Graduate Student Services & Activities

So many sides to campus life exist outside the classroom at Montevallo. Whether it is athletic, artistic, intellectual, or recreational, something epic is always happening on campus. This section of the Bulletin introduces you to the student community at Montevallo including the campus and community advisors, directors, volunteers, and friends who provide student activities, programs, and services.

Administrative Offices and Services

Bookstore

Freddie’s Books and More
845 Main Street
(205) 665-6575
www.montevallo.edu/campus/bookstore

Follett operates the University bookstore, it is located on Main Street in Montevallo, across from McDonald’s (two blocks from the center of campus). Distance learning students may order their books and materials online and have them delivered to their homes. 

Career Development Center

Michael Lebeau, Director
Farmer Hall, 2^nd floor
(205) 665-6262
montevallo.edu/career-development-center

The Career Development Center offers comprehensive services to undergraduates, graduates, and alumni regarding their career planning efforts, job market strategies, and professional development.

We offer individual career counseling and personality testing. We provide information, assistance, tools and resources to help students identify personal strengths, career interest, and work values to define a good academic and career fit.

We assist students in devising a career action plan to help them explore career options, make critical decisions, and set achievable goals.

We equip students with the tools they need to be successful in the job market, including assistance with networking techniques, interview skills, resume writing, letter writing, and professional etiquette. We help them locate and obtain job shadowing, volunteer, internship, and employment opportunities in their field.

Carmichael Library

Librarians offer individualized assistance with research assignments via chat, email and phone, as well as face-to-face. We also provide support for creative endeavors involving the use of digital media and for archival research. Distance education students have full access to library collections via our “scan and deliver” service, and all students can use our free inter-library loan service to request materials from other libraries. Visit the library website for access to online databases, research guides and tutorials, or to contact a library staff member for more information.

Counseling Services

Whether this is your first semester on campus, you are preparing to graduate, or you are somewhere in between, college can be challenging. The Counseling Services office is here to help! Our staff understands the pressures of being a college student and are available to meet with you. All services are free and confidential and are available to currently enrolled, degree-seeking students.

Our services include individual and group counseling. These services can help you as you learn to deal with relationships, live away from home, balance a variety of responsibilities, and handle everyday life, among other things. We are also involved in raising awareness on campus about mental-health issues that are relevant to you as a student.

To schedule an appointment with a counselor, stop by our office in the Puryear House or call 665-6245. For more information about our services, visit the University’s website.

Dining Services

Chartwells
Dining Hall
205-665-8233
montevallo.edu/dining

The University contracts with Chartwells to operate Falcon Foods. Falcon Foods includes services in Anna Irvin Dining Hall (seating capacity of 650) where a variety of choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in a traditional cafeteria setting. In addition, Moe’s, Einstein’s, and Smooth Sailing offer fast-food style walk-up counter service located in the James R. Wilkinson Student Life Center in Farmer Hall.  

Disability Support Services

Disability Support Services (DSS) coordinates access and services for qualified students with a wide variety of disabilities, such as learning disabilities, attention disorders, vision or hearing loss, medical, mental health, orthopedic/mobility, autism spectrum, brain injury/post concussive syndrome, and speech/language disorders. Links regarding documentation guidelines and registration with DSS can be found on the DSS web page. Services may include, but are not limited to, classroom and testing accommodations, note-taking support, alternate format texts, assistive software/equipment, disability-related housing and/or dietary needs, and temporary/permanent accessible parking permits. DSS staff coordinates closely with other campus departments, such as Housing, Counseling, UM Police, Dining services, Veteran and Military Affairs, and various academic support departments to provide access and accommodations as necessary. DSS also serves as a resource to faculty and staff, providing training and assistance in implementing student accommodations.

Engaged Education and Public Service 

The Division of Academic Affairs oversees outreach initiatives designed to promote engaged education and public service at the University of Montevallo. Opportunities include service learning, including public-service oriented internships and professional development opportunities for students; connecting academics and practitioners; dual enrollment; and convening events and forums on issues of critical public importance that bring together community and student audiences. The Office of Engaged Education and Public Service plans, schedules, and implements engaged learning and public service activities appropriate to student needs.

