Class Schedule

What is Pinellas Citizen University?

• Imagine trying to plan a hurricane evacuation in the face of an approaching storm.
• Listen in on the drama of real 911 calls.
• Try balancing a $1.9 billion county budget.
• Get your hands on the latest survey equipment and try planning a highway.
• Sit in the grand jury room, and talk to those leaders within our criminal court system.

PCU students don’t just sit in a classroom. They are active participants experiencing the same type of challenges that affect county staff every day. Each week promises a new challenge as classes are held at the various county facilities.

PCU students learn not just the details, but become acquainted on the rationale behind the decision-making.

PCU semesters are offered once a year. Classes meet Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuition for PCU is $30, which includes a class shirt, all course materials, graduation ceremony and diploma. By limiting the class size, each student gains the full benefit of each field trip and exercise.

PCU students should be residents of Pinellas County and at least 18 years old. Enrollees are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis based on submission of a completed application and a tuition check for $30. Each class is limited to allow all class members to fully participate in field demonstrations and exercises.

The $30 tuition cost covers course materials (notebooks, class handouts, etc.), a PCU class shirt, diploma, picnic and graduation ceremony.

PCU students need 180 credits to graduate, 200 credits to graduate with Honors and 220 credits to graduate on the Dean’s List.

180 credits can be earned through a perfect attendance record (20 credits per session – 9 classes, excluding graduation).

Active students lead busy lives, and we realize circumstances will sometimes interfere with class attendance. That’s why we’ve built in a credit system to allow students to participate in extracurricular activities to replace credits lost by an absence, or to serve as extra credit.

Class Attendance: 20 credits (180 credits for perfect attendance) Sheriff’s Office/Code enforcement/EMS Ride Along: 10 credits Attending a Board of County Commissioners meeting: 10 credits Volunteering at a county-sponsored event: 5 credits

180 Credits = Graduation
200 Credits = Graduate with Honors
220 Credits = Dean’s List

Each semester offers ten weeks of intensive leadership activities in key county departments.

2008 Schedule

PCU 2008 Schedule
Week One—Where It Begins 6:30 – 9:30 pm Welcome to new students Introduction of class participants Emergency Management Emergency Communications/9-1-1	Apr 3
Week Two—First Response 6:30 – 9:30 pm Animal Services Sunstar	Apr 10
Week Three—The Private Side of Public Works 6:30 – 9:30 pm Engineering Survey Facility Tour	Apr 17
Week Four—Justice Served 6:30 – 9:00 pm Sheriff State Attorney Circuit Court Judge Public Defender	Apr 24
Week Five—The Utility Package 6:30 – 9:30 pm Cross Bayou Visit Utilities Overview	May 1
Week Six—Bringing it Under Budget 6:30 – 9:30 pm Discussion of issues with County Administrator Budget overview and Exercise	May 8
Week Seven—Internal Services 6:30 – 9:30 pm Fleet Overview Tour of Fleet garage (HS representative on Mobile Medical Unit) Nomination of Class President	May 15
Week Eight—Get out of Jail Free 6:00 – 9:30 pm Tour of the Pinellas County Jail	May 22
Week Nine—A Natural Attraction 9:30 AM - Noon Tour of Weedon Island Ed Center Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater Presentation Environmental Management Presentation Election of Class President Picnic lunch	May 31
Week Ten—A Proud Graduation 6:30 – 9:00 pm Graduation hosted by Commission Chairman Class Picture Tour of Pinellas County Connection Television Class reception	Jun 5