Indiana University of Pennsylvania

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Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Image:IUPseal.png
Established 1875
Type Public, Coed
Endowment US$35.7 million
President Tony Atwater
Provost Cheryl Samuels
Faculty 700
Undergraduates 11,976
Postgraduates 2,034
Location Indiana, PA, USA
Campus Small Town, 350 acres
Nickname None
Mascot Cherokee a black bear
Website www.iup.edu

Indiana University of Pennsylvania (or IUP) is a public university located in the Borough of Indiana, Pennsylvania northeast of Pittsburgh. IUP is the commonwealth's fifth largest university. It is governed by a local Council of Trustees and the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). IUP has branch campuses in Punxsutawney and Northpointe located in Freeport, Pennsylvania serving suburban Pittsburgh.

Peterson's guide identifies admission to IUP as 'moderately difficult.' Only 55% of all applicants are admitted. [1]

Contents

[edit] History

IUP was founded in 1875 as a normal school by investors in Indiana County. When it opened its doors it enrolled 225 students. All normal school events were held within a single building which also contained a laboratory school for model teaching.

In 1927 it became Indiana State Teachers College. In 1965, the institution achieved university status and became Indiana University of Pennsylvania, or IUP. [2]

Today IUP is the flagship of the 14 comprehensive universities within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. With a total enrollment of over 14,000 undergraduate and graduate students, IUP is the largest school in the system and the only one elevated to doctoral granting status in PASSHE's enabling legislation Pennsylvania Act 188 of 1982. Today IUP is classified as a Carnegie Doctoral/Research-Intensive university and is accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Universities, NCATE, and AACSB.

[edit] Colleges

IUP offers over 100 undergraduate degree programs and 40 graduate degree programs. The university is organized into 7 colleges/schools. They are: Eberly College of Business and Information Technology, College of Education and Educational Technology, College of Fine Arts, College of Health and Human Services, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, School of Continuing Education, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Also, IUP offers the Robert E. Cook Honors College [3] for advanced students. This college replaces regular liberal studies classes with discourse-based "Honors Core" classes. This college was made possible through donations of Robert E. Cook, an IUP mathematics alumnus.

The university awards the: A.A., B.A., B.S., B.S.Ed., B.F.A., M.A., M.S., M.Ed., M.F.A., Ed.D., and Ph.D.

[edit] Main Campus

IUP's main campus is a mix of old and new red brick structures. Its original building, a Victorian structure named John Sutton Hall once housed the entire school (see postcard image). Today Sutton Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It stands at the heart of campus--there was a fight to preserve it in 1974 when the administration scheduled it for demolition. [4] Ironically, today it houses many administrative offices and reception areas. Breezedale Alumni Center is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Victorian mansion was once home to a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice.

The campus boasts a planetarium, University Museum, black box theater, recently renovated Hadley Union Building (HUB), extensive music library, and a newly remodeled Cogswell Hall for the university's music community. Stapleton Library boasts 850,000-plus bound volumes and over 2 million microform units. [5] At the heart of campus is the Oak Grove. Many alumni recall this spot because of its centrality and the many events that occur there. In January 2000 former President Lawrence K. Pettit established a board to create the Allegheny Arboretum at IUP. This group works to furnish the Oak Grove with flora native to the region.

The university's Student Cooperative Association also owns College Lodge several miles from campus. It provides skiing, biking, hiking, and disc golfing opportunities. Boat access is also made available through the Cooperative Association.

Current president Tony Atwater announced an initiative to demolish many of the 1970 era dormitories on campus. Demolition began during summer 2006 and facilities will be replaced with residence halls that are more modern. These suite style rooms are similar to those being built at other universites.

[edit] Name confusion

Southwestern Pennsylvania has three boroughs that share names with states, Washington, Indiana, and California. Two boroughs are home to universities. They are Indiana and California. The names sometimes lead to confusion. Indiana University of Pennsylvania is often confused with Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana or is often thought of as being affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. To help clarify confusion, the university is often referred to as "IUP."

The university's mascot and nickname are also the cause of confusion and consternation. In the 1930's the schools athletic teams were dubbed "Indians" by the local newspaper. The name stuck. However, through the years there was a rising tide of objection to the nickname and mascot.

In 2006, the NCAA rejected IUP's appeal to maintain the "Indians" nickname. NCAA ruled it was a "hostile or abusive" to the American Indian. The university trustees voted to drop the nickname effective 1 Sep 2006 in order to avoid NCAA sanctions.

The nickname had a troubled history beginning in the early 1990s. Following the abolition of the Indian mascot, IUP went without a character for nearly a decade. President Pettit introduced Cherokee the bear as a compromise.[6] IUP is actively seeking input regarding a future nickname and mascot. [7]

[edit] Campus Issues

Similar to many universities of comparable size, IUP has been featured in local news stories regarding several students' actions. The university lost one student in Spring 2005; his death was due to a drug overdose [8]. The spring 2005 death caused the university to rework its drug and alcohol policy, creating harsher sanctions. Later that year, at the start of the fall term, another student took his life because of personal problems that led to depression [9]. Several weeks later, the university suspended the entire cheerleading squad over violations of university policy with regards to hazing. This suspension was in reference to an intoxicated female cheerleader caught returning to her dormitory after an initiation party [10].

Current president Dr. Tony Atwater's new policies include a year's suspension for a student caught providing alcohol to minors. This punishment is imposed if the student is found 'in violation' by internal student conduct procedures . [11]

Former President Lawrence Pettit and Provost Mark Statskiewicz experienced an overwhelming vote of no confidence from the faculty in December 2001.[12] Much of the debate centered around safety, curricular irregularities, and shared governenace.

