Monthly Archives: August 2023

Checklist Before Arriving To PUC

Leave a reply

With a month until school starts, make sure you have school business completed. Here is a checklist of things to get done before arriving at PUC. It’s good to take care of these things now rather than on campus, so you have less to worry about and have more time for other things. 

Complete Financial Aid

In order to register for classes and start dorm plans, you must pay the $200 enrollment fee. You can pay online or by calling our finance office at 707-965-7200. From there, you’ll discuss your financial aid with your financial counselor and complete any forms needed. To contact your financial counselor, call them at (707) 965-7200 or email studentfinance@puc.edu. Make sure you have your financial plan completed before leaving for school.

Register for Classes

Once you have paid the enrollment fee, register for classes. Don’t wait until September to register! Secure your spot in those classes and register as soon as possible. If you need assistance on which classes to register for, contact your academic advisor or have your admissions counselor connect you to them. 

You can also check your program course online. If you’re undecided, don’t worry! With over 70 programs and degrees at PUC, you will find the right one for you.

Reserve Textbooks

If you’re ready to get your textbooks, you can reserve and pre-order them at PUC’s bookstore. When you pick them up, they’ll be ready for you and you won’t have to take time looking for them or being on a waitlist. 

Submit Housing Form 

Submit the housing form to reserve a dorm room. If you are planning to live off-campus, you still have to fill out a form depending on your housing situation. 

Contact Your Roommate 

After you have a room set, contact your roommate. Check-in to see what room essentials they’re bringing, so you don’t have doubles or if there’s anything you two should split. If you haven’t met your roommate, get to know them and see if you’ll be compatible to live together. 

Send Medical Forms 

Make sure to send your physical and TB forms from the last year to our health services. If you haven’t seen your doctor, make an appointment and ask them to send or print your examination forms. To contact the health services, call (707) 965-6339 or email healthservices@puc.edu. Make sure they receive everything needed so you don’t have to worry about it when you’re on campus.

Register Your Vehicle 

If you are planning to bring a car on campus, you have to register it since all cars require a parking permit. The public safety office will need your information, such as your driver’s license, and your vehicle registration and insurance. Once this is completed, all you’ll have to do is pick up your parking sticker at their office and you’re good to go. 

Remember Your Orientation Date 

If you will be a new student this fall, orientation is September 22-25. You will begin your PUC experience by learning the ins and outs of campus, meeting people, and settling into your dorm room. Our orientation team will assist you with anything you need help with and have activities planned. You’re going to have a lot of fun! 

Come With An Open Mind 

If you’re nervous about starting college, that’s totally normal! You will soon begin this next chapter in your life, and college is filled with possibilities. There are so many things to do, see, and learn at PUC, so come with an open mind. 

Enjoy the rest of your summer and we can’t wait to see you at PUC!

Meet Timothy Robertson: Assistant Professor of Data Science

Leave a reply

Coming from Southwest Michigan is Timothy Robertson, PUC’s assistant professor of data science. When he was given the chance to work at PUC, it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. Since January, Timothy has been teaching data science, machine learning, statistics and mathematics, and advises students.

Do you have a favorite class to teach?

My favorite classes to teach are Calculus I & II because they involve thinking about abstract concepts that have very practical applications.

What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers family? 

My favorite thing about being a Pioneer is making connections with the students and faculty. It is much easier to get to know people at PUC than at larger schools I’ve been at.

Do you have a favorite place to eat in the Napa Valley? 

I prefer home cooked meals over restaurant meals, so any place I can get a home cooked meal is my favorite place to eat.

What would students be surprised to find out about you? 

I won five intramural racquetball titles during graduate school.

How are you spending your summer break? 

Summer break is when I work on my personal projects that were undone during the school year, spending time with friends and family, and relaxing.

Where is your dream vacation? 

Visiting a volcano is my dream vacation. I’ve seen a number of geographies across the USA, but volcanoes are still on my bucket list.

