Can you hear me now, Andy?
OK, sorry about that. I have my mic muted.
Slum became wonder about.
Yeah, you had me second guessing there. I'm like my in or not in or.
Megan said their Wi-Fi has been in and out all day because of the storm last night.
It was bad here it was that.
It was bad here in Altoona as well.
But 1:30 to 2:30 it was like little little nothingness of like.
I mean, if you cut a cough drop into like a third, that's what it was like little hailstones, like about that size.
I looked at our cars. I looked at the neighbors. Nobody got any Danes or damage, which I'm shocked.
Yeah, I didn't notice hail here, but it was lightning Thunder, all that stuff it breed was up for an hour and a half. I just.
Yeah, I think it was up for at least an hour and you just couldn't sleep because of all the noise.
So what I did was I typed up a little intro.
Mum, just to kind of kick off what we're calling a webinar series.
I'm going to random past Sam. He was good with it, um, so just kind of I'll go over that. I shared it with Alex so she can do something similar tomorrow.
Mr MC, I'll introduce myself and then I'll hand it off to the two of you to introduce yourselves, and then we'll let the what the questions come in and go slow.
And I notice for whatever reason, my video is inverted.
Like this is my right hand.
I don't know why I just happen to get it. I'm like wait a second. The cabinets should be on my right and there on the left.
I have both Maps ready because the one has numbers and the other one doesn't, so.
For like parking lots in so.
The only other thing I was thinking about was athletics.
Half my hand in case we want to see fields or coaches names or anything like that.
You have time to look for it. Now. It's saying we got about 25 seconds left here. I hope participants then sign in like after that hit bro.
Uh, maybe we give them a.
Um, I'll let them know that they can start typing their questions now.
And will start getting to them up and do it introductions.
Hi everyone, we're gonna get started shortly here, uhm.
For the time being, if you could go ahead and you can start typing your questions in will be sure to get to them. We're going to give everyone another minute here to log in. And like I said, We'll get started here momentarily.
Alright, I don't want to keep anyone waiting. We're gonna go ahead and get started. Um, first of all, hello and Good afternoon thank you for joining the first part in our virtual information webinar series. Life as a commuter student in Allah Wishes College. It was unfortunate that we did have to cancel accepted student day, but due to obvious reason it had to be done for safety for everyone. Our goal with these webinars is to answer questions that you might have.
And also reduce some of that anxiety. You might have a starting, uh, that next chapter in your life.
My name is Andy Clawson. I serve as the directora freshman admissions, an international student coordinator, also an adjunct professor within our sports management program. That specialization. I reside in Altoona and I've been making that daily commute to Mac for over 15 years while being in the Admissions Office of also coached two different athletic teams so I know what it's like to make that drive at all hours of the day and night before I let Ricky Megan introduced themselves. We hope you and your loved ones are safe and continue to be through these tough times.
Um Rick, go ahead and introduce yourself.
OK, Rick Mishler I served by now wishes colleges directora transfer and returning adult freshman admissions Bennett Mount Ala wishes since 2004 versus a student then coming at working in the emissions office. So I was a transfer student about our wishes and also a commuter student to Mount Ala wishes as well too. So just when I say thank you for everybody joining us and please feel free to type those questions and will definitely answer them here for you today.
Alright, first question. We did have some questions emailed ahead of time for participants that weren't able to make the live session. We totally understand schedules can be tricky. First question that comes in and maybe Rick if you want to take this a big question for our computer students is where can I park?
Yeah, that is a good question. That's something I always try to make sure I showed students when they're here on campus as well, where a good parking lots here. So I'm going to try to share my screen here with you. Just trying to show you some different places where I would recommend. Definitely where to park an where are good places that you can get around. So especially for students. and I showed you and I have the numbered lot here. One spot, especially here is in this parking lot #6.
It's a bigger lot that has that's our biggest lot for commuter students, as most parking spots as well, and it's nice and convenient to our main building here where a good chunk of our liberal arts majors are taught also are nursing program classes are taught in here as well, and then also if you continue on down here also, it's in good walking distance to our academic call where a lot of our social science majors are taught and then also for our students centers here as well.
Here so both for Cosgrave an also are berci center too, so it's a nice easy walk for you. Now if you're looking for a closer lot for peers, it's right over here. It's lot #7 currently and then we also have our lots around our library. 2 so definitely some good places to park. You will need a parking pass which is $40 a year. So that includes both the fall and spring semesters. So I would say these are definitely probably.