Falcon Success Center

While pursuing your graduate degree at the University of Montevallo, you may find you need help navigating the resources available to you to become the successful student you want to be.  At the Falcon Success Center, where our overall goal is to help students succeed, we can assist you by offering the following services:

• Academic counseling and student success plans
• Assessments of academic needs, including:
  • Note-taking skills
  • Reading skills
  • Study skills
  • Time management
• Standardized test preparation
• Tutoring for select courses at the Learning Enrichment Center

Graduate Studies

The Graduate Studies Office supports students through the admission process as they apply to the graduate program of their choice and throughout their program as they progress to graduation. Our goal is to collaborate with students and their families, as well as faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the larger community through recruiting, admission application assistance, scholarship applications/awards, academic progress monitoring, and graduation. Our goal is to guide students seamlessly through the admission and enrollment processes.  

Harbert Writing Center

The Harbert Writing Center (HWC) offers one-on-one writing consultation services online and in person to all members of the University of Montevallo community. Consultations take place at any stage of the writing process, from planning the assignment to polishing the composition. HWC consultants are skilled student writers who have been trained to work with both strong and struggling writers. We encourage all students to come to the HWC for support with writing-intensive classes at any level and in any discipline. Students may make appointments at montevallo.mywconline.com; drop-in appointments are available as the schedule allows. This service is free to all students and community members.

Housing and Residence Life

Living on campus allows students to experience college life to its fullest. The UM residence halls provide not only convenience and a sense of community, but constant opportunities for intellectual, social, and emotional growth as well. Living on campus puts you close to your classes, dining hall, student activity center, library, and all the campus activities. Self-government is encouraged in all residence halls. Residence Hall Directors are aided by student Resident Assistants (RAs), who are responsible for the floors on which they live.

The Housing and Residence Life Office coordinates all on-campus housing assignments.

Residence Halls

There are ten air-conditioned residence halls on campus, with Internet access and cable television service in each room.

Students with special circumstances may contact the Director of Housing and Residence Life. In addition, in order to be eligible to live on campus, a student must be enrolled at least half-time (5 hours for a graduate student) or three hours per summer term.

Research shows that living on campus is a very positive factor for a student’s success and, at Montevallo, helping all students succeed is a priority.

International Student Services

Jason Perry, Student Diversity Recruitment and Retention Coordinator
GloCo Building
845 Valley Street
(205) 665-6219
jperry5@montevallo.edu

Amy Minor, Assistant Registrar and Designated School Official (DSO)
Palmer Hall, 2^nd Floor
(205)665-6039
minorad@montevallo.edu
montevallo.edu/about-um/administration/registrars-office/international-student-information

The Office of Student Diversity Recruitment and Retention offers the following services to international students attending the University:

• Friendship Partners - The Friendship Partners program pairs international students with local families to expose them to our culture and provide them a source of support and sense of family
• International Student Advisory Committee - The International Student Advisory Committee’s mission is to advocate for the needs of our international students and make sure they have the necessary support and resources to thrive throughout their Montevallo experience
• International Student Organization - The International Student Organization is represented by our international student body and is committed to developing the international presence at UM, including assisting in advocating for needs of international students, creating events to build community, collaborating with campus, etc.
• International Student Shuttle - To provide a safe and easy transition process for our international students, we offer a free student shuttle to them, to and from the Birmingham Airport.

Additionally, the P/DSO (Primary/Designated School Officials) located in the Registrar’s Office provides assistants with documentation (I-20) needed for compliance with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and SEVIS (SEVP) to maintain F-1 student status.  For additional information visit the International Student Information site.

Public Safety

Providing the University of Montevallo Community with a safe and secure environment is our priority. The UM Police Department (UMPD) is a service orientated, professional department committed to the concept of Community Oriented Policing. Our mission is to be involved with the people we serve, building collaborative partnerships, and working together as a team. Our goal is to support everyone in their educational pursuit by maintaining a safe community that is conducive to the spirit of learning. We provide the University with a full-service Public Safety Agency that is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. We encourage prompt reporting of all crimes and suspicious activity to the Campus Police to assist us in providing the best possible service. Working as a team in our community can only enhance the quality of life on our campus. Other services provided by the UMPD include vehicle registration, after-hours escort service, campus blue light phones, traffic appeals, and the UM Alert Emergency Notification System. For more information, visit the UMPD website.