Finish this sentence: On Sunday mornings you can find me… 
On Sunday mornings you can find me either at the gym training or sleeping.

Six Things Worth Investing In College 

Leave a reply

Shopping for college can be fun but can get overwhelming. For those of you preparing for college, there are a few things you should really invest your money into that will be beneficial throughout your college career. 

A Laptop or Tablet

Having a laptop or tablet with you at school is a must because it’s useful for your education. They obviously don’t come cheap, but some stores offer student discounts or deals, so make sure you ask about them when you’re finding the best laptop or tablet. 

A Fridge 

Before buying a fridge, check with your roommate if they’re bringing one and are okay with sharing. Although it would be nice to have two refrigerators, you want to use as much room space as for your other things. Just like a laptop and tablet, you want a fridge that will last throughout college. 

Durable Backpack or Bag

A durable backpack or bag will make a difference between going to and from classes- from carrying your books and supplies to handling any weather- buying a long-lasting backpack will help you save money from needing a new one later.

Bedding

It’s a must to make your bed as comfy as possible as you move away from home and are in a new environment. It’ll help you feel more at home and soothe you to sleep, which you very much need. (If you already have bedding at home you can use for your dorm room, great!)

Sneakers 

Buy a pair of comfortable sneakers that can handle any season and last the entire school year since you will be walking all over campus. Shoes don’t come cheap, and having a pair of sneakers that fit these categories and is versatile will save you money.

Yourself 

Most importantly, never stop investing in yourself. Keep growing, learning, and evolving into the person you want to become. 

PUC’s 2022-23 Staff Member of the Year: Chris Vance

Leave a reply

This past school year was the first time the human resources department at Pacific Union College recognized a staff member of the year. They planned to start this award in 2020 but got off track when COVID hit. In May, Chris Vance, information technology support services operations manager, was named Staff Member of the Year. He was honored during an award ceremony for his tremendous work overseeing and handling the campus’ information technology systems. One of Vance’s strengths is his amazing communication skills– all while juggling responsibilities with different departments and offices. There is no doubt this award is well-deserved.

What brought you to PUC? Why did you decide to work here?  

I crept in the door as a temp when the old analog phone system took a detour to doom. Before that, I performed audio design. However, most of the local sound jobs churned out promotional material. I became miffed that all the work I performed was for content designed to interrupt the shows people wished to view. Computer technology has always tugged my interest; the temp position morphed into a full-time client support job. I decided to convert audio work into a hobby and make a career in IT at that point.

Describe your typical work day. 

I brew up a loose schedule in my head when I amble toward work each day. That plan rarely survives the first half hour. Variety exudes from this type of IT work. A certain allure exists to avoiding daily routine. I am always delving into new projects and support requests requiring that I accomplish something altogether new. The helpdesk requests tend to form avalanches, too. This leads to a jolly match of ping pong where I am the ball. Fortunately, I am dense enough to shrug off the back-and-forth.

What is your favorite thing about your job? 

Evicting gremlins and smiting bugs brings catharsis. That said, I most enjoy concocting workarounds to bizarre problems with the team down here in IT.

You were named this year’s staff member of the year. What does this recognition mean to you? 

It means I roused from my root cellar often enough to be noticed by the denizens of the overworld. Sassy quips aside, it feels great to have my efforts seen and recognized. I am far from alone in those accomplishments, as we have all had a taxing year. 

What is your favorite thing about PUC? 

The faculty, staff, students, and community are bodacious. IT work engenders and intertwines with stressful situations. This leads to wailing, gnashing of teeth, and rending of hair in many businesses. However, in all my years working here, no one has barged down the stairs to my office, spoiling for a fight. 

What are your hobbies? 

I enjoy reading, writing, music, video games, baking, and canning.

What is something you do or want to do that might surprise people? 

I am in a band where I play saxophone and cello. 

Where is your favorite place to eat in the Napa Valley? 

The Azteca Market holds the position of prominence, as it is the traditional film major hangout. I spent many a pre-production meeting on the metal patio furniture adorning that place.