The main places where I would say yes, here's a good places for students to park on campus, and as you could follow through the campus, it's in. You just kind of go around it. Kind of circling around the Valley Plaza also are grotto to those parking lots. You could also come in this top entrance right here as well. Continue on the roadway and then that will eventually get to the library parking lots. Then you can eventually circle all around and eventually end up in that parking lot. #6 so it's your choice whichever way you come in student.
It's really depends. I know students who especially start off here in the main building are usually always going the parking lot #6 taking this entrance now I've taken the top entrance is more if you're starting your day in the library or Pearsall or even the academic call.
So, Megan, What do you say to students then?
I see question came in your thumb. You know when do we obtain student parking pass? Would that be the first day of class or when are they able to start getting their parking pass?
I usually tell students that where orientations definitely a good time. You could definitely get that parking pass during that time frame and your student. Your ID as well, so you could actually do two things at the same time, so that's definitely a good time frame. Sometimes students will come in for scheduling, so say if they come in and June or July.
You could do scheduling 1st and then go get your parking pass an your ID, so those are usually at times I recommend definitely to do that. It's just seems to be easier. You're already on campus for something else and you might as well if you have that extra half hour hour to continue on and do something from there. So that's why I usually say Andy.
Now certainly good call in, you know, orientation is still up in the air at the moment. Originally we were going to have a June orientation for new students. Now that might get Bob due to the situation and everything going on. We're still going to work on things, but students are going to be able to get a parking pass during that orientation session. So I recommend number one when orientation does open up and we have that date.
Certainly look to attend and get your parking pass while you're here that day.
So we talked about work. I park um in that parking pass.
What what do we do? What? What do commuter students do in between classes? Let's say maybe you have an hour or two break in between classes and you don't want to get anything to eat 'cause you're not hungry. Working working students go to hang out Megan D. Do you have any insight on that?
Definitely thank you, Megan. You know, it's hard to believe when you go into that Berci Center that used to be our gymnasium on campus that I spend many hours in as a coach and how it's just transformed into a really cool student hub.
Has some some neat things there with with some computers and printers and even just to run in and get a cup of coffee and go. Certainly good place for them now. Making you mentioned about eating on campus.
Being a commuter student, you may not want to get a meal plan and eat in the cafeteria everyday because you're not there every day or you're not there for lunch every day. What. What can students do come and do they have to carry cash with them to eat our cafeteria?
Good answer there. Megan, Ricky have anything to add to that?
Yeah, and I take Megan made a great point is about the student ID, how it could be used in so many different ways right there. Adding money to your account and I will say especially for that. Mac Shack is the quick part. You know, if you just want the quick drink or to quick they have different meal of the day options as well too. So there's a couple different meals a day you can do. That's more the quick place if you want to sit down.
A traditional lunch or supper or breakfast that would be more the buffet style through our cafeteria. So I mean and Megan mention it. You know, that's where we go. Sometimes we don't have alot of time between work that we have to do or meeting with. Students are doing phone calls. We usually go there real quick just to get something in a hurry so but I will also mention as well there are different eateries in town as well. Of Crescent too. There is a McDonald's. There is a sheets. There is a subway to suggest to name a couple.
There are local ones as well. Are Crescent Springs Vetoes Donnies the name a few as well. So there are places outside of Mount Ala wishes to that are in the local area which aren't far away. You know, within 5 minutes of campus.
Rick, nice job bringing up the the off campus stuff. 'cause That's where I was going to Next up. Do you have a favorite place to eat off campus?
Oh, good question. Actually, I would say probably I'm going to go with Vito's right now if I'm going for a lunch, I'm probably going to Vito's if I'm going for breakfast, I'm probably going to Crescent Springs, so if I had to choose there.
Nice Mega Night. Do you have any opinion?
Yeah, there's stuff like some good spots on campus and also keep in mind or our students get a discount at a lot of these restaurants in town by just showing their campus ID. So that's a nice benefit for students, especially if you have a little bit of time you want to change the scenery job off campus. Definitely good thing.
To talk about here, I think we need to maybe move on to some campus life on campus and other things that you can do. Maybe in between classes.
Connie C.
02:15:43 PM
When do we obtain student parking pass the first day of class?
Record what about clubs for commuter students? Can they join a club?
Connie C.
02:15:50 PM
Hi Richard
Connie C.
02:15:54 PM
Thank you
All the clubs are offered for students so you can join any club or anything along those lines. So there are specific clubs for majors plus there also ones that are outside of majors has to do more with interest or things along those lines. The one that I always know I always talk to students about that I is the comic book club. Again, we don't have a comic book major, but it's something that's a club that's available.
