Category Archives: Announcements

Housing Selection Process for On-Campus and Affiliate Housing: Fall 2019 – Spring 2020

Please follow these steps to ensure that you have your student housing secured for the 2019 – 2020 academic year.

To Continue to Live On-Campus for Fall 2019 – Spring 2020

Steps to follow:

  1. Secure your on-campus housing by paying your $200 non-refundable housing deposit on your MAX account
  2. March 1 – 4, 2019: Match with your roommates. (Make sure it is mutual)
    • If you plan on living in the same room with the same roommates DO NOT match
  3. Select your room (Dates below)

You can select your room through your MAX account. Make sure you select your room according to the following schedule:

  • Shenks Hall Only: Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Please note that Shenks fills up very fast.
  • Same Room Selection: March 6th – March 10, 2019. DO NOT match with roommates if you are already living with them and want the same room.
  • Open Room Selection: March 19 – March 29, 2019

Remember the University’s Housing Residency Requirement:

All full-time undergraduate students with less than 60- credit hours earned are required to live on campus. On campus is defined as residing in one of the following residence halls: East Village, Reighard Hall, Shenks Hall, South Village, or West Village. Students interested in living off-campus must have completed at least 60 credits before they can move off-campus.

Students who have not yet completed 60-credit hours but have completed at least 30-credit hours can live in our affiliate housing. Affiliate housing is defined as any housing managed by Student Lodging, Inc. (SLI), which includes Brookwood, College View, Wellness, and other properties owned by SLI.

To Live in Student Lodging, Inc. (SLI) Affiliate Housing

Steps to follow:

  1. Submit an off-campus request to HARP through MAX. See the instructions below.
  2. If approved, you will receive a waiver from HARP emailed with a specific waiver number. At that point, you may apply with SLI at their office. You must provide your printed waiver to the SLI office staff.
  3. Complete your application and payment with SLI. All students planning to live in an apartment together must have approved waivers before the SLI application will be accepted.

*Note: Affiliate housing waivers are limited and are based on a first come, first served basis provided that space is available.

HARP Off-Campus Request

  1. Log into your MAX account.
  2. Select Student Services. Then select Housing and Dining
  3. You will then choose Off Campus Housing Request for the Fall 2019 term.
  4. Provide all the required information and choose your off-campus option (Off-Campus / Student Lodging or Commuting).
  5.  Select I agree to the terms and your request will be submitted for Fall 2019.
  6. You will be notified regarding your waiver request.

If approved for SLI , you will receive two emails. One as an approval from MAX and one with the actual waiver number listed. You then must take this printed waiver to SLI as part of the application process.

 

Candy Land Event Rescheduled

The Candy Land Event is back on! Due to the inclement weather, we had to cancel the Candy Land Event that was scheduled for January 31st , but we have found a new date to hold the event.

On Monday February 11th starting at 6 pm in the South Great Room, Housing and Residential Programs will be hosting an event to highlight the housing selection process and the different room types available. The theme for the housing selection process this year is candy and sweets. Our big event this year will follow the theme and will be a life-size game of “Candy Land” for students to learn more information on the housing selection process and have fun with their friends at the same time.

By following the game path along the way, students will be able to learn more about the different housing room types we offer as well as buildings. There will also be information about when students can select their room for Fall 2019-Spring 2020. Students who come to the event and participate will also be able to enter to win different prizes including an early selection time. So if you want information or want to have some fun, come on down and play Candy Land!

How To Start Off the Semester Strong and Follow-Through

The spring semester is here Marauders! That means it’s time to get serious and focus. Many of us always say things in the beginning of the semester like, “I’m going to really do well this semester” or “ This is the semester I get a good GPA” , but many of us end up getting burnt-out and quit. It is the honest truth, but I think it is time we stop lying to ourselves and start really trying our best. To help us get that GPA we want or the encouragement to keep going, I made a list of tips on how to start the semester off on a good note and follow through with our goals. I hope everyone has a good semester and excels in their classes!

 

  1. Write down test dates and project deadlines as soon as you get your syllabus

Using a planner to write down important test dates and projects can help you to stay on track in your classes. Writing down important dates can also help to remind you of all the different deadlines you have for each of your classes so you never miss an assignment.

2. Sit near the front of the room in your classes

This may sound weird to you, but sitting in the front of class can help you stay focused and let the teacher know you are serious about the class. This may also give you less temptation to go on your phone or browse on your laptop while the professor is teaching. This is also a way for professor to get to know your name easier.

3. Meet people in your classes so you can all study together or discuss the material and deadlines

Having someone you know in your classes can make them better and make you feel more comfortable. I like to know at least one person in each of my classes that way if I am confused about a deadline or an assignment I can ask them for their help or advice.

