Category Archives: Announcements

Announcements, Events / Programs

Room Selection Info Session

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Come one, come all! It’s time to start thinking about where you want to live during the 2020-2021 school year. If you are unsure of how to prepare for room selection then join us for the Room Selection Info Session! Here you can get tutorials and help from the Department of Housing and Residential Programs as well as the RAs in the room selection process.  If you need a few pointers for how to prepare then stop on by.

Even if you don’t think you need help you can still join us! We will be having games, treats and a photo booth for all those who come. Who knows maybe you will think of questions while spending time hearing about the room selection process or other people’s questions.

There will be some big prizes such as, entering to win a $200 waiver on your housing deposit or Early Room Selection!

The Room Selection Info Session will be from 6 pm – 8 pm on February 5th. It will be held in South Village’s Great Room.

We hope to see you all there!

Announcements, Lifestyle / Hall Life, Lists

Spring 2020 Is Coming Soon!

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It is almost time for the Spring 2020 semester to start! Residence halls will open January 19th at 12 pm for those of you who live on campus and classes will start on January 21st. This may not seem like a lot, but trust me it can be overwhelming. It’s tough to get back to campus and only have one day to settle back into dorm life. However, there are a few life hacks you can try to make this time of the semester less stressful.

  1. BUY YOUR TEXTBOOKS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE:

It is important to be prepared for your classes and most of your professors are going to want you to have them right away. If you end up not needing them it can’t hurt to return them.

2. GET YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES:

This goes along with number one. Some professors like to get started right away. Make sure you have your notebooks and writing utensils on hand, just in case.

3. TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR PAPERWORK:

Make sure your tuition is paid! You don’t want the added stress of finding out that you still owe money for your tuition. Also any kind of paperwork that needs to be done should be done as soon as possible. This may include, but not limited too, major or minor forms or graduation application.

4. GIVE SOME OF YOUR TIME TO YOUR TEXTBOOKS:

If you read the introduction of your textbook before you get to class you will have a better understanding of what your semester is going to look like. Similar to numbers one and two, this will help you be prepared for the first day of class.

5. GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO DO NOTHING:

Before the semester starts, make sure that you give yourself a little break. The holidays can be stressful and soon after the semester starts. It is important that you have some time to not worry. Some things to get your mind off of everything are:

  • Reading a good book
  • Watching a movie or TV show
  • Spending time with a few friends or family

It’s easy to get overwhelmed at the beginning of the semester with everything you have to do. Try not to add to your stress by not being prepared for classes and procrastinating on important paperwork. By following these steps the start of the spring semester will go smoothly.

All Photos From Canva

Announcements, Policies & Procedures

Millersville University Residence Hall Winter Break 2019-20 Bulletin

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The residence halls will close for the Winter break with residents expected to exit the residence halls as follows:  Residents not actively engaged and mandated to be present for commencement activities are expected to exit the residence hall by Noon on Saturday, December 14, 2019.  Residents actively engaged in commencement activities are expected to exit the residence hall no later than closing at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2019.  Residents who need to stay in residence overnight on Saturday, December 14, 2019 must contact the Residence Area Director of your assigned building to make this arrangement.  This includes those who are actively engaged in commencement activity.

Winter Break housing will start at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2019.  The residence halls will be closed during the Winter Break. Resident Students who are continuing in the residence halls to spring 2020, and who have an approved reason for requesting Winter Break Housing may request break housing for all or portions of the Winter Break by completing the MyHousing registration for Winter Break Housing through the MAX account no later than Noon on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.  This includes requests for both the December and January portions of the Winter Break.  All Winter Break Housing is in the regular residence halls.  If you are requesting Winter Break housing and you have scheduled a room change for the spring semester, you must complete the room change before the start of the break.  Please see your Residence Area Director to make that arrangement.  If you are not scheduled to live in the residence halls for the spring semester you are not eligible to request housing during the winter break.

To request Winter Break Housing please follow these instructions:

  1. Open MAX (for best results please use Google Chrome, or Firefox, do not use Internet Explorer).
  2. Log into your My-Housing account.
  3. Select Application from the menu in black and then choose Break Housing 2019 on the drop-down menu.
    • You may get a message that says “Records indicate that you submitted this application on (date) at (time), what would you like to do with this application?”
    • From the drop-down menu select “Revisit/Update This Application” and press submit.
    • Select Winter Break.
  4. Complete the required information.
  5. You must select a reason for requesting break housing from the drop-down menu.  If you select other, you must explain it in the next box. Be brief.
  6. Select “Continue” to submit your application.
  7. You only need to request Winter Break Housing if you need to continue your housing during any portion of the break period – Sunday, December 15, 2019, 6:00 p.m., through Sunday, January 19, 2020, Noon.

