Penn State Erie, The Behrend College

Penn State University-Erie, The Behrend College
Established 1948
Type Land-Grant, State-related
Chancellor Donald L. Birx
President Eric J. Barron
Academic staff
 207 full-time
61 part-time
Students 4,767
Location Erie, PA
Campus 854 acres (3.46 km2)
Colors Blue and white
Nickname Behrend Lions
Mascot Nittany Lion
Affiliations AMCC, NCAA
Website behrend.psu.edu

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College is a state-related public university institution and a Commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The college in recent years has added a number of facilities, including an athletics and recreation center (The Junker Center), chapel and carillon (Smith Chapel), astronomy observatory, large residence halls (Senat Hall), Knowledge Park at Penn State Erie, and a baseball and softball complex. The $30 million, 160,000-square-foot (15,000 m2) Jack Burke Research and Economic Development Center that houses the School of Engineering and the Sam and Irene Black School of Business opened in 2006. It features teaching and research labs, including the largest academic plastics lab in the United States. In 2010, the $4 million Robert and Sally Metzgar Admissions and Alumni Center opened.[1]

History

In 1948, Mary Behrend, the widow of Hammermill Paper co-founder Otto Behrend, donated her 400-acre estate to Penn State for a freshman center. In 1953, it began offering two-year associate programs in engineering—the first degree programs of any sort that could be completed at a Penn State campus other than the main campus in State College. In 1959, Penn State founded the Commonwealth Campus system, and the Behrend Center became the Behrend Campus. In 1971, it became the first Commonwealth campus to offer four-year degrees. Two years later, it became an autonomous four-year institution, with its own dean (now titled as chancellor).

Academics

Students can complete 34 bachelor's degrees and 26 minors, three pre-professional programs, two master's degrees, six associate degrees, and a number of continuing education programs at Penn State Behrend. It also offers the first two years of more than 160 Penn State bachelor's degrees.

Bachelor's degrees

Accounting, B.S.; Biology, B.S.; Business Economics, B.S.; Business, Liberal Arts, and Science, B.S.; Chemistry, B.S.; Communication, B.A.; Computer Engineering, B.S.; Computer Science, B.S.; Creative Writing, B.F.A; Economics, B.A.; Electrical Engineering, B.S.; Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology, B.S.; English, B.A.; Finance, B.S.; General Arts and Sciences, B.A.; History, B.A.; Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies, B.S.; International Business, B.S.; Management, B.S.; Management Information Systems, B.S.; Marketing, B.S.; Mathematics, B.S.; Mechanical Engineering, B.S.; Mechanical Engineering Technology, B.S.; Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N.; Physics, B.S.; Plastics Engineering Technology, B.S.; Political Science, B.A.; Psychology, B.A., B.S.; Science, B.A.; Science, B.S.; Secondary Education Mathematics, B.S.; Software Engineering, B.S.

Associate Degrees

Electrical Engineering Technology, A.ENGT.; General Business, A.S.; Letters, Arts, and Sciences, A.A.; Mechanical Engineering Technology, A.ENGT.; Nursing, A.S.; Plastics Engineering Technology, A.ENGT.

Minors

Accounting; Biology; Chemistry; Communication; Computer Engineering; Computer Science; Economics; English; Finance; Game Development; History; International Studies; Management; Management Information Systems; Marketing; Mathematics; Operations and Supply Chain Management; Physics; Political Science; Psychology; Statistics; Technical Sales; Women's Studies

Pre-Professional Programs

Allied Health; Law; Medicine

Master's Degrees

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.); Master of Project Management (M.P.M.)

Student life

Student organizations

Some of the larger organizations at Penn State Behrend include the Lion Entertainment Board (LEB), the Student Government Association(SGA), the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Multi-Cultural Council (MCC), and the school newspaper, the Behrend Beacon.

The Lion Entertainment Board is responsible for bringing entertainment to Behrend's student population. There are weekly bands, comedians (some have included Mitch Fatel, Lewis Black, Jim Gaffigan), and other shows. In the past, bands brought to Behrend have included the Goo Goo Dolls (1998, 2010), Shaggy, The Clarks, Third Eye Blind (2008) and recently, The All-American Rejects and Shiny Toy Guns (2009).[2]

The Student Government Association (SGA) of Penn State Behrend is the governing body of the student population and of all student organizations on-campus. It is open to all students; elections are run twice a year - once in the fifth week of Fall semester, and again towards the last half of Spring semester. Students who are interested in politics, or want to represent their fellow students, normally run for Senator or as a Council Representative first, then later may run for an executive board seat (President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary).

