A Point Park Glossary Point Park A to Z
Alumni Association
All students receiving degrees are automatically members of the Point Park University Alumni Association. A variety of benefits and services are available to alumni through the Office of Alumni Relations.
Bison Scholarship Fund
The University's Bison Scholarship Fund, Pioneer Fund, and other opportunities for giving support a range of critical areas including scholarships and financial aid. Alumni, faculty and staff, and students and their families all participate.
Clubs and Organizations
Student clubs and organizations are initiated and run by students themselves. The groups provide co-curricular opportunities for social interaction, recreation, leadership training, and enhancement of academic interests.
Commencement
Commencement is a formal occasion held in the spring to honor graduates. Undergraduates must apply for graduation. The ceremony is for undergraduate students only. Students receiving a master's degree register for the Master's Degree Hooding Ceremony.
COPA
The Conservatory of Performing Arts, or COPA, is one of the top programs of its kind in the nation. The conservatory provides students with hands-on experience and rigorous training with internationally recognized master teachers, directors, producers, writers and choreographers.
Confluence
Confluence is an undergraduate humanistic psychology alliance exploring the psychological life of interdisciplinary works including fiction, poetry, music, film, education, politics, advertising, religion, philosophy, and journalism, while fostering friendship and community among students.
Convocation
Point Park University's president welcomes new students in a Convocation ceremony each August before the start of classes.
Core Curriculum
The Core Curriculum allows students to integrate knowledge and insights from diverse fields and emphasizes the development of critical thinking and written and oral communication skills. The core courses are designed to work together, regardless of the order in which they are taken.
Dual Enrollment
Dual enrollment applicants are those who are in their junior or senior year of high school and interested in earning college credits while in high school.
FAFSA
FAFSA is the acronym for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is issued by the US government to determine eligibility for student loans and grants. Learn about Financial Aid at Point Park.
FERPA
FERPA is the acronym for Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This federal law protects the privacy of student education records. Read about FERPA and what it means for students and families.
Family Weekend
Family Weekend is held every October for families to spend time together on campus and explore Pittsburgh.
Graduation Fair
Sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations, the Graduation Fair provides an overview of commencement, the distribution of graduation announcements and undergraduate honor cords, and the sale of caps, gowns and class rings.
Lawrence Hall Gallery
The Lawrence Hall Gallery, located near the entrance to the dance complex, offers exhibitions of paintings, drawings, and sculpture by renowned regional, national and international artists. The gallery is open to the public.
Open House
In addition to year-round tours, Point Park welcomes prospective students and families on campus four times a year for Open House. The events, held on Saturdays in October, November, December, and February, include academic fairs, sessions on admissions, financial aid, and student life, and optional tours of the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
Orientation
See Pioneer Experience, Point Park's Orientation program.
Pioneer Experience
The Pioneer Experience orientation program is designed to help new students and their families learn about campus services, get acclimated, and discover all that the University and Downtown Pittsburgh offers. Point Park holds Pioneer Experience sessions in August.
PointWeb
PointWeb provides students and faculty with access to academic, financial, and University information, including class schedules, grades, account balances, degree requirements, campus event schedules, an email account and more. Watch a video about registering your Point Park ID# or changing your password.
Professional Career-Readiness Center
The Professional Career-Readiness Center is a job search resource and education center. The staff helps students and alumni with all aspects of career exploration and the job search process.
Student Conduct
The Office of Student Conduct establishes and administers the Student Code of Conduct. The philosophy of the Point Park judicial system is based upon Point Park's educational mission.
U-View
Point Park campus TV channel, U-View, airs student-produced programming exclusively. Programs include Point News Now, Pioneer Sideline (sports), The Scoop (entertainment), Wake Up Point Park, and other shows and specials. Any full-time or part-time student enrolled in any major or minor may join.
SGA
Student Government Association, SGA, is the voice of Point Park University students. Members are elected each spring by the student body and are the primary liaison between students and the administration. As both a funding and governing board, SGA works in collaboration with student groups to enhance campus life, affect change, instill a sense of Pioneer pride and promote community.
Welcome Week
Point Park welcomes all students to campus during August. Welcome Week offers students great opportunities for fun and relaxation before the rigors of fall term get under way.