The Residence Hall Staff will conduct Health and Safety Inspections in each residence hall suite at the start of the Winter break. Please carefully review the following instructions and information to avoid violations of the Student Code of Conduct for improper maintenance of your residence hall suite/room.

Winter Break Housing Information:

  • The residence halls will be closed during Winter break except for returning residents who have requested winter break housing.
  • Card access for all resident students will be discontinued during the Winter break.  Only returning residents who have requested Winter break housing will have card access privileges.
  • Guests and Visitation are not permitted during the break.
  • All University Administrative Offices will close for the holidays after Noon Tuesday, December 24, 2019 until 8:00 a.m. Thursday, January 2, 2020. Residence Hall Offices will have limited hours of operation during the break – see front desk for contact information.
  • See Dining Services and Health Services websites for hours of operation.
  • SMC Desk will close for the holidays Noon- December 24 to Noon December 26, 2019, and Noon December 31, 2019 to 7:00 a.m. January 2, 2020.
  • For non-urgent police and campus calls during holiday closing times dial (717) 871-4357.  Fire, Police and EMS Emergencies dial 911 at all times.
  • Students assigned to continue housing in the residence halls for spring 2020 are not required to surrender residence hall keys to the staff prior to leaving for the break.
  • The Housekeeping and Facilities Management Staff will be working in the campus residence halls to perform maintenance tasks during the break that may require entrance to resident rooms.  The Housing Staff may post a courtesy sign on your door indicating that the room is occupied during the Winter break.  This sign will ensure that workers will not enter your room without knocking.  Please leave it in place for the duration of the Winter break.
  • All students assigned to the residence hall for fall 2019 are assigned to continue in the residence halls for spring 2020 unless: you have filed an official withdrawal from the University, filed and been approval for an official leave of absence for spring 2020, filed for leave of absence due to call to active military service for spring 2020, filed or been approved for study abroad for spring 2020, are a current study abroad visa international student not returning for the spring 2020 semester.  All of these circumstances require that you are not registered for classes at Millersville University for spring 2020.

Winter Break Preparation Procedures:
Prior to the start of the break, all resident students MUST:

  • Dispose of all trash by removing it to the dumpster in the parking lots outside your residence hall.
  • Clean the room/suite including sweeping the floor and wiping down furniture.
  • Clean your bathroom and report any issues with constant run toilets, sinks, showers to the residence hall staff.
  • Remove food from your refrigerator and properly dispose of it through proper trash removal.
  • Defrost your refrigerator.
  • If you are leaving for the break, turn off the lights.
  • If you are leaving for the break, set the thermostat to 70 degrees.
  • If you are leaving for the break, close and lock your room window (Villages).
  • If you are leaving for the break, lower the blinds halfway but leave them open.
  • If you are leaving for the break, lock your bedroom door and your suite door.
  • If you are leaving for the break please move all items from your residence hall floor, especially computer equipment and any items that can be damaged by flooding.
  • If you are leaving for the break and you have a Learning Services approved animal in your room, you must take the animal with you.  You may not leave animals in the residence hall in the care of another student or staff member.
Announcements, Resources, Room Selection

Planning is Suite!

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On December 4, 2019, Housing and Residential Programs teamed up with PSECU to help current residents start budgeting to pay for their housing deposit and residence hall expenses for the 2020-2021 school year. Current residents who stopped by the table in the SMC were able to win a free 43″ Samsung TV or one of five housing deposit waivers.

Students unfamiliar with paying the housing deposit were also given instructions on where to pay the non-refundable deposit within their MAX account. On the Main Menu, students will click on the Housing Deposit link towards the bottom of the page.

(The student view of MAX will look a little different, but the Housing Deposit link is still the second from the bottom.)

Students will have the option of paying with a credit card or an electronic check.

The non-refundable housing deposit guarantees a room for Fall 2020, but it is applied to the Spring 2021 bill. Simply, your Spring 2021 housing bill will be $200 less than your Fall 2020 bill because you’ve already paid the $200 the prior Spring.

64 residents stopped by the table and entered the drawing. Yalina Ramos was the lucky winner of the free TV! Congrats!

