Rock Solid Futures. . .
A Parent's Introduction to Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Your child deserves a Rock Solid Education!

Your child has dreamed about college for a long time.  For an even longer time you've been dreaming about it too, and working for it.  All that work should result in an education that is substantial, permanent, and practical:  A Rock Solid Education 

What is a Rock Solid Education?

More than 65 majors from which to choose

A liberal arts core curriculum that teaches creative thought and problem solving

An accomplished faculty.  Two-thirds of our professors hold doctorate degrees.

Personal attention in small classes.  Our average class size has less than 30 students.

A global perspective.  We offer opportunities to study abroad in more than 20 countries.

A large, lovely campus in the beautiful countryside of Western Pennsylvania, close to the employment and cultural opportunities of Pittsburgh and Cleveland

A fun campus environment, with more than 100 student organizations, intramural and club sports, and more than 250 cultural and entertainment activities on campus each year

Important Questions.  Rock Solid Answers. 

Are the facilities at Slippery Rock up-to-date?

In the last five years we've invested more than $40 million in new buildings and renovations to existing buildings to ensure that our facilities remain among the best in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education.

Where will my child live?

All freshmen are guaranteed on-campus housing.  The eight traditional residence halls at The Rock offer single and double bedroom units with communal kitchens, computer labs, and lounges.  Every room features phone service with voice mail, cable tv, and data ports for Internet access.  The suite-style ROCK Apartments are an option beginning in the sophomore year.  Of the eight residence halls at The Rock, one is for upperclassmen, while another is just for women.  One unique feature of Slippery Rock life is the dedicated community floors, where students who share an academic interest live together.  Community floors have included humanities and fine arts, education, technology, math and science, and ROTC.

Is Slippery Rock a safe campus?

We emphasize a caring community that results in an exceptionally safe campus.  As an added precaution, University Police officers patrol the campus around the clock and provide escorts.  All residence hall exterior doors are monitored electronically and require an ID card for entry.  Staff members who are trained to deal with emergency situations are on duty in each residence hall nightly.

What is there to do outside the classroom?

On campus there is a new recreation center, a student union with a sweet shop, a game room, a coffee bar, and a restaurant.  Special interest groups and the University Program Board fill our public spaces with all sorts of activities.  The town of Slippery Rock offers the usual diversions, like shopping, bowling, and restaurants.  The Rock is also close to two large state parks with year-round outdoor fun like biking, fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, skating, and skiing.

Will my child get support and guidance?

Yes.  Slippery Rock's First Year Studies Program (FYRST) eases the transition into college for all freshmen.  Students have an opportunity to participate in learning community clusters and freshmen seminars to ease their academic, social, and personal transitions, and they receive tutoring in most liberal arts freshmen-level courses.  FYRST advisors from every academic major also assist students in understanding degree program requirements.

What about health care needs?

Our McLaughlan Student Health Center is one of only four university health centers in Pennsylvania accredited by the Association for Ambulatory Health Care.  It is open 24 hours every day.  Staffing is by nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians, and routine exams are free and confidential.

When can we visit the campus?

Your whole family is welcome to visit Slippery Rock any weekday (and select Saturdays during the academic year).  We also offer special Saturday Visitation and Summer Showcase programs.  To arrange a campus visit, call 1-800-929-4778 or (724) 738 - 2015 or check out our campus visitation online.  

Can we afford Slippery Rock? 

As a university in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, our tuition is relatively low for Pennsylvania residents when compared to private colleges and some other state universities.  More than 80% of our undergraduate students receive financial aid.  Call our Financial Aid Office at (724) 738 - 2044 with any questions regarding the scholarship or financial aid process.