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Kaitlin R. Greenockle, News Editor October 22, 2015 Student Government Association members held an informational meeting Oct. 6 on how to budget for clubs and organizations. Student Government President Shelby Smith had the idea to inform club and organization members before the actual budgeting process starts, so it would go more smoothly than in the past. The only clubs and organizations with representatives in attendance were Time-Out Christian Fellowship, Phi Sigma Sigma and Kappa Zeta. Smith said she had hoped to get more student organization members’ input on what they need from the budgeting process. “I wanted to help ease the burden that clubs have of trying to map out how much money they will need for an entire year because we do understand it’s hard to plan that far in advance,” said Smith. Smith said she had hoped for a bigger turnout but knew it might have been small because of insufficient advertising. She plans to have at least one more meeting before the end of the semester, but, this time, Smith and Student Government Allocations Committee members will present the budgeting process and requirements along with taking suggestions from club and organization members, according to Smith. Student Government President Pro-Tempore Madison Nick said there has been discussion about budgeting process flaws. Her advice to those who have to deal with budgeting is to provide allocations committee members with as much proof as possible. Also, to do as much fundraising they can because committee members take that into consideration when allocating money. Time-Out Christian Fellowship President Jocelyn Hartman went to the meeting because she thought it would be beneficial to see how the budgeting process works. “It wasn’t what I expected it to be. From the email, I figured there would be more organizations there and more discussion,” Hartman said. She said, last year she was Time-Out Christian Fellowship treasurer, and she understands all that goes into the budget and how painstaking a task it is. “I think they (Student Government members) could help clubs on campus by having more opportunities for clubs to attend meetings for budgeting in the spring,” Hartman said. Hartman said that she thinks Student Government members make themselves available for any questions and concerns, but she doesn’t think club and organization members take advantage of what they offer. She also said that she can understand why some club and organization members get upset about certain clubs and organizations getting much bigger allocations than others, but, after the meeting, she said she was able to learn more about how they budget and that it makes sense and is fair. “After being at the meeting, I am looking forward to some of the revisions that they will be making for the budgeting process and hope that it will help to resolve future issues,” Hartman said. READ MORE: Budget news reaches few
Brooke Boyer, Copy Editor September 30, 2015 Two events added to the Homecoming schedule this year, the Big Tent Event and the first homecoming dance caught some attention from Homecoming attendees. The Big Tent Event Friday drew in many upperclassmen and alumni, the all-you-can-drink beer was a feature that attracted those 21 and older. Entry to the Big Tent Event was cost $5. Included in the ticket price was one meal and beer, Sam Adams Oktoberfest and Miller Lite. The tent was ran out of beer by 7 p.m., two hours after it opened. People under 21 were allowed into the tent but had to wear an identifying wristband. Former student Jess Belmonte said she wished there were more than just two beer options. She said she wanted to see more of a variety but was glad to have the choice to drink at all. Senior Nicole Gross sat happily at the table with her Kappa Zeta sisters and said she was enjoying herself and would like to see more of these kinds of events. Some students sipped on their beer as they were playing the only game offered in the fenced off tent, corn hole. While most enjoyed the event, at least one had some grievances about the plainness of the event. “It wasn’t anything special. We need something to snack on, like chips and guacamole,” alumna Katelynn Doyle said. Doyle added that she wished there was a mixed drink option and not just beer. Senior Sam Lauderback had just come back from his internship in the woods on campus. “After digging holes in the woods for three hours, it’s nice to be able to come back on campus and have a beer.” The first Homecoming dance was held at Ace’s Lounge in the cities West End in Johnstown, each ticket only cost $2 for students and $5 for guests. There were 15 tables set up and decorated, accompanied by a DJ booth and the most popular aspect of the dance, a photo booth as well as a long table full of various snacking food options. Director of Campus Life Sherri Rae said she did not want to spend more than $5,000 on the first homecoming dance, being cautious with the money being used from the Programming Board. Only 30 pre-sale tickets were sold for the event, a pay-at-the-door option also was available. The event was aimed to please all students but more specifically for underclassmen who can’t go out and drink said Rae. “If the event goes well, it could become an annual event, I want the event to grow,” Rae said. To advertise for the event, Rae said she tweeted pictures before the event to the students. Sophomore student Scarlett Oller said she loved the excuse to get dressed up and go out for a dance. “I’m bummed more people didn’t show up … I’d like to see more dances in