Greater Allegheny

2018-19LIVING ON CAMPUS

Living on campus at Penn State Greater Allegheny makes you part of a close-knit community where you can form strong relationships with fellow students, faculty, and staff. And you’ll enjoy the benefits of close proximity to classes, recreational areas, dining services, and on-campus parking.

Penn State Greater Allegheny offers an appealing blend of suburban life and big city excitement. Penn State’s academic reputation attracts students from across the state and beyond.

As an on-campus resident,

you can easily take advantage of nearby recreational areas, such as the athletic fields, fitness center, and tennis,

basketball, and sand volleyball courts. Penn State Greater Allegheny is proud to offer seven varsity sports as well

as intramural and club sports programs. The fitness center offers free weights, various workout machines, a sauna,

and locker rooms. The cultural center offers a study room, art gallery, and multipurpose room.

The campus also boasts more than 25 clubs and organizations, such as student government, the Outdoor Club, and

the Black Student Union. Plus the campus area often features dances, movies, guest speakers, and other events.

There are also numerous employment opportunities available on campus for students. Imagine—all of this, right

in your on-campus neighborhood.

Where to find us:Penn State Greater Allegheny

Housing and Food Services4050 University Drive

McKeesport, PA 15132-7698

• Only 15 miles from Pittsburgh

• 2 1/2 hours from Penn State University Park

100%Penn State Living

Room Amenities

• Expanded cable television service

• High-speed internet connections and WiFi

• Secure keyless entry

• Microwave/refrigerator unit

• Extra-long twin bed, chest of drawers, desk, and chair

• Free parking

“It feels like family...”

When Ashia Mack moved from California to begin

her Penn State career, she quickly discovered the

various benefits that come with living on campus. “I

like getting to talk to people,” Ashia says. “We have

movie nights and there’s always fun things going on

in the evening. We’ve had karaoke nights. Everyone

socializes together.”

Ashia, who is majoring in English, has had a colorful

range of memorable social experiences made possible

by living on campus such as bonfires, water balloon

fights, campus-wide hide-and-seek games, and art

activities. The sense of community Ashia feels from

living in the dorms is a huge benefit. “I just really

like the social aspect,” Ashia says. “It feels like

family up in the dorms.”

The constant opportunities to build friendships

and make memories while living on campus are

only complemented by other benefits that appeal

to students. Ashia says living on campus makes

grocery shopping and mealtime inexpensive and

simple. “We don’t have to spend a lot of money or

drive anywhere,” she says. “Everything is really

convenient.”

Living EnvironmentThe Housing, Food Services, and Residence

Life staff is committed to providing you with an

environment that is safe, secure, comfortable, and

conducive to academic success. We understand the

college experience should foster personal and social

development as well. With that in mind, we promote

a concept of community in which each student is

responsible for respecting their neighbors’ rights.

Within this framework, the student’s right to choose

his or her own lifestyle is supported.

On-campus residents live in McKeesport Hall, which

overlooks the rest of campus and is close to the

Wunderly Gymnasium and the Fitness and Cultural

Center. The three-story coed building offers a safe,

comfortable living environment that features laundry

facilities, study lounges, and controlled access to the

building. For your convenience, Penn State offers

many standard features in the residence areas. Below

is a list of common room amenities, along with other

important on-campus information.

Assistance for Individuals with DisabilitiesHousing accommodations are available if you require

special assistance. Contact the Housing and Food

Services Office at 412-675-9100 to discuss the

available options.

Residence Hall Safety and SecurityMcKeesport Hall has full-time, live-in professional

staff responsible for ensuring a safe, secure, and

comfortable living environment. University Police

officers are also available to address specific security

concerns. The residence hall is locked 24 hours a day,

and you must swipe your Penn State id+ Card to gain

entry. Room doors are equipped with a card reader and

keypad. A closed-circuit camera system is installed at

entrance doors as well.

McKeesport Hall is routinely inspected and complies

with safety regulations. The building is equipped with

a modern fire safety system, including sprinklers.

Penn State prohibits smoking in classrooms,

administrative buildings, eating establishments, sports

facilities, and residence areas.

Shuttle ServiceStudents at Penn State Greater Allegheny have access

to a shuttle seven days a week. On weekdays, the van

travels to the McKeesport Transportation Service at

541 Lysle Boulevard, McKeesport where students

can pick up a bus to other locations. It also stops at

Olympia, Oak Park, and Rainbow Shopping Centers.

On the weekends, students can take the shuttle to

go have some fun off campus, to AMC Theatre in the

Waterfront, the Heinz History Center, Monroeville

Mall, and the Cheesecake Factory on the South Side.

Special Living OptionsA Quiet Conscious Community Special Living Option

(SLO) has been designed to fit the needs of students

who requested additional quiet hours in the residence

hall.

Students living in the new SLO, located on the third

floor of McKeesport Hall will complete a Community

Living Agreement during a house meeting early in

the fall semester. The agreement will be a mutually

decided upon set of noise regulations and quiet hours

meant to create a caring and supportive environment

for all members of the community. Residents will

promise to abide by the Community Living Agreement,

holding themselves and their guests accountable.

Dining On CampusPenn State Greater Allegheny features Café Metro,

a full-scale food court, conveniently located in

the Student Community Center. Café Metro offers

an extensive menu, including grilled specialties,

pasta, soups and sandwiches, hearty entrées, and

pizza, as well as gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Convenience store items and snacks are also

available. Throughout the semester, Café Metro

provides special themed meals, as well as upscale

menu items.