The Multi-Cultural Council(MCC) organizes many groups to promote a multi-cultural environment, unity, and cooperation between groups at Behrend. The MCC is prominently located as a student organization in the Reed Union Building, and coordinates celebration of many different events, such as Martin Luther King Week, Hispanic and Black History Month, and many more.[3]

Student Media

The Behrend Beacon

A copy of the front page of the Behrend Beacon from April 17th, 2009.

Every week, The Behrend Beacon publishes stories regarding news events at Behrend, arts events both at the college and in Erie, and sports coverage on Behrend's athletes. It also provides an "Opinion" page for students to publish their own perspectives on political or local events. The "Opinion" page provides a student forum for ideas and debate, and has seen increased use in the last year due to controversial events at the college as well as the presidential election. The paper also runs investigative articles written by Behrend journalists regarding current events or processes at the college.

Students from any and all majors, including mechanical engineering, chemistry, and meteorology, work on the paper. Usually, those interested in a Communication degree, focusing on journalism, will work for the newspaper in an effort to decide whether they want to pursue journalism as a career. Students normally start out as a staff writer, where they will get the opportunity to write news, sports or arts stories for the paper. Editor positions, which are paid positions, deal more with layout of the newspaper and organizing content for a specific section.[4]

BVZ Radio

The campus is also home to BVZ Radio - The Voice Of Behrend, an Online streaming radio station. www.behrendbvz.org The station officially launched on 11/11/11 and is managed by a student management team.

BVZ offers a wide variety of music formats including classic rock, pop, hip-hop, classical, dance and country. All show programming is produced by students, Because BVZ is open format many topics are discussed on each show including Celebrities, Sex, Music, Theater, Events, News and much more! BVZ is often hosts live events on The Behrend Campus and in The Erie Area. BVZ is also extremely active on Twitter @BVZRadio with their signature Wednesday event "BVZ Hump Day"

Greek Organizations

Behrend has a Greek life system. There are four campus recognized social fraternities: Delta Chi, Kappa Delta Rho, Sigma Tau Gamma, and Triangle. There are three campus recognized social sororities: Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau and Theta Phi Alpha. There is one campus recognized professional fraternity: Delta Sigma Pi. There is also Gamma Sigma Sigma, a national service sorority that is also recognized on campus.[5]

On-Campus living

Most Behrend freshman live in Lawrence, Niagara or Perry Halls. Some students live in the newest, centrally located residential hall, Senat Hall, which is reserved for upperclassmen. Almy Hall is for students in a Freshman Interest Group (FIG). Niagara Hall is often considered the best freshman housing on campus. Honors students live in Ohio Hall. Sophomores, juniors and seniors often opt to live in 8 person/4 bedroom suites in Tiffany, Tigress and Porcupine Halls. Ohio Hall contains smaller 4 person/2 bedroom suite-style options. On-campus apartments are also available at the Behrend Apartments, located in the upper section of the main campus area. University Gate Apartments, or U-Gates, is another desirable housing option for students. U-Gates and the newly constructed Hudson Lofts are located off-campus but are within walking distance. [6]

Residential facilities have been recently renovated and all rooms have relatively new furniture in good condition with wall-to-wall carpeting and a microfridge (microwave/refrigerator) in all of the dorm rooms.[6]

Off-Campus living

Many students find housing off-campus in the city of Erie or in other housing options within a few miles of the campus.

Others rent apartments from University Gate Apartments newly managed by The Apartment Store directly across the street from the main entrance to the college. University Gate community center includes Hungry Howie's pizza shop, workout room, lounge area, and new office and laundry facilities. Apartments are fully furnished and include high speed internet, all appliances, private bathrooms and bedrooms, semester leases, and include most amenities.

The newest addition of off-campus housing is the Hudson Lofts Apartments. Located on station road, close to a mile from campus. There is also a university bus loop that will provide transportation to and from the apartment complex. Apartment amenities include high speed internet, cable, in-unit washer/dryer, stainless steel kitchen appliances, private bathrooms, and modern furniture. The apartment community also boasts a coffee bar, fitness room, key swipe access, wifi throughout the building, and all utilities are included. With three different floor plan options and 10 or 12 month lease options.