It's out there for students so, and I mean, even though you may not be a a sign language major, you could always join the ASL club. So I mean those things are out there for you. I know when my student was, my sister was a student on campus. She was a it major information technology major, but yet she was the head of the psychology club. So I mean there are those different things that are out there for you.
No, absolutely. And if there's clubs, if there's a club you want to start, and this is for any student on campus. Let's say there's something we don't offer, and you have an interest in. All you need is like 6 or 7 signatures and you have a brand new club started out based on the areas that maybe you want to get other people involved with on campus. So certainly I think there's a lot of things to do there. Megan, do you have anything to add to the club atmosphere and seen on campus?
Richard Mishler
02:17:25 PM
hi Connie! hope all is well with you.
Now very cool and we want all students to get involved on campus with all the different activities there. Weekend trips, you name it. There's evening concerts we want soon as come to campus and get involved now. Another thing that we have on campus and I think Megan, you might still have your map pulled up. And what about working out?
On campus, if soon as want to lose some weight and get some cardio in, or maybe play a pick up game of basketball, you know where it working? Students do that on Kansas.
No, I absolutely I know right frequency that place a lot right? Do you have anything you want to add to that?
What is I've never frequent there ever but I mean the nice thing is you you the nice part with that building is as well, too, is I mean, it's nice to even just walk around constantly will have professors will have students as well. That just make walks around it. So many times, just to get their you know their walks and especially because it's a nice clean safe secure area.
Very well lit and it's very nice to either. You know, it's pretty much a square rectangle the whole way around, so it's a nice place to get your walk in if you're walking so many miles per day and everything. It's easy just to do it in there too as well. And Megan already kind of mention this, but another use of your college ID to to get into using the cardio room and weight room so that ID is very, very important and it's very important for many different reasons. So to keep on you at all times.
Yeah, absolutely. It's a state of the art facility. Definitely take advantage of of it as your student on campus. Good question, just came in here and you know we live on a mountain top and this is the reality of Crescent.
Connie C.
02:21:39 PM
Yes looking forward to getting started
But what if? What if a student can't get to campus due to bad weather? Uhm, we know what we know it happens. We know what the winners can be like in pressing, though it is beautiful. We can get some snow sometimes. Rick you are a commuter student to campus.
You're, you're even making the commute everyday to work. I mean what, what's your take on that? How are professors? Uhm, maybe, maybe not. All wishes doesn't go on a delay or cancel, but you can't get out of your driveway.
Yeah, and this is one thing and I did it mention to previous before I lived in Johnstown when I was a commuter student, and even when I first start working at Mount Ala wishes. Now currently I live in new Alexandria, PA, which is on the other side of Blairsville. Going closer to Pittsburgh.
So it's about a 45 minute drive to 50 minute drive I have on a daily basis right now. When I was a commuter student, Johnson was about 1/2 hour from John's town, so I will. I have always said this is students and everything is take your time to get the campus. Give yourself an extra half hour or hour. I mean, if you can do it, that's great, especially because you never know what the weather is going to be like. It may be great and John's town, but Evansburg is not so great or.
It going the other way, going the other way. I mean, Altoona could be great, but who knows what's happening in glitz and just that little bit more up the mountain. So I always tell students to try to get there as soon as you know, try to get the class, give yourself the extra time at worst case scenario you may be in the library studying or berci. You may go get a breakfast or something you know, or something along those lines. So if you're unable to make it, hey, I just looked at my car, all four tires or somehow.
Right now I'm not going to make it let your professor immediately know. You know whether it's taking a picture saying it via email. Hey, I just looked at my car, all four tires or somehow flat. I'm not going to make it to class on time I may be 15 minutes late or something like that. I always say to let the professors know it, just in case anything's happening. Yes, we do delay at Mount our wishes. We have a delay schedule which will start at ten o'clock. Yes, we do cancel if we cancel.
Classes are cancelled. An clinicals are cancelled as well too.
Yeah, now it's Rick. I agree we've. I think the institution is done a really nice job. We understand we do have a strong computer based students out there. More mindful of that. We understand that we have students go into Clinicals. So we really try to make that decision ahead of time and give the students enough notice that if we do need to delay or cancel your not stranded on the road trying to make it to campus. I I know to add to that Rick, I can speak from personal experience.
I'm one of those professors that has that 8:00 AM class on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings. Uhm, so I get it up as a professor and I think a lot of other professors and faculty do that. If you really it's not worth risking your life to try to get the campus for a class will get the notes to you will work with you. There's not going to be any hesitation there, and same way with the clinicals. It's at the end. We care about the students individually and we want what's best for them. And if you're not comfortable making that drive.