4. Study or read your textbook a little each day

Reading your textbook a little each day will give you an insight into what you will be learning this semester and can give you a chance to ask your professor intelligent questions about material. Also, when test time comes around it will make recalling the information easier.

Photo courtesy of Canva.

5. Ask your professor any questions you have or attend office hours

Attending office hours gives you a chance to personally introduce yourself to your professor and gives you a chance to ask them questions you may have forgotten to ask in class. During this time, you can also get help with the material that was taught in class.

6. Find your go- to study space

Each semester I like to find a new space to study for my classes. Having a space where you feel comfortable and focused can help you study better and help you do better in your classes. Some of the best places to study are the study rooms in the library, the quiet floors of the library or the area behind Starbucks.

7. Schedule “me time” every week as a treat to yourself

Give yourself a nice break after a long week of hard work. Treating yourself by doing something you love can make you feel better and make you appreciate all of the time and work your are putting into your life and studies.

Photo courtesy of Canva.

If you have any more useful tips make sure to tweet them and tag us! Our username is @VilleHousing !

 

Candy Land Event

On Thursday January 31st in the South Great Room , Housing and Residential Programs will be hosting an event to highlight the housing selection process and the different room types available. The theme for the housing selection process this year is candy and sweets. Our big event this year will follow the theme and will be a life-size game of “Candy Land” for students to learn more information on the housing selection process and have fun with their friends at the same time.

By following the game path and playing mini games along the way, students will be able to learn more about the different housing room types we offer as well as buildings. There will also be information about when students can select their room for Fall 2019-Spring 2020. Students who come to the event and participate will also be able to enter to win different prizes including an early selection time. So if you want information or want to have some fun, come on down and play Candy Land!

Residence Halls Open Early on Saturday @ 12:00 PM Due to Weather

The Department of Housing & Residential Programs in discussion with Dining, Facilities, and MUPD has decided to permit students to return on Saturday, January 19, 2019 starting at 12:00 PM due to the impending weather. Students may also return on Sunday or Monday, but due to those families traveling from afar, we are extending this courtesy to Saturday. Meal plans will not be active until brunch on Sunday, but students may use Flex, cash, Marauder Gold, and credit cards to pay to eat in the Upper Deck on Saturday. Please plan accordingly if you do come back early.

We kindly ask that students who return on Saturday to park in the student parking deck (West Cottage Avenue and N. Prince Street) after unloading your belongings in order to make ice and snow removal easier for our grounds crew.

We want all of our Marauders to be safe so please use caution if you intend to travel on Saturday. We encourage you to wait until Sunday or Monday if at all possible.

Millersville University Residence Hall Winter Break 2018-19 Bulletin

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 15, 2018.

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 16, 2018.  Residents who need to stay in residence overnight on Saturday December 15, 2018 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 16, 2018.  The residence halls will be closed during the Winter Break. Resident Students who are continuing in the residence halls to Spring 2019, 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 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday December 12, 2018This 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.

To request Winter Break Housing please follow these instructions:

  1. Open MAX (for best results please use Goggle 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 2018 on the drop down menu.
  4. 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?
  5. From the drop down menu select “Revisit/Update This Application” and press submit.
  6. Select Winter Break.
  7. Complete the required information.
  8. You must select a reason for requesting break housing from the drop down menu.  If you select other, you must explain in the next box.
  9. Select “Continue” to submit your application.
  10. You only need to request Winter Break Housing if you need to continue your housing during the break period – Sunday December 16, 2018 6:00 p.m., through Sunday January 20, 2019, 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 is not permitted during the break.
  • All University Administrative Offices will close for the holidays after Noon Monday December 24, 2018 until 8:00 a.m. Wednesday January 2, 2019. Residence Hall Offices will have limited hours of operation during the break – see the hall front desk for contact information.
  • See Dining Services and Health Services websites for hours of operation.
  • SMC Desk will close for the holidays Noon on December 24 to Noon on December 26, 2018, and Noon December 31, 2018 to 7:00 a.m. January 2, 2019.
  • 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 2019 are not required to surrender residence hall keys to the staff prior to leaving for the break.
  • The Housekeeping and Facilities Management Staffs will 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 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 2018 are assigned to continue in the residence halls for Spring 2019 unless: you have filed an official withdrawal from the University; filed and been approval for an official leave of absence for Spring 2019; filed for leave of absence due to call to active military service for spring 2019; filed and been approved for study abroad for spring 2019; are a current study abroad visa international student not returning for the spring 2019 semester. All of these circumstances require that you are not registered for classes at Millersville University for Spring 2019.

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.

Photo courtesy of Canva.