Metro Express, also located in the Student Community

Center, offers favorites like Starbucks® coffee, Tazo®

tea, pastries, and tempting desserts. Students and

visitors can check out our menus at menu.hfs.psu.edu.

Campus Meal PlanThe Housing Contract features the convenience of the

Campus Meal Plan. Dining dollars are deposited into

a declining balance account and are accessed by the

Penn State id+ Card. Simply present your id+ card to

the cashier and the purchase amount will be deducted

from the account.

The meal plan has two components— base cost and

dining dollars. The base cost covers all non-food costs

for operating food services, such as labor, supplies,

maintenance, and utilities. Dining dollars are used to

make purchases at on-campus food service facilities.

All menu items have a cash price that includes both

the food costs and the base cost of operation. Since

meal plan members pay this base cost up front, on

campus dining purchases are significantly discounted

with each visit. Meal plan members receive 65

percent off the cash price of prepared food purchases.

For certain items, such as prepackaged vendor items,

no discount is given.

Level Options

The meal plan offers three level options, with varying

dining dollar amounts available to purchase meals.

Meal plan levels can be adjusted until seven

days before the end of the semester by visiting

eLiving.psu.edu, or funds can be added online

by visiting idcard.psu.edu or with cash/ check/

MasterCard/Visa at the cashier station in any Penn

State Food Service operation.

Benefits of the Campus Meal Plan

• Access to the account at any dining facility operated

by Penn State Housing and Food Services

• Easy, cash-free spending with the id+ Card

• 65 percent discount for members

Here’s how it works:

• Two levels to choose from

• Charge it to your Bursar Account

• 10 percent discount on Food Services prepared items at on-campus locations

• Accessed conveniently with your Penn State id+ Card

• Available for the fall and spring semesters

Penn State Commuter Meal PlanThe Commuter Meal Plan is designed specifically for students who live

off campus. All the delicious food and healthy choices your residence hall

friends enjoy can be yours too.

Getting the PlanThe Commuter Meal Plan can be

purchased at eLiving.psu.edu and

charged directly to your Bursar

Account.

Missed a Due Date?LionCash+ shares the same benefits

as the Commuter Meal Plan. It can

be used for both on- and off-campus

purchases. Visit idcard.psu.edu/

lioncash for more information.

LionCash+LionCash+ is an online, prepaid flexible spending

account accessed with the Penn State id+ Card.

Just deposit money into your account and enjoy

the convenience of making cash-free purchases

at participating locations. LionCash+ is also the

method used to pay for on-campus laundry. Funds

can be added at any time, and family and friends

can make deposits at idcard.psu.edu.

LionCash+ also complements the Campus Meal

Plan. If you run out of dining dollars, on-campus

dining registers will automatically default to your

LionCash+ account. If there are enough to cover

the purchase, funds will be withdrawn from the

LionCash+ account and processed at the meal plan

rate. LionCash+ is accepted on campus at the Penn

State Bookstore, The Café Metro, and Metro Express

as well as at other Penn State campuses and select

off-campus merchants. To learn more and view the

complete list of participating merchants, visit

idcard.psu.edu.

Special DeliveryA perfect surprise for any occasion, Housing and

Food Services offer the Special Delivery program,

allowing parents and family members to purchase

treats such as decorated cakes, fruit baskets, pizza,

and more for their special Penn State student.

Available online at hfs.psu.edu/special-delivery.

The Housing ProcessFirst-year students accept their offer of admission

by logging on to MyPennState using their Friends of

Penn State (FPS) account. You’ll be able to see if on-

campus housing is available at that time. If housing

is available, you must accept the offer of admission

and pay a $230 non-refundable general deposit

fee as well as a $100 non-refundable housing

reservation fee, for a total of $330. Then you must

agree to the Terms, Conditions, and Regulations

of the Housing and Food Services Contract. After

completing those steps, you’ll have successfully

accepted your offer of admission and the Housing

Contract. A confirmation email will be sent to the

address on file.

The Campus Meal Plan will automatically be

defaulted to level two; to modify the meal plan level

or add housing preferences (building, roommate, etc.),

log on to eLiving using your FPS account. You can

change your preferences until May 15.

Please note, housing fills quickly — even though you

have until May 1 to accept the offer of admission,

housing can be full by late winter. Unfortunately,

we’re not able to accommodate all students who want

to live on campus.

If housing is full when you accept your offer of

admission, you have other options. These may include

adding your name to the Waitlist (although adding

your name does not guarantee an offer will be made),

seeking off-campus housing, or changing to another

Penn State campus that still has housing available.

Penn State Housing and Food Services is a caring organization, providing quality food, housing, and customer service while supporting the University’s mission.

This publication is available in alternative media on request.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state and federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct all inquiries regarding the discrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director,The Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901;Tel 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/TTY. U. Ed. Aux 17-107

Admissions & Student Aid412-675-9010

admissions.psu.edu psuGA@

psu.edu

Academic Affairs

412-675-9140

Bursar

412-675-9090

Division of Undergraduate

Studies

412-675-9070

Student Affairs

412-675-9163

Registrar

412-675-9172

eLiving

eLiving.psu.edu

LionPATH

lionpath.psu.edu

Friends of Penn State

(access account information)

www.fps.psu.edu

helpdesk@psu.edu

Housing and Food Services

Penn State Greater

Allegheny

4050 University Drive

McKeesport PA 15132-7698

412-675-9100

housingGA@psu.edu

foodserviceGA@psu.edu

gacampusliving.psu.edu

facebook.com/psgreaterahfs

Penn State Greater Allegheny

GA.psu.edu

Contact Information

100%Penn State Living