Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Top Questions

There are many organizations on campus that fit anyones interests. Also, there are activities that dont involve drinking like bowling, going to the movies, ice skating, or attending the sports events for example football games and baskebtall games. Most of the group of friends I hang out with I know from the dorm when I lived there freshmen year or I met in class. When I lived in the dorm everyone left their doors open. It was a way to stop and talk to people and invite them in to hangout. We would always play games in the lounge on our floors and would go eat together. Homecoming is a big event at IUP. The parade is a lot of fun and its a way to see all the organizations that are at IUP in the parade.

There is a huge selection of fraternities, associations, extracurricular teams, and other things to choose from. Get active. Meet people. It's a lot of fun to do! In dorms, a lot of people left their doors open when I lived in Mack. However, they tore that down for new dorms. I don't know what it is like in the suites. I have an apartment that is off campus, but right across the street from the music building and basically in my church's backyard. Perfect placement for an apartment, and it's not too too expensive. If you don't want to be in a fraternity, you don't have to be. It's fun to just hang out with friends if you like that. There are many things downtown in Indiana to do, like movies, mall, restaurants (although a majority of the ones with bars don't let people under 21 in after 8 or 9), bowling, pool, coffeehouses, and shopping. It's a great atmosphere to interact with others. I really recommend it.

A group that I am involved with is called the Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP). It is a group of student nurses who take part in activities and fundraising for IUP. As far as dorm life goes it is pretty laid back. Some students do leave their doors open so they are able to interact with people passing in the halls. Partying is prevalent at IUP, but it is no different from any other college. Fraternities and Soroities are also a big part of campus life. Some off campus activities include going out to dinner, playing mini golf, getting ice cream, or going to the mall.

Thursday night is the big bar night. Most go uptown and meet at Wolfie's or and Irish Pub called the Coney. For theatre or other fine arts there are the university producations, and the university has several fairly good traveling broadway productions come to campus. The main social life for the fall is of course Steelers football, on a home game many students go to Pittsburgh. There is always something to do on the weekend if you want to go up to Pittsburgh there is the zoo, many museums from art to science. In town there are some great nature walking areas and bike trails.

This town outside of the school has a poor economy and little to do. Incoming students should have a car as otherwise it is hard to get around town. Parking is terrible in the town and on campus. There is a shuttle system that is unreliable and unfeasible to plan your life around, as I have tried to do it prior to having a car.

All sports you get to know alot of people but not only that but also the marching band you meet alot of people as well. We have prof. frats/soro. as well as social frats/soro. There so many places to go on the weekend being not far from pitt. downtown

I am in a sorority at IUP, but it does not control my entire social life. Being a part of the greek community can be a positive or negative experience. Some students focus too much on their social lives and spend less time on academics. I feel that this would happen even if there was no greek community at IUP. However, for students who can manage their time wisely, being part of greek life can be a great experience which allows students to network and become involved at IUP in a positive way. I think that the town of Indiana NEEDS to have more for the college age population to do during the day and at night. This would prevent students from resorting to drinking on the weekends and week days. The town of Indiana needs more shopping, possibly an updated movie theater, an arcade such as dave and busters, bowling withing walking distance of the university, etc. I feel that Indiana, PA needs to evolve into a smaller version of Penn State's downtown area. There is much more to do there rather than drink. As a student, I know that many people do drink as a last resort of having nothing else to do recreationally here in Indiana.

The night life is alive, and altough it's not like the old IUP, where they would have hundreds of drunk people roaming the streets, there is always something going on somewhere. You usually don't even need to kow anyone to get into different parties, just make sure you are with people you know that can watch out for eachother and you'll be fine.

It really depends what your 'crowd' is. I spend time with the History club and Anime club, both small but with plenty of friendly people. The dating scene unfortunately mostly involves the bars.. On a Saturday night, if it isn't hanging out in the HUB, eating, or drinking, there's not all that much to do. If you're awake on 2 am on a Tuesday, you can stare at your ceiling and listen to the bar crowd returning to campus (local bars kick everyone out at 2, generally). You might try counting the ceiling tiles, or play on the internet (all of campus is hooked up to wi-fi, which is great.) Alternately, if you have a car you can go to Wal-mart or Eat-n-Park. I do like the guest speakers invited to IUP-- Last one I went to see was Dr. Devra Davis and it was fascinating stuff. If you like sororities and frats and throwing bean bags into boards with holes in them, you'll love frat row. (It would give you something to do at 2 AM on a Tuesday.)

The greek life seems to be the most popular organization, however, there are lots of club and intramural sports teams that offer the same comradary with less of a commitment. Make sure your school work comes first, and once that is in order get involved.