Tensions have also existed between the university's Student Government Association, faculty union, and PASSHE Chancellor Judy Hample. [13][14] Much of this tension seems to have dissipated since Dr. Atwater assumed the presidency.

[edit] Greek Life

Fraternities

Acacia, Alpha Chi Rho, Chi Phi, Delta Sigma Phi, Delta Tau Delta, Phi Kappa Psi, Phi Kappa Tau, Phi Mu Delta, Pi Lambda Phi, Sigma Chi, Sigma Pi, Sigma Tau Gamma, Theta Chi, Phi Mu Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Sororities Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau, Alpha Xi Delta, Delta Gamma, Delta Phi Epsilon, Delta Tau Sigma, Delta Zeta, Sigma Kappa, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Theta Phi Alpha, Zeta Tau Alpha

[edit] Accolades

IUP faculty has won nearly 60 Fulbright Exchange Awards since 1959, enabling them to study and conduct research in 27 countries. In addition, the university's John P. Murtha Institute of Homeland Security is training first responders and members of the military to prevent potential terrorist acts.

Arts are a big part of IUP culture as evidenced by continual theatrical appearances at venues such as the Kennedy Center and Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh. IUP's "Legend" Marching Band is known as "The Pride of Pennsylvania" and "The Beast of the East" and is well-known throughout the region.

IUP students have garnered such honors as: Fulbright Scholar, Phi Kappa Phi grants, Barry M. Goldwater Scholar, Ronald E. McNair Scholar, and PaSSHE Ali-Zaidi award.

[edit] Athletics

IUP's athletic department sponsors 19 varsity sports, including 8 for men and 11 for women. IUP competes in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and is an NCAA Division II member.

Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, swimming and indoor and outdoor track and field. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field and volleyball.

IUP annually produces teams and individuals that compete for championships on the conference, regional and national levels. The 2004-05 school year saw 12 sports either send their teams or individuals to NCAA postseason competition. Periodic discussion has been made to move IUP to division I-AA football [15].

The IUP football team is considered to be one of the best year-to-year in NCAA Division II. IUP has been to the NCAA Division II National Title game twice... 1990 and 1993. In both cases, IUP came up short, finishing the season as runner-up.

Division II teams rarely appear on TV but IUP has appeared on regional telecasts in 1968 at the Boardwalk Bowl and 2006 against California University of PA. The team has also been on national TV while playing in the Division II National Title games. Recently, on November 2nd 2006, the IUP football team played Slippery Rock on the nation-wide broadcast on TV channel CSTV.

[edit] Notable alumni

There are more than 80,000 people around the world who call IUP their alma mater. Notable alumni include:

  • Edward Abbey, author and environmentalist; attended in 1947; honored as "IUP Ambassador," 1983
  • Duncan Black, prominent political blogger
  • Nellie Bly, famed journalist left prior to completion
  • Rob Boston, 1985; author, advocate of church-state separation.
  • Glenn Cannon, Director of the Response Division, FEMA (2006-2008)
  • The Clarks; Recording artists, musicians
  • Robert E. Cook; 1969, computer industry
  • Kris Griffin, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker
  • Col. Alan W. Halliday, M.D.; 1976, Neurologist
  • Jim Haslett; NFL player, coach
  • Lorraine E. Hricik; 1973, Executive VP, JPMorgan Treasury Services
  • Billy Hunter; former Major League Baseball player.
  • Chad Hurley; YouTube co-founder
  • Summers Melville Jack (1852-1945), U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania (1899-1903)
  • Mike Jemison, American Football running back
  • Matthew Knisely, American TV Photojournalist
  • Charles Kupchella, Ph.D.; 1964, University of North Dakota President (1999-)
  • Kim Lyttle; 1972, M1974, VP National City Bank of Pennsylvania
  • LeRon McCoy; current National Football League player
  • Donald Mash, Ed.D.; Univ. of Wisconsin system Executive Senior Vice President (2005-)
  • Mike Menosky; former Major League Baseball player.
  • John Murtha; ex, U.S. Congressman (1974-)
  • Raymond Parker; 1972, President, Pitney Bowes Management Services, International
  • Edward Everett Robbins (1860-1919) U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania (1897-1899, 1917-1919)
  • Patricia Robertson; 1985, NASA Astronaut
  • Art Rooney; 1919, Pittsburgh Steelers owner
  • James Stewart (actor); former student of IUP's John A.H. Keith School
  • Hon. Sally Stroup; 1978, Asst. Sec. Postsecondary Ed.,

U.S. Dept. of Ed.

  • Howard William Stull (1876-1949) U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania (1932-1933)
  • Nancy Suttenfield; 1971, VP at Wake Forest University (2006-)
  • Chris Villarrial; current National Football League player
  • Lindsey Vuolo; Playboy Playmate!!
  • Hon. [Jack Wagner; 1974, Pennsylvania Auditor General
  • Hon. Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak; M'1986, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education
  • Mr. Shawn LLamar Marquise Hairston; Board of Governors Scholar, Vice President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

[edit] External links


Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
Schools: Bloomsburg • California • Cheyney • Clarion • East Stroudsburg • Edinboro • Indiana • Kutztown
• Lock Haven• Mansfield • Millersville • Shippensburg • Slippery Rock • West Chester

See also: Dixon University Center • Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
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