the future,” Oller said. Oller’s date, Holden Jones, a at Pitt-Johnstown junior, said this was his first time going to a formal event sponsored by Pitt-Johnstown, and that he was enjoying himself. Students sung from their tables as songs by Queen and Carly Rae Jepson blasted through speakers. Freshman Samantha Albert said her favorite part of the dance was the photo booth. Although the dance was not well attended, the students who were there enjoyed themselves as they piled into the frame of the photo booth and line-danced on the dance floor. READ MORE: Beer tent, dance are new to Homecoming Brooke Boyer, Copy Editor April 15, 2015 At a Student Government Association meeting in March, Campus Development Chair Nick Digiorgio suggested his idea of a student leadership scholarship. The Student Government Association voted unanimously to sponsor the scholarship when Digiorgio suggested the idea, according to Digiorgio. “We will aggressively fundraise $50,000 in the next five years to place into an endowment,” he said. The endowment will provide 5 percent interest off of our investment, which will fund the $500 scholarships (five in total) every year in perpetuity.” Digiorgio acknowledged that he knows how hard it is for good, honest, and hardworking students to get aid. “I knew I wanted to make a difference so with the help of the Campus Development Committee, we made this idea a reality,” said Digiorgio. According to Digiorgio, eligible students are to write a letter to the association as to how they have stood out in their organization and why they deserve the award. The award is to be given every spring semester, according to Digiorgio. Digiorgio said, that with the help of Development Alumni Relations Executive Director Jesse Pisors in institutional advancement and career services in drafting designs on promotional material, the process is moving in the right direction for a student leadership award. Students might be more willing to join more organizations and become more involved as leaders when they find out they could be awarded for their hard work and dedication at Pitt-Johnstown. Jordan Noble, co-vice president of the Pitt-Johnstown Chemical Society and Vice President of Concert Choir said she feels that students are always looking for scholarship opportunities due to how expensive college has become. She said she would be interested in pursuing the opportunity for this award. “Students tend to appreciate being rewarded for extra work besides their academics,” Noble said. Junior Nicole Gross is to be the secretary of the Kappa Zeta sorority next semester. Gross said she did not know that an award was in the making and thought it was a good idea because people holding these positions are typically full-time students with a lot on their plates. “It’s nice that the Student Government Association wants to reward student leaders for their hard work and dedication,” Gross said. READ MORE: Scholarships in works for leadership
JOHNSTOWN, PA - The newly forming UPJ Greek Alumni Council, the GAC, is excited to announce some special events for Fraternity and Sorority Alumni during Pitt-Johnstown's Homecoming celebration on Saturday, September 26, 2015. In addition to Alumni events hosted by the University there will be several "Greek Only" festivities where Greek Alumni can renew old friendships and make new memories. There are THREE EVENTS scheduled for SATURDAY HOMECOMING 2015!
As a final note... In celebration with the creation of the GAC it is only fitting that we pay tribute to those Greek Organizations who spearheaded the entire Greek movement at UPJ. Without them, no other organization would exist. Celebrating Reunions in 2015 are:
The apartments’ renovation plan is not finalized, but, as of now, renovations include new heating and air-conditioning units, balconies removal and new living room windows. Roof replacement, new carpet and kitchens also are part of the plan, according to Buxbaum.
Safety updates also are to be included in the renovations such as improving electrical issues, fire alarms and adding sprinklers, Buxbaum said. Hawthorn Lodge is to have updated bathrooms this summer along with finishing up the renovation at Highland Townhouses, Buxbaum said. “The townhouses’ renovations include new windows, drywall, carpet, paint, built in closets, ceiling tile, kitchen cabinets, counters, appliances and new bathrooms,” Buxbaum said. Buckhorn and Sunset Lodges are in future renovation plans, according to Buxbaum. Junior Joseph Walker said even if he had the option to live in the apartments, he wouldn’t because he likes living in the townhouses and not having to drive to campus for class. Walker said he doesn’t live in a renovated townhouse, but would like to in the future. “I would like a dishwasher and maybe a full bathroom downstairs,” Walker said. A sophomore, Hawthorne Lodge resident, Kyla Colcombe said she would like to see showers and the buildings’ foundations renovated. Due to the snow melting, Colcombe’s lodge flooded because of cracks in the foundation. “I would like it to be done faster, but I think three to four years is a realistic goal, when I heard it was to take up to seven years in the past,” Colcombe said. READ MORE: "Housing renovations to be finished sooner" January 20 2015: NEWS: Fair has few attendees but many tables Tags: Acacia, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Chi, Delta Sigma Chi, Kappa Delta Rho, Kappa Zeta, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Tau Gamma
Despite the high turnout of club representatives, students interested in joining them seemed few and far between.
