Info for Registered Students

Welcome to the Summer Sessions at the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology (PLE) - we are delighted to have you join us! We have assembled a diverse collection of high-quality courses for the summer with outstanding instructors, superb teaching facilities, and a beautiful learning environment on the shores of Pymatuning Lake. Enroll in one, or join us for several, and be confident that you will satisfy your hunger for field experience, improve your resume, and help meet the requirements of your major.

To assist in making your stay go smoothly, we have put together this informational webpage. Information below includes everything you might want to know about how to find us, when to arrive, and what to expect during your time at PLE as well as a list of recommended items to bring with you.  If you have any questions concerning something not covered on our website, feel free to contact us. We look forward to your arrival!

Where is PLE located?

Please visit our Directions page to become familiar with where PLE is and how to get here!

Are the facilities nice, or will I be "roughing it"?

You can judge for yourself: Here is a video tour of one of our student dorms and you can see pictures of our facilities here.

Arrival information for commuters

If you plan to commute each day to PLE, please arrive at the Sanctuary Lake (classroom) Site between 8-9 AM the first day of class (always a Monday). At the PLE Main Office, you can register, pay for your textbooks, and pay the $185 lab fee (Pitt students will have paid this with their tuition bill). Payment may be made by check (made payable to the University of Pittsburgh) or cash only (sorry, no credit cards). Class attendance will be denied if fees are not paid.

Arrival information for residents

If you choose to take advantage of the opportunity to stay at PLE during your class, please arrive at the Housing Site between 4-6 PM the day before classes begin (always a Sunday). At this time, join the PLE staff in the Dining Hall where you can register and pay for your room & board, textbooks, and the $185 lab fee. If you cannot arrive during this time, please call us in advance to make other arrangements.

Room and Board Fees: The room & board fee for each 3-week session is $760 and must be paid at PLE upon arrival.  Payment may be made by check (made payable to the University of Pittsburgh) or cash only (sorry, no credit cards). Class attendance will be denied if fees are not paid.

Meals at PLE

Meal times:  Breakfast (7:30-8:30am, M-F) and dinner (6:00-7:00pm, M-Th) are served in the Dining Hall at the PLE Housing Site. Lunch (M-F) is packed during breakfast and taken with you.

Residents:  Meal charges are included in the room & board fee. You are welcome to stay the weekends. However, meals are NOT provided from Friday dinner through Sunday dinner. For these times, a refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffee maker and gas grill are provided for students use.

Commuters (optional):  Meals can be purchased in advance at the rates below through the PLE Secretary.

Prices are still TBD

Meal Daily Weekly Full session
Breakfast $10.00 $50.00 $150.00
Lunch $12.50 $62.50 $187.50
Dinner $12.50 $50.00 $150.00
Total (3 Meals) $35.00 $162.50 $487.50

Items that both commuters and residents should bring to class

Recommended Optional
Extra clothing Laptop computer
Rubber boots or old shoes Binoculars
Backpack Hat, sunglasses
Rain gear Insect repellant, sunscreen
Notebook, pens/pencils  
Reusable water bottle/coffee mug  

Please be aware that weather in the Pymatuning area can be unpredictable, especially in sessions 1 and 2. This is the single biggest complaint from PLE students: not being prepared for the weather. Plan your wardrobe to deal with both cold and hot weather, sometimes in the same day! This is accomplished by dressing in layers. Even later in summer, you will want to have long sleeve shirts and pants to protect against briars and biting insects during field work.

Items that residents should bring to PLE

Recommended Optional
Sheets (twin size) or sleeping bag Snacks/food for weekends
Blankets Cell phone
Pillow Flashlight
Toiletries, flip flops Laundry detergent
Towels  
Prescriptions  
Variety of clothes (for layering)  
Lunch bag (or use provided paper bags)  

Computer/Internet access

PLE has computers available for student use at our Sanctuary Lake Site Computer Lab as well as in our dorm facilities at the Housing Site.  PC's and Mac's are available for use as well as printers.  We encourage you to bring a USB flash drive to keep your files secure or to access your files using Onedrive or a similar cloud storage account.  Wireless internet is also available for you to use with your wireless devices (tablets, laptops, etc.). Pitt students sign onto PLE WIFI with their Pitt credentials. All other students are provided credentials prior to arrival.

Additional information for residents

Housing: You will likely be staying in either the White-tailed Deer (female) or Mountain Laurel Dorm (male), though students occasionally stay in researcher dorms if need dictates. The dorms each have 7 rooms. Each room contains furniture including two sets of bunk beds, two dressers, and closet space, a desk and chair. Each dorm has a shared bathroom/shower facility, a lounge area with a computer facility (including wireless internet connections throughout), couches, large refrigerator, and a microwave.

**Students who may have special housing needs are encouraged to contact PLE staff as early as possible to discuss options.  While our facilities have some limitations, our goal is to be as accommodating as possible for our guests**

Recreation:There is a Recreation Hall at the Housing Site that contains a DVD/Blue-Rayplayer, satellite TV with local station reception, ping-pong table, and pool table. Outdoor activities include a volleyball, football, soccer, horseshoes, biking (PLE has 4 bikes), boating (PLE has canoes and kayaks), and fishing (PA fishing license required). There are hiking/running trails adjacent to the housing site and many areas for bird watching. Swimming is allowed only at state-designated beaches. There is no swimming permitted at the PLE Housing Site.

Laundry: There is a laundry facility on site (free to residents; bring your own detergent).

Mail: Incoming mail for students will be handed to the student’s instructor for delivery. Outgoing mail can be dropped off in the administrative office. The Linesville Post Office is open from 9 AM-4:30 PM M-F; 9-11:30 AM Saturdays. To receive mail, the address is: Pymatuning Lab of Ecology, 13142 Hartstown Road, Linesville, PA 1642

PLE Student Guidelines

Last, but not least, every PLE student is asked to read, sign and agree to abide by the PLE Student Guidelines.  Take some time and make your self familiar with these guidelines before arriving.