Regional Inservice Education Center

The mission of the University of Montevallo Regional Inservice Education Center (UM-RIEC) is to provide sustained, comprehensive, effective professional development that addresses the needs of all educators across the region. In doing so, we aim to enable educators to provide the best opportunities for all students to achieve educational success. Recognizing that becoming an effective educator is a continuous process, we are committed to providing ongoing opportunities to all educational personnel to maximize their understanding and abilities in specific content areas as well as in the areas of effective pedagogical methods and state-of-the-art technological applications. By developing and maintaining a community of learners among district and University of Montevallo personnel, we provide collaborative opportunities for cooperative work, research, and mentoring.

Programs and initiatives associated with the UM-RIEC include the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI), Alabama Science in Motion (ASIM), Technology in Motion (TIM), and the National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) Candidate Support Program.

The Center serves thirteen public school districts including: Alabaster City, Bibb County, Chilton County, Coosa County, Homewood City, Hoover City, Mountain Brook City, Pelham City, Shelby County, Sylacauga City, Talladega County, Talladega City, and Vestavia Hills City.

Registrar’s Office

The Registrar’s Office supports students and the University’s mission by ensuring the accuracy and security of student information and academic records, providing exceptional service to students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the community, all while acting in a manner of compliance with University policy as well as state and federal law. Our team is a partner with students and their advisors from the first day of registration to graduation!

The Registrar’s Office provides the following services:

• Degree requirements evaluation
• Enrollment and degree verification
• FERPA and privacy compliance
• Graduation certification and verification
• International student information and support
• Major, minor, and program resources
• Registration and class schedule information and support
• Residency (In-state) status
• Student information updates
• Transcript request
• Transfer and transient credit
• Withdrawals and drops

Speech and Language Services

The University of Montevallo Speech and Language Center in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders provides assistance to students and the general public who with hearing, speech, or language difficulties. Any student may arrange for a hearing screening, speech evaluation (e.g., articulation, voice, fluency), and/or language evaluation by filling out the online Request for Service form at the above website or by calling the Speech and Language Center and requesting an appointment. Evaluation and therapeutic services are provided at no charge.

Student Affairs/Dean of Students

Staff in Student Affairs motivate, support, and challenge students in their pursuit of becoming meaningfully employed, responsible, and informed citizens by assisting students to identify and pursue their passions. In addition, they collaborate with faculty, students, staff, and the community to provide a unique liberal education experience rooted in the values of diversity and social justice in order to honor the unique talents of each individual.

Refer to the Fledgling (Student Handbook) for more information.

Student Aid

The Student Aid Office assists graduate students with the financial aid process, including inquiries about scholarships/graduate assistantships and applications for federal work study and loans. Students are encouraged to contact the Student Aid Office to learn more about their financial aid options. Once unconditionally admitted to UM, graduates should annually apply for scholarships based on information found at https://www.montevallo.edu/graduate-studies/graduate-scholarships-and-assistantships/. Annually, graduates should also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov. This application is used to determine eligibility for federal work study and loans. The Student Aid Office looks forward to serving all graduates and ensuring their financial needs are met.

Student Conduct

Dr. Tony Miller, Jr., Director
Main Hall, Lower level
(205) 665-6020
tmiller7@montevallo.edu
montevallo.edu/campus-life/campus-safety/student-conduct

The Office of Student Conduct encourages academic excellence, accountability, integrity, moral courage, and respect by holding students accountable to the student Code of Conduct. We assist students in bringing their actions into congruence with their values.

Student Health Services

*Graduate students may elect to pay the health fee to access Student Health Services. 

Student Health Services is an on-campus clinic which provides direct, basic medical care to graduate students who elect to pay the Student Health Services Fee.  Student Health Services also serves as a referral source for students needing care beyond that available on campus. Expenses incurred from care provided off campus are the responsibility of the student.  Appointments are required.