Thomas Plutt, Role-Playing Games Club president, said that last semester at the activities fair, club members had approximately 30 students sign up with new interest. “We had only one or two names on our list from this semester’s activities fair,” said Plutt. Plutt said he felt the Role-Playing Games Club did not have enough time to fully prepare for the fair. Among the students who attended the fair to learn about different organizations was Pitt-Johnstown junior Joseph Walker. “I didn’t even know about the fair until I was walking past it in the Student Union,” said Walker. October 28 2014: NEWS: Pitt Johnstown Homecoming 2014 [video] Tags: Acacia, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Chi, Delta Sigma Chi, Kappa Delta Rho, Kapp Zeta, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Tau Gamma
EDITORS NOTE: On April 10, 2017 the "Inaugural 'Trails Day" took place. It was a Campus Effort". Pitt-Johnstown hosted the first "Trails Day" at the campus natural area, and more than 15 faculty, staff, and students arrived early Sunday morning to clean and repair our trail system. ... UPJ seems to have forgotten this Greek Effort :-( Emily Colella, Contributing Writer October 1, 2014 Pitt-Johnstown is the largest of the five Pitt campuses with 655 acres. Only a fraction of that is developed, and the Pitt-Johnstown campus has many acres of wooded land. Trails wind through the woods on campus for students to enjoy, but it is unclear who is responsible for the trails upkeep. Student Government Association members are making an effort to take care of campus trails. With participation from outdoor club members, fraternity and sorority members, and residence assistants, associaton members are planning a Greek Life Trail Clean-up Day. Aside from keeping the trails clean, the event’s purpose is to help freshmen get to know the greeks and get started gaining community-service experience, according to association member Nick Digorgio. All students are being encouraged to participate. “ I believe Greek life has a tendency to retain a poor image on this campus,” sophomore Digiorgio said “In hopes of shining light on the important things they contribute, I hope incoming freshman will observe and appreciate their positive attitudes and hard work towards improving their home, Pitt-Johnstown,” he said. Digorgio is association parlimentarian and Campus Development Comittee chairman. Committee members are in charge of the cleanup day organization. The day is to take place at 1:00 p.m. on Oct 19. The cleaning should be finished at 5 p.m., when a dinner for participants is to take place at the gazebo near the Student Union. While student government members have been taking an active role in trail maintenance, other organizations members have been planning to take action. Also, the Environmental Sustainability Club keeps UPJ green in a variety of ways. “We are a club that focuses on bringing better recycling and greener initiatives to campus,” said Emma Gyurisin, club president. She confirmed that her club’s members are in the planning stages of a similar trail cleanup. READ MORE: Trail cleanups are getting organized
A 2014 Gallup study found "graduates who participated in fraternities or sororities are slightly more likely to thrive in all five critical elements of well-being — purpose, social, financial, physical and community — than are graduates who did not participate in fraternities or sororities." Results for the Gallup-Purdue Index are based on Web surveys conducted Feb. 4-March 7, 2014, with a random sample of 29,560 respondents with a bachelor's degree or higher, aged 18 and older, with Internet access, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and 5,137 fraternity and sorority members. The North-American Interfraternity Conference and National Panhellenic Conference partnered with Gallup for this first of its kind study.
Overall Well-Being Graduates who participated in fraternities or sororities are slightly more likely to be thriving in all five critical elements of well-being – purpose, social, financial, physical and community – than are graduates who did not participate in fraternities or sororities. Workplace Engagement National results show that 43% of college graduates who were members of a fraternity or sorority are engaged in the workplace, compared to 38% of college graduates were not members of a fraternity or sorority. Support The support that graduates recall receiving from their institution as students is also important well into their post-graduate careers. 16% of graduates who participated in fraternities or sororities and who say they had a professor who cared about them as a person, one who made them excited about learning, and had a mentor who encouraged them to pursue their dreams are emotionally attached, compared with 13% of graduates who did not participate in fraternities or sororities. Experiential Learning Similarly, graduates with fraternity or sorority affiliation and membership in college were more likely to have taken advantage of experiential learning opportunities while in college (11%) than graduates who were not members of fraternities or sororities (5%). Alumni Attachment Alumni who participated in fraternities or sororities exhibit higher emotional attachment to their school. 22% of those who were in sororities or fraternities are attached, compared with 17% who were not members of sororities or fraternities. RED MORE: Gallup Research |
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