Announcements, Policies & Procedures

Millersville University Residence Hall Thanksgiving Break 2019 Bulletin

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The Thanksgiving break will start at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27, 2019.  The residence halls will remain open for occupancy during the Thanksgiving break with a modified office hours schedule, but we ask resident students to register an intention to stay on campus during the Thanksgiving break (this includes those residents requesting to leave late and / or returning early) no later than 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2019. This registration is for Thanksgiving break only. There is no additional cost to stay over the Thanksgiving break. Please register subsequent breaks separately as the portal becomes available for each break period. 

Follow these instructions:

  1. Open MAX (for best results, please use Google Chrome, or Firefox, do not use Internet Explorer).
  2. Log into your My-Housing account.
  3. Select Application from the menu in black and then choose Break Housing Thanksgiving 2019 on the drop-down menu.
  4. Complete the required information.
  5. You must select a reason for requesting break housing from the drop-down menu.  If you select other, you must explain it in the next box.
  6. Select “Continue” to submit your application.

The Residence Hall Staff may conduct Health and Safety Inspections in each residence hall suite at the start of the Thanksgiving break. Please carefully review the following instructions and information to avoid violations of the Student Code of Conduct for improper maintenance of your residence hall suite/room.

Thanksgiving Break Housing Information:

  • The residence halls will be operational during Thanksgiving break.
  • All University Administrative Offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28, 2019 and Friday, November 29, 2019.
  • Guests and Visitation are not permitted during the break.
  • Residence Hall Offices will have limited hours of operation during the break – see front desk for contact information.
  • See Dining Services and Health Services web sites for hours of operation.
  • The SMC Desk will be closed from 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 27, 2019 until Noon Friday, November 29, 2019
  • Non-urgent police and campus calls dial (717) 871-4357.  Emergencies dial 911.
  • Students are not required to surrender residence hall keys to the staff prior to leaving for the break.
  • The Housekeeping and Facilities Management Staffs may be working in the campus residence halls to perform maintenance tasks during the break that require entrance to resident rooms.  The Housing Staff may post a courtesy sign on your door indicating that the room is occupied.  This sign will ensure that workers will not enter your room without knocking.  Please leave it in place for the duration of the break.

Thanksgiving Break Preparation Procedures:

Prior to the start of the break, all resident students MUST:

  • Dispose of all trash by removing it to the dumpster in the parking lots outside your residence hall.
  • Clean your room/suite, including sweeping the floor and wiping down furniture.
  • Clean your bathroom and report any issues with constant run toilets, sinks, and showers to the residence hall staff.
  • Remove stale food from your refrigerator and properly dispose of it through proper trash removal.
  • If you are leaving for the break, turn off the lights.
  • If you are leaving for the break, set the thermostat to 70 degrees.
  • If you are leaving for the break, close and lock your room window (Villages).
  • If you are leaving for the break, lower the blinds halfway, but leave them open.
  • If you are leaving for the break, lock your bedroom door and your suite door.
  • If you are leaving for the break, please move all items from your residence hall floor, especially computer equipment and any items that can be damaged by flooding.
  • If you are leaving for the break and you have a Learning Services approved animal in your room, you MUST take the animal with you.  You MAY NOT leave animals in the residence hall in the care of another student or staff member.

Image courtesy of Pexels.

Announcements, Lifestyle / Hall Life

2020-2021 Resident Assistant Information Sessions

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Interested in becoming a Resident Assistant for the 2020–2021 school year? You must attend one info session, and you have 3 more chances of attending one!

At these info sessions, Residential Area Directors will be leading the meetings, and you’ll learn what being an RA has to offer both personally and professionally. There will also be a panel of current RAs who will be available for any questions regarding the job description of an RA.

The Resident Assistant application will open November 25, 2019, and the interview process will begin in February of Spring 2020.