Student Life

The Student Life Office coordinates student organizations and student events both on and off campus. The staff coordinates student leadership development programs, meets with the advisors to all campus groups, and advises the Panhellenic, National Panhellenic, and Interfraternity councils, the Student Government Association, and the University Program Council. The office also schedules functions at the Stewart Student Retreat, Farmer Hall Meeting Room, SGA Conference Room, and Student Life Center Stage. 

Title IX

Dr. Tony Miller, Jr., Title IX Coordinator
Main Hall, Lower level
(205) 665-6020
tmiller7@montevallo.edu
titleix@montevallo.edu

Ashley Baugh, Title IX Coordinator for Employees
Will Lyman House, Station 6055
(205) 665-6055
abaugh1@montevallo.edu

Dawn Makofski, Deputy Title IX Coordinator
McChesney Student Activities Center
(205) 665-6633
MakofskiDB@montevallo.edu

The University of Montevallo is committed to providing an educational and employment environment free of harassment and other forms of discrimination on the basis on race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, national origin, or veteran status of and by faculty, staff, and students. The University of Montevallo does not discriminate on the basis of sex in our education program or activities we operate and are required by Title IX not to discriminate in such a manner. The requirement not to discriminate in our education program or activities extends to admission and employment. If you have any inquiries about the application of Title IX, please contact our Title IX Coordinator, Tony Miller, Jr. Please visit the University’s Title IX web page at montevallo.edu/about-um/administration/human-resources/title-ix-sexual-harassment/

Veteran and Military Affairs

The University of Montevallo and the UM Office of Veteran and Military Affairs is honored to serve our student veterans, service persons, and their families as they study with us. The Vet Center provides, facilitates, and coordinates programs and services to meet the needs of this student population. Students are encouraged to visit the Veterans’ Center, located in the GloCo Building, which offers a computer lab, free printing services, a lounge area, phone charging stations, a quiet area for studying, and a conference room. For more information, contact our officer or visit our web page.

Concerts, Lectures, and Performances

Distinguished speakers, lecturers, and artists appear several times each year. With a few exceptions, there is no admission charge for these events. The University’s event calendars are located at montevallo.edu/campus-life/campus-events.

Dancy Lectures

Launched in 1939, the Dancy Lecture Series brings a distinguished scholar of literature or language arts to campus every two years. Scholars, critics, and writers who have served as Dancy lecturers include Houston Baker, Joseph Campbell, Horton Foote, Stephen Greenblatt, Elaine Pagels, Natasha Trethewey, and Helen Vendler.

Dr. Wilson Fallin Lecture Series

montevallo.edu/about-um/administration/policies/presidents-office/diversity-and-inclusion/fallinlectureseries

Established in 2021, the Dr. Wilson Fallin Jr. Lecture Series highlights educational and social-cultural topics related to African American heritage, social justice and racist justice. 

Farmer Lectures

The Hallie Farmer lectures bring distinguished figures in the social sciences to Montevallo for two to three days of lectures and informal appearances. Guests have ranged from a former U.S. secretary of state to a Russian-American documentary filmmaker. The lecture series was established in 1985 in memory of Montevallo professor and civic leader Hallie Farmer.

Fine Arts Performances and Event Series: Communication Events, Gallery Shows, Concerts, Recitals, and Theatre Productions

montevallo.edu/academics/colleges/college-of-fine-arts/performances-and-events 

The College of Fine Arts produces a unified season of approximately 60 performances and events annually, many of which are free. The Department of Art presents several professional and student BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) capstone exhibitions each semester, including regular showings of work by UM art faculty. Professional exhibitions at the Center for the Arts’ Poole Art Gallery include a gallery talk or lecture by the artist. The Department of Communication presents ValloVision news broadcasts, Media Day and ComS Day events each year, as well as a festival of short, student-produced films. The Department of Music presents multiple concerts featuring student choirs and instrumental ensembles, recitals by faculty, students, and guest artists, and opera. The Department of Theatre stages a wide range of plays and musical theatre productions, guest artist workshops, BFA showcases, and student-directed work. Auditions and technical theatre interviews for departmental productions in Theatre are open to all UM students and are held twice a year for the productions produced in a regular semester. Students interested in participating should contact the main department email address: theatre@montevallo.edu, to be directed to the appropriate faculty member or they are welcome to message any department faculty member with questions.

