perspective is valued, and every community member feels empowered to succeed.

Community Engagement: Collaborate with university departments and student organizations to create and maintain a model of intracultural communication as well as create and implement educational and developmental programs and activities. In addition, partnering with local organizations and communities to extend our impact beyond the campus and foster broader societal change.

The Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is committed to continuous improvement and welcomes input from all members of the PennWest community. Together, we can build a more inclusive, equitable, and vibrant university.