Announcements

Meet the Resident Assistants — Sarah Hagen

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Meet your RA: Sarah Hagen, Shenks Hall

  • Name/Year/Hometown/Major(s) and Minor(s)
      • Sarah Hagen / Senior / Enola, PA / Social Work major, Psychology minor
  • Do you have any hobbies?
      • I love spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling, and anything involving music or art.
  • Why did you want to become an RA?
      • I wanted to become an RA to gain leadership experience and have an opportunity to get to know people and be more involved in the Millersville community.
  • What is the most valuable part of being an RA?
      • I think it’s really valuable to be in a position where I have the opportunity to help fellow students make more of their time at Millersville. Whether it’s working out a roommate conflict, helping learn more about available resources, or just talking about how their week is going, I really value being able to have a role in creating a positive experience for my residents.
  • What is your favorite program you held for your residents?
      • Probably the finger painting one I held at the beginning of this semester! There was an excellent turnout, and everyone seemed to have a really good time. It was a great opportunity for people to take a break and relax doing something fun and meet other people in the building, and it was really neat to see how creative people got with it.
  • What do you hope your residents get out of you being their RA?
      • I hope that I can be a source of encouragement and support.
  • Do you have any valuable tips or tricks that you have learned from your time here at MU to pass on to other students?
      • Don’t worry about what other people are doing. Everyone in college is having a different experience and takes a different path to reach their goals. Focusing on what other people are doing makes it too easy to lose sight of your own progress, and you don’t want to do that! Figure out what system works for you, and don’t be afraid to do some trial and error. And reach out — there are so many people here who are willing to help you with whatever you might be struggling with if you speak up.
  • What is your favorite part of living in the residence halls?
      • I like how many people it’s allowed me to meet who I might not have otherwise and how easy it is to get involved.
  • Why did you choose to come to Millersville?
      • When I visited, I fell in love with the campus and immediately felt at home. I felt like there was a strong sense of community here and wanted to be able to be a part of it.
  • What is your favorite class you have taken at Millersville?
      • Perspectives on Poverty with Dr. Frank. This class was so eye-opening and really solidified that I wanted to be working in social work.
  • Do you have any upcoming events?
      • Yes! I have an event called Think Pink tonight (10/29). Residents will be able to stop by and write notes of encouragement to be sent to Girls Love Mail, which is an organization working to provide handwritten letters to women who have recently received a breast cancer diagnosis.
Announcements

Campus Resident Television Cable & Entertainment Streaming Survey

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The Department of Housing & Residential Programs is seeking survey data on the television cable and entertainment streaming habits of our residents. All residents who complete the short survey will be entered in a raffle to win one of two $35.00 gift cards for the University Store. 

Please click on the following link to take the survey:

https://bit.ly/2MTWF5u

The survey will close on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 4:30 PM and two winners will be chosen at random for the gift cards. The two winners will be notified by email.

*** Photo courtesy of FreeImages.com

Announcements, Lifestyle / Hall Life

How to Stay Safe in and Around the Residence Halls

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With daylight saving time coming to a close soon and days being darker longer, it’s essential to stay alert and safe on campus and around the residence halls. Here are some tips to keep yourself and your belongings safe this fall and winter.

Lock your doors.
Even when you’re in your room, you should lock your doors. It only takes a few seconds to enter an unlocked room and take books, cash, laptops, etc. If someone knocks on your door, look through the peephole before opening the door.

Carry your key and ID.
Keeping your ID and room key on your person ensures your room and valuables stay safe. Never give your ID or room key to someone else, and return lost IDs to the campus ID Office located in Boyer.

Sign in guests.
Don’t let people tailgate into the residence halls. If you think someone has entered the residence halls without a resident, contact the Resident Assistant on duty. Always accompany your guests throughout their stay in the residence halls, and be sure to sign them in and out of the building with the Desk Assistant or RA at the desk.

Keep your valuables secure.
Don’t leave backpacks, books, laptops, or other valuables unattended in public or in your unlocked room. This includes large amounts of cash. Keep your money in the bank and withdraw it when you need it.

Walk in well-lit areas.
If you have to walk around campus or around the residence halls after the sun sets, make sure to walk along sidewalks and pathways that have lampposts. Walking in dark areas could potentially increase the chance of something happening to your person or belongings.

Use the buddy system after dark.
Whether you physically use the buddy system or the LiveSafe app, having friends escort you to your destination greatly improves your safety. Walk to late-night classes with friends or have them virtually walk with you to make sure you get to your destination safely.

Create a safety kit.
While Millersville has a strict “no deadly or offensive weapon” policy, students can carry pepper spray to keep themselves safe. Carrying a whistle will alert those nearby when you require assistance or are in danger. Keep your safety kit handy so you can grab it easily at any time.

Learn self-defense.
The Martial Arts Club offers kickboxing classes, taekwondo classes, and Russian martial arts (ROSS) classes throughout the week. All three martial arts are forms of self-defense, and no prior experience is required! You can learn more information about the classes offered on the Martial Arts Club’s GetInvolved page.