Social well-being is our awareness and contribution to the betterment of society through positive relationships with friends, colleagues, family, the community, and surrounding environments. It involves the development of interpersonal skills, engagement in social circles, building of support systems, and maintaining safe and suitable living conditions.
5 Tips for Social Well-Being
- Cultivate positive and healthy relationships with friends, family, professors, and staff.
- Plan or attend a social gathering with a group of friends.
- Join a new club or organization on campus.
- Try out a new activity or start a new hobby.
- Volunteer for a cause that is important to you.
Campus Resources for Social Well-Being
- Campus Recreation
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Campus Recreation helps members of the Pitt community lead active, balanced lives by providing endless opportunities to enhance physical health and wellness. Whether you’re into competitive sports, group exercise, or solo workout sessions, Campus Recreation will work with you to achieve your fitness goals.
- Commuter Student Programs
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Commuter Student Programs supports off-campus students, those who live in the Pittsburgh area, as well as those who commute to campus. We recognize mastering how to navigate from home to campus is only a small part of commuting. We strive to foster a sense of community and personal growth among commuter students while providing resources, mentorship, and advocacy to assist students in becoming more actively involved on Pitt’s campus.
- Cross Cultural and Leadership Development
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The Office of Cross Cultural and Leadership Development (CCLD) is located on the 6th floor of the William Pitt Union and is a hub of campus activity. CCLD advises some of the most active student organizations on campus, provides leadership development opportunities, and offers dynamic programming in the areas of diversity and culture, social justice, and Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Opportunities and Groups Within CCLD
- Fraternity and Sorority Life
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The University of Pittsburgh is home to the Interfraternity Council, Collegiate Panhellenic Association, and National Pan-Hellenic Council. As a Tri-Council, they have just over 2,400 members who succeed in the classroom, in the community, and among their peers. Each organization has its individual attributes, but the Tri-Council is committed to academics, service, and diversity and inclusion.
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life aims to enhance the intellectual, personal and social development of students in Greek-letter organizations in harmony with the mission of the University. We invite you to learn more about our community, because we need great leaders to move our community forward.
- Living Learning Communities
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Living Learning Communities (LLCs) are specialized living environments that connect students inside- and outside-the-classroom experiences. Each LLC is unique, but all are centered on a distinctive theme or academic interest area. Students who choose to live in an LLC have a direct connection to their classroom experience, access to intentional events and programs, and dedicated staff members who work to make the community a success.
- New Student Programs
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The Office of New Student Programs is responsible for creating a welcoming and engaging community for new students at Pitt. Through their programs and services, New Student Programs helps to ease students' transition by providing opportunities to forge new friendships and feel at home.
Meet the New Student Ambassadors, view new student information, or join the first-year student book club.
- Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC)
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The Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) is a collection of experiences, programs, and events at Pitt that help students to make the most of their collegiate experience. Open to all Pitt students, regardless of major or career path, the OCC helps students develop highly desirable character traits and life skills. Download the Suitable mobile app to start tracking your experiences!
- Pitt Program Council
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Pitt Program Council is a student-run activities board. They offer a wide variety of entertainment, social, and educational events.
- Reaching Inside Your Soul for Excellence (RISE)
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The Reaching Inside Your Soul for Excellence (RISE) program helps students get acclimated to the campus and help develop necessary skills needed to succeed at the University of Pittsburgh. Students in the program receive a mentor that will work with them to take responsibility of their future, make meaningful connections, and much more during their time at Pitt.
- Student Affairs Calendar
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The Division of Student Affairs is made up of many offices including PITT ARTS, Student Life, and much more! Browse the Student Affairs Calendar to find events that interest you.
- Student Government Board
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The purpose of the University of Pittsburgh Student Government Board is to promote the concerns, interests, needs, and welfare of the student body of the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh campus by:
- Initiating, developing, and maintaining programs and services that meet the academic, socioeconomic and personal needs and interests of the student body.
- Stimulating and facilitating communication and interaction between the members of the student body and University Community.
- Allocating the Student Activities Fee in a fair and equitable manner and utilizing these funds in order to fulfill the above functions.
- Student Organizations
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With over 600 registered student organizations, students are sure to find one (or a few) that interest them. Browse the Student Organization Directory.
- Student Unions
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The William Pitt Union and the O'Hara Student Center are both hubs for student life and activity. Attend events, reserve rooms, and spend time with friends in the student unions. The William Pitt Union houses most of the Division of Student Affairs including Nordy's Place!
- Transfer Student Programs
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Transfer Student Programs helps ease the transition to campus and connect students with resources and programs. Throughout the fall and spring semester the New Student Ambassadors and the Office of New Student Programs will plan and promote events and opportunities for transfer students to get involved and experience campus.
- TRIO Student Support Services
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TRIO SSS aims to create an inclusive community for students to activate success by working together toward excellence. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, SSS has been at the University of Pittsburgh since 1972 and is one of more than 900 TRIO SSS programs across the country. These programs provide academic, social, and cultural support to first generation (defined as parents or guardian not graduating from a four-year institution) and/or low-income college students. Housed in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, SSS is a program for all undergraduates, regardless of school or major.
Explore Social Well-Being Resources at Pitt-Bradford
Explore Social Well-Being Resources at Pitt-Greensburg
Explore Social Well-Being Resources at Pitt-Johnstown
Sources:
1Hettler (1976), Mayol (2012), Mayol et al. (2017), Roscoe (2009), and Swarbrick (2012).