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
Housing and Food Services
Penn State Greater
Allegheny
4050 University Drive
McKeesport PA 15132-7698
412-675-9100
gacampusliving.psu.edu
facebook.com/psgreaterahfs
Penn State Greater Allegheny
GA.psu.edu
Contact Information
100%Penn State Living