Martha Allen Lecture Series in the Visual Arts

montevallo.edu/academics/colleges/college-of-fine-arts/departments/department-of-art/the-gallery/art-events/artist-talks-martha-allen-lecture-series

These annual lectures bring prominent artists, art historians, and critics to campus to deliver major public lectures and to meet directly with students and faculty.

Pat Scales Lecture Series

Launched in 2018, the Pat Scales Lecture Series brings a scholar, author, or illustrator to campus each spring to speak about issues related to children’s or young adult literature, including intellectual freedom. The lecture series is an extension of the Pat Scales Special Collections mission of promoting individual and collaborative study and research of children’s and young adult literature.

Vacca Lectures

montevallo.edu/visiting-scholar-teachers

An eminent teacher-scholar in the liberal arts is invited periodically to Montevallo to teach a special undergraduate course and deliver public lectures as the Paschal P. Vacca Professor of Liberal Arts. The guest scholar also assists the faculty by reviewing the University’s curriculum and library holdings. Coming from a variety of backgrounds, Vacca professors contribute new perspectives to the learning experience at Montevallo.

Student Activities and Organizations

Students at Montevallo have many opportunities for group participation and leadership experiences. There are clubs and organizations of all kinds-academic, honorary, professional, religious, and special interest. Additionally, some 15 percent of Montevallo students choose to affiliate with one of 15 national fraternities or sororities active at UM. A complete list of active student organizations, fraternities, and sororities is available on the University’s website. 

Robert M. McChesney Student Activity Center

The Robert M. McChesney Student Activity Center provides a variety of recreational opportunities for students enrolled in the University. In addition to hosting home volleyball and basketball games, concerts, convocations, and other University-wide events, the McChesney Student Activity Center offers a state-of-the-art cardio-weight area, racquetball courts, walleyboard courts, multi-purpose rooms, an intercollegiate swimming pool, and a walking track. An 18-hole disc golf course, basketball, tennis, and volleyball court are available in the area outside the facility. The mission of the McChesney Student Activity Center is to support the student’s higher educational experience by providing comprehensive wellness components through recreational facilities and programs, including cardiovascular, weight conditioning, and aquatic activities.

Athletics

Athletics are an integral part of the total University program, complementing the goals of general education. The intercollegiate athletic program makes its contribution to individual development through competitive sports activities designed to improve individual fitness, develop neuromuscular skills, foster and maintain socially positive standards of conduct, and create desirable attitudes toward physical recreation, rest, and relaxation.

The ideal of the student-athlete is taken very seriously at Montevallo, where the coaching staff places a high priority on success in the classroom as well as in the game. As a result, Montevallo student-athletes exceed both state and national averages for academic success. 

The University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division II. Men compete in baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, indoor track and field, lacrosse, outdoor track and field, soccer, swimming, tennis and wrestling, while women compete in basketball, cross-country, golf, indoor track and field, lacrosse, outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. The University also offers Spirit Squads in cheer and dance. Additionally, the Athletics Department sponsors the University’s Esports team.

Montevallo has an outstanding reputation for athletic excellence, with a long list of All-American athletes and frequent appearances in championship tournaments.

Students may request the University Athletic Program Equity in Athletics Disclosure by contacting the Director of Athletics.

College Night

montevallo.edu/campus-life/campus-events/college-night

College Night is known as the only Homecoming tradition of its kind in the nation. Selected as a “Local Legacy” for the Library of Congress’s bicentennial celebration in 2000, College Night is a festival of comedy, drama, music and athletics that actually lasts four nights.

College Night leaders are elected in the spring and recruiting of new “Purples” and “Golds” begins during the Fall Semester.

Each February, hundreds of alumni return to campus for this annual event, which has taken place each year since its beginning in 1919. Students and alumni enjoy contests culminating in a pair of rival theatre productions.

The College Night shows, staged by the Purple and Gold teams, are original from the ground up. Scripts, music, sets, and costumes are all created by students, and students direct, conduct, and perform the final product. The climax comes late on a Saturday night, when a panel of independent judges chooses a winner.

