by Keegan Malan 

Do you have an interest in PUC, but still have some things you’d like to know about campus life, and life in the surrounding area? Then this is the place for you. Here are the answers to some questions you’re sure to have about life at PUC. 

What’s The Weather Like?

PUC’s weather ranges from mild to moderate, but rarely does it get the full brunt of extremes in any season you will be on campus. There are occasional frosts during winter, but no snow, and you never feel it inside your residence hall. During spring, it doesn’t get close to 100 degrees, though you may want to bring a fan all the same. The rainy season lasts through winter to early spring before tapering off around late April, and that’s when allergy season arrives, so you might want to bring some anti-allergy medicine. Other than that, there’s nothing to worry about. 

How Far Is Everything From Campus?

From campus to the nearest town, St. Helena, is about a 12-minute drive down into the Napa Valley. If you want to venture to Napa, it is about a 40-minute drive, and you should avoid the hours of 2 to 4:30 unless you want to be caught in some rather thick traffic. San Francisco is 1 hour and 50 minutes to 2 hours, with heavy traffic from 7:30 to 8 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., especially around the Bay Bridge. If you care to head toward Sacramento, it’s only 1 hour and 40 minutes to get there, with the same time for thick traffic as SF, though not nearly as bad. The weekends for both cities are not as bad, traffic-wise, as during the week, of course, but it can still get rather congested on the way in and out, so schedule your arrival and departure accordingly. 

How Safe is Campus?

Very safe. There is a campus security patrol 24/7, which you will see throughout the day. Angwin is a very safe place, partly due to its location on Howell Mountain; there are little to no opportunities for anything dangerous to happen. 

But what about fires, you may ask. That’s a good question, and it’s necessary given the area’s reputation for fires. Within five minutes of campus, there are a pair of fire stations, and if you want to venture a bit further, there is a third, but eight minutes away. In any case, if a fire were to break out, action would be taken immediately. Students will receive both an email and a text, keeping them updated on the status of the fire, and should that fire worsen, they will not only receive a text and email, but the campus alarm will sound, which no one would be able to miss, giving ample warning and instructions on what they need to do next. 

What’s Social Life Like On Campus?

There are many campus clubs, sometimes multiple for each department. Many people join a club for the experience of being in a group of like-minded individuals with shared interests. Some even form their own clubs, which is possible if none of the available ones catches your eye, and you have enough people to join up with you.

 Besides clubs, there are plenty of intramurals, from the typical basketball and volleyball to unusual ones like spikeball. You can form a team consisting of fellow students and even teachers if that’s what you want. Activities abound throughout the school year, with fall and spring quarters offering the most, so you will find no shortage of events you might want to participate in, such as Fall Festival, or kayaking at Lake Berryessa, and many more fun things. 

We hope these answers have been helpful, and you know a little bit more about PUC. There’s plenty of fun to be had and things to see without worry. When you’re here, your family. Enjoy those benefits, and do your best, and you will go far.