PNCA : studentlife : services

Student Services

At PNCA, students get to know one another quickly through new student orientation, small classes, and exhibition openings. Student body representatives meet weekly to discuss student needs and to organize all-school events. Other groups develop out of specific student interest, such as the Foreign Language club that meets weekly to practice speaking in other languages to each other.

Weekly yoga classes and Life Drawing sessions are free and open to interested PNCA community members. Many student-initiated clubs thrive at PNCA. The list is always evolving but, some of the re-occurring and lasting clubs include:

Printmaking club
Hiking club
Sewing club
Queer Union
Radio PNCA
Submit Magazine
Ukulele Society

Also, in order to maintain and enhance the quality of student life at PNCA, Student Services provides varied support to assist students in completing their degrees. Specifically, Student Services provides:

Student housing coordination
Liaison with Student leadership
Counseling and advising on transition issues and student life concerns
Accommodations for students with special needs
Orientation to PNCA and the larger Portland area
Jean W. Stahl Emergency Loans for short-term cash flow assistance
Assist with co-curricular services and activities
Liaison with student health insurance
Informative and helpful publications, such as the Student Resource Book, on-line Student Handbook, and the Guide to Housing.

Academic Advising

The Academic Advising Office guides students through PNCA’s academic policies and curriculum requirements. Each student is encouraged to meet with the Academic Advisor at least once each semester. The Advisor’s role includes:

Assisting students in selecting the appropriate classes
Helping students progress toward degree completion
Monitoring student progress toward degree completion
Counseling students about educational options

The ACE Center — Academic Center of Excellence

Students having difficulty with writing, reading, math, or science assignments can come to The ACE for individual help on a drop-in basis. The ACE also provides help with thesis writing, job and grant applications, proofreading, research, preliminary and final paper editing and general academic support wherever needed. The ACE is located in the Commons every weekday during the lunch hour and online.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Among the student services provided by PNCA are services for students with physical, mental health, and/or learning disabilities. Federal law requires that schools receiving federal funds provide “reasonable accommodations’ for students with disabilities that give them an equal opportunity to succeed in their academic endeavors. If you have — or believe you may have — disability, please speak with Dean of Student Services, Michael Hall, 503-821-8925 or Assistant Director of Student Services, Rachael Allen, 503-821-8925.