Hum, that's that's perfectly fine. Will work with you throughout the process. Coming from Altoona Everyday you know I get to get the face Route 22. Uhm, try to be in the office. You know whether it class at 8:00 o'clock or trying to be in the office around 8:00 o'clock. For the most part the roads are usually pretty good. You just might have to take your time and plan ahead accordingly.
Megan, you have anything to add to that? I know you don't have a very far drive to campus, but I still drive nonetheless.
Now sure, absolutely. Hey winter is only one season. The campus is beautiful. Fall, spring and summer as well. Uhm, so for anyone who hasn't been the campus, make sure you get there. Check it out, walk the grounds and it's 193 acres. You could spread out there and really check out all the sites that we have to offer. The buildings you'll see from that campus map at the bottom of campus. You know the Old Main administrative building.
Is the original piece, but as you work your way up through campus things kind of get new or newer as you go and and really, they've tide the buildings and everything in together that it's really, really is a beautiful campus.
Looking at our our questions that have come in, I don't have any that we haven't answered. Rick Megan.
Are there any questions that maybe weren't asked that that you think we need to address before we wrapped things up here?
Yeah, I'm going to go over. One thing we haven't talked about it a lot, but I think it's something we should definitely talk about. Is our library so definitely another spot that you can go to when you have that free time you know between classes so our library located right here on our campus. So definitely if you need to print out a paper or if you need to.
You know, had time if you wanna study, there's very quiet study spots. I always like showing him off on tour. So if you want that really super quiet spots their spots on our our top floor of our library up there, so quiet little more cubicle rooms. Plus there's also lounge chairs as well, so definitely a good spot to go there. And another reason for that ID is if you want a library book out. You do need that ID as well. Plus say if you are looking for a particular work.
Batman, our wishes doesn't have. So say if you're looking for something that's written, uh, you know, uh, a particular book written by an author untried even think of one, but just say if you need it. It's not here, but it's in the Johnstown Library. We can get it set up in a day or two and already have it for you so you don't have to drive down the Johnstown downtown Johns town to pick up a book. It will come through our interlibrary loan program that we work with many different libraries, and it can get sent to us so.
If you needed help for a pick, ticular writing assignment or something like that, you need that book. We can get it sent there as well, and plus we also have online databases for books, Journal, scholarly entries as well, so that will all be available to you as well. So definitely the library definitely at key building on campus for students. And again another reason for that ID as well.
Yeah, that's a really good point, right? We didn't mention about academic services, so you know, let's say being a computer soon, it could be juggling a lot of different things. We realized that so it within the library you have tutoring services. There you have a pure professional writing center there where you can get tons of help.
So at the end of the day, the ones who don't ask are the ones that don't get the help, so you know if you do happen to need help with the class and struggle a little bit. Or maybe you fell behind due to personal reasons, whatever it might be, you're just not connecting with The Professor.
Tutoring services academic services. They were there to help. They are located in the library as well and can be another resource for you to be the most successful student that you can be.
Megan, is there anything we missed?
And I think Megan made a good point. They are there to help you as well. You know changing attire I've locked my keys in my car twice in my time frame there, so they have helped me out two times doing that. But I mean in The thing is with Crescent were a little bit separate from town, just a little bit or just a little bit away from the main thoroughfare of 50. Three through Cresson, the cuts really Crescent in two parts. I mean, we're just a little bit away, and I mean crescenza, very safe and secure town. It's not like.
There's you know there there's no major problems or anything like that. You know if you invade the speed limits and everything and a beta, the laws and everything that Pennsylvania has, you'll be perfectly fine in Cresson, PA.
Now, good stuff. Very good stuff. You know it's always for anyone who listens to this video. If there's any other questions that you might think of, we're all here to help. You know at this point that concludes things for today. Thank you everyone for joining us. Thank you Rick and Megan through your expertise.
Connie C.
02:32:48 PM
Thank you very nice webnar. Have a good day stay safe
Always reach out to anyone of us at the institution that includes financial aid, academic advising faculty in our business office. Each one of us were here to we're doing everything we can to serve each one of you throughout these crazy times. We know it's a little tricky. Please make sure you know next steps. Please check check out our virtual admissions hub for the next steps. Please don't hesitate again to reach out to us. Stay, stay smart, be safe.
And we'll get through all this together and hope to see you all on campus this fall. Thank you everyone and again, thank you. Reckon Megan for your expertise.
Thank you everyone. Have a good day.