In the words of a former student, “Saturday night of College Night can be the most thrilling, totally unique evening of your life, or the most disappointing, almost agonizing experience imaginable. But after being involved in it in some way, the feeling remains that, win or lose, either way, it was worth it.”

Community School of Music

Davis Hall
(205) 665-6678
umcsm@montevallo.edu
montevallo.edu/music/csm

Established in 1972, the Community School of Music provides exceptional music instruction to all ages and levels of ability within the surrounding communities. Non-credit private lessons are available in piano, guitar, voice, organ, saxophone, violin, French horn, flute, trombone, trumpet, mandolin, bass guitar, ukulele, clarinet, and percussion. A free Musicianship Class is available for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years of age during the Fall and Spring semesters. Recitals are free of charge and open to the public each semester. The CSM is located in Davis Hall. To register, visit the University’s website or call 205-665-6678. 

Intramural Sports

montevallo.edu/campus-life/student-life/intramurals

Athletics organizes and provides intramural athletic events for students, faculty, and staff. Intramural sports include flag football, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, basketball, and kickball as well as smaller tournaments for yard games. Intramurals are played in September, October, November, February, March, and April.

Music Ensembles

montevallo.edu/music/ensembles-2

Students may audition for any of several choral and instrumental ensembles. Performing groups include the Concert Choir, University Chorus, Chamber Choir, Wind Ensemble (Concert Band), Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, and Chamber-Music Ensembles.

Religious Life

The Montevallo Campus Ministry Association, an ecumenical consortium of ministers who act as chaplains for the residence halls, enhance religious life on campus by sponsoring special events and providing places where students can find religious fellowship. Assembly of God, Baptist, Catholic, Episcopal, and Methodist churches are all located within three blocks of campus, along with a Roman Catholic chapel and Baptist and Presbyterian campus-ministry buildings. The Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of the Nazarene, and several other Baptist or independent churches are also active in Montevallo. Lutheran, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and other denominations are represented in the county. People of the Jewish and Muslim faiths meet at locations in Birmingham and Shelby County.

Student Government Association

montevallo.edu/student-government-association

Since 1916, the president and faculty have encouraged students to govern themselves in important areas of campus life. Meetings of the SGA Senate are open to students. Graduate students have representation in the SGA through one elected graduate senator who works with the SGA on programs of specific interest to graduate students. Each year the SGA updates The Fledgling (found on the University’s website), a student handbook containing pertinent information regarding student life on campus.

Student Publications and Productions

The Alabamian

thealabamian.com

The campus newspaper was first published in 1922 and is issued semimonthly during the academic year. The Alabamian is published by students under the director of student editors. It is distributed free to students, and students are encouraged to apply for staff positions as writers, photographers, artists, editors, or salespeople.

Vallo Vision

The University’s live-to-tape weekly newscast is reported and produced by students in a fully equipped TV studio in the Mass Communication building. Students also live-stream athletic events and produce a variety of student-run programming for the campus.

Montage

montevallo.edu/montage-yearbook

Students have published an annual yearbook since 1907. Now known as the Montage, it was the first yearbook in Alabama to be produced with desktop-publishing equipment. The Montage is published by students under the director of student editors. It is distributed free to students, and students are encouraged to apply for staff positions as writers, photographers, artists, editors, or salespeople.

The Tower

montevallo.edu/the-tower

The Tower, Montevallo’s campus literary and arts magazine, has been publishing UM students’ original creative writing and artwork since 1932. The Tower is edited and published by a team of student readers and editors and is distributed on campus free of charge. UM students are encouraged to apply for staff positions as editors, readers, social media/PR managers, graphic designers, and copy editors. Submissions of creative work can be sent to Tower@montevallo.edu. Follow The Tower at @umthetower on Twitter or @um_thetower on Instagram.

Theatre Productions

Students are invited to participate as actors and technicians in plays and musicals regularly staged on campus. The University Theatre draws from many different authors, periods, countries, styles, and types of drama, from Shakespearean tragedy to contemporary farce to musicals. Student-directed productions enhance the annual cycle of productions.

University Program Council (UPC)

The purpose of the UPC is to arrange concerts, movies, and special entertainment events for students at Montevallo. Funded by the Student Government Association, the UPC is governed by students and is responsive to their needs for special programs.