On-Campus Dining

There are four on-campus dining facilities: the newly renovated Dobbins Dining Hall, Bruno's Café in the Reed Union Building, the recently added on to Bruno's "The Galley" where students can buy small food items and other nessesities, and the Clark Cafe in the REDC. Dobbins is the campus's main dining hall consisting of all you can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as daily specials. Bruno's is an on-campus cafe where students can get all types of food and drinks for dine-in or to-go. It is located in the Reed Union Building and has wireless internet access for students. It tends to be open longer and later than Dobbins: till about 11 PM on weekdays and midnight on weekends. There is often live entertainment on weekends at Bruno’s Café. The Clark Cafe offers a variety of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and drinks, and it provides students with wireless internet access.[7]

Class size

The student:teacher ratio is 16:1 at Penn State Behrend. The Behrend College has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,943, with a gender distribution of 65.2 percent male students and 34.8 percent female students. During the first two semesters, many students may find themselves in bigger classes for some popular intro courses but classes decrease in size in their sophomore year.

Athletics

Known as the Behrend Lions, Penn State Behrend men and women can compete in 11 varsity sports . Penn State Behrend is a member of the NCAA Division III, Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).[8]

Men's Varsity Sports

For information on each varsity sport, including schedules, history, and other information, click the link after each sport.

- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Indoor Track
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Water Polo
- Volleyball (Starting in Fall 2010)

Women's Varsity Sports

For information on each varsity sport, including schedules, history, and other information, click the link after each sport.

- Softball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Indoor Track
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Water Polo
- Volleyball

Intercollegiate Club sports

Penn State Behrend also has 4 intercollegiate club teams participating in ice hockey, rugby, and men's/women's lacrosse. The ice hockey team plays in the College Hockey East league and is a member of the ACHA.

Changing Assignment to University Park

The vast majority of students at Penn State Behrend stay at the college and do not change assignment to another Penn State campus. However, 20% of incoming freshmen eventually change assignment to University Park at the end of their second year in order to complete a program that Penn State Behrend does not offer.[9] In order to change assignment, a person must 1) declare a major by the end of their sophomore year 2) satisfy a few required classes for that major and 3) maintain a sufficient GPA. In most popular majors, about 5-9 specific courses need to be completed (usually a few introductory courses relevant to the major) and roughly a 3.0 GPA needs to be maintained. It is recommended that the student know what their major will be, what classes (if any) are required before changing assignment for their major and if they meet minimum GPA requirements by about third semester or earlier. This is beneficial because if a student is missing any courses or needs to boost their GPA, they can do so in their fourth semester and change assignment to the University Park campus easily and successfully.

Students who declare certain majors (architecture, agricultural business) can change assignment to University Park after their freshman year (instead of after their sophomore year which is more common) because the majors aren't offered at Behrend at all, or as in-depth as it is offered in University Park.

It should be noted that while many majors are offered in University Park and not Behrend, six majors are offered only at Behrend and not University Park: International Business (offered only as a minor at UP), Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies, Plastics Engineering Technology, Software Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology, and a BFA in Creative Writing. This is a major contributing reason why some students do not change campuses.

Knowledge Park

Knowledge Park is a 200-acre (0.81 km2) research and development area located on the campus of Penn State Behrend in a park-like setting. The park enables knowledge-based organizations to take advantage of the college's intellectual and physical resources as well as the resources of other colleges and universities in the region.

Points of interest

See also

Lake Effect

References

  1. ↑ About the College | Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
  2. ↑ News - Behrend LEB
  3. ↑ Multi-Cultural Council
  4. ↑ Penn State Student Newspaper - The Behrend Beacon
  5. ↑ http://pennstatebehrend.psu.edu/student/groups/groups-greeks.htm
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.behrend.psu.edu/student/living/index.htm
  7. ↑ Penn State Behrend - Housing and Food Services
  8. ↑ http://www.behrend.psu.edu/athletics/athletics.htm
  9. ↑ Chancellor Jack Burke, "Newswatch Insider" on WSEE TV, June 17, 2007.

External links

Coordinates: 42°07′10″N 79°59′20″W / 42.119402°N 79.988773°W