Residence Hall Housing Deposit Process Open for Fall 2019-Spring 2020

The On-Campus Housing Deposit process for Fall 2019 – Spring 2020 is now open for returning students. Submitting your housing deposit is the first step to securing your housing for the upcoming school year. The $200 non-refundable, housing deposit will applied to your account for the Spring 2020 semester.

You can pay your housing deposit through your MAX account. It is on the first page of options when you log into your MAX account and is the second-to-last choice on the page labeled “Housing Deposit.”  Clicking on the link will take you to the page to make the payment.

The housing deposit screen will show “Spring 2020” because the $200 deposit is being applied to your spring semester bill. This deposit will reserve your room for the entire 2019-2020 academic year. Making this payment makes you eligible for the room selection process, which will occur early in the Spring 2019 semester. Please note that paying the deposit does not guarantee your same room, suite, or building.

Further details regarding room selection and corresponding dates will be available soon. Good luck on your finals and projects Marauders!

Avoid the “Winter Blues”

Since it is Winter, there are less hours of sunlight  in the day and most of the time it is gloomy outside. During this time, it is common for many people to  suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that occurs during the cold and darker months of the year, mainly fall and winter. This disorder makes people feel moody and it takes away their energy levels.

Here at Millersville you do not need to brush off that yearly feeling as simply as a case of the “winter blues”. This feeling is very common, so the Counseling Center offers relief to those experiencing this during the winter months. The Counseling Center , located in Lyle Hall,  have launched Light Box Therapy which has been available since October and will be available until March.

Light Box Therapy involves sitting down in front of light boxes. During this time , students can sit there and relax or they can complete their work while in front of the light. The light that is projected mimics sunlight which can lift your mood. The science behind it is that when you are in the presence of the light there is a chemical change in your brain and more levels of serotonin are produced. Serotonin is a brain chemical that affects your mood. 

Light Box Therapy sessions may be scheduled on Mondays through Fridays  from 8 am to 11:30 am. The Counseling Center has found the best results when students make an appointment in the morning. Completing a session in the morning helps to create better regulation of the body’s sleep cycles. So if you have 20-30 mins in the day , why not try out Light Box Therapy to increase your mood.

Information was provided by Erin Haggard, the Graduate Assistant at the Center for Counseling and Human Developemnt here at Millersville University.

To make an appointment or get more information you can go to the Counseling Center’s website or call them.

Cover photo courtesy of Canva.

Millersville University Residence Hall Thanksgiving Break 2018 Bulletin

The Thanksgiving break will start at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday November 21, 2018. The residence halls will be available for occupancy during the Thanksgiving break, but resident students must register intention to stay on campus during the Thanksgiving break (this includes leaving late and returning early) between 4:00 p.m. Thursday November 1, 2018, and no later than 7:00 p.m. on Monday November 19, 2018.  This registration is for Thanksgiving break only.  You must 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 “MyHousing” account
  3. Select Application from the menu in black and then choose “Break Housing 2018” on the drop down menu.
    1. 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?”
    2. From the drop down menu select “Revisit/Update This Application” and press submit.
    3. Select “Thanksgiving 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 in the next box.
  6. Select “Continue” to submit your application

Remember, you must register for break housing even if you are just leaving late at closing, or returning early before opening.

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 22nd and Friday November 23, 2018.
  • Guests and Visitation is not permitted during the break.
  • Residence Hall Offices will have limited hours of operation during the break – see you hall front desk for contact information.
  • See Dining Services and Health Services websites for hours of operation.
  • SMC Desk will be closed from 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 21st until Noon Friday November 23, 2018
  • 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 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 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.

Photo courtesy of:

https://www.freeimages.com/photographer/petit_roux-49036

World Kindness Day

November 13th, is World Kindness day! This is a day celebrated annually on November 13th and promotes making the world a better place by spreading kindness and participating in good deeds. On this great day, people are encouraged to participate in spreading love and kindness . Celebrate with these fun and easy random acts of kindness!

Picture source: https://www.ftd.com/blog/celebrate/kindness-quotes

  1. Compliment your friends or random people.

Tell someone you like their outfit, or they have a great smile or tell them they are smart and ambitious. Being complimented is one of the best feelings in the world and can make someone happy for the whole day.

2. Say good morning to people you see on your walk to class.

This is a friendly and easy way to make a stranger’s day.

3. Pay it forward at Saxby’s or Starbucks.

If you haven’t heard of this concept, it occurs when you pay for the person’s item or coffee behind you. It is a sweet little surprise.

4. Write a handwritten note to your friend or favorite professor.

This shows the person that they are appreciated and doing a good job or being a great person.

5. Say thank you to someone you appreciate.

Saying thank you is a kind and sweet way to show someone that you care for them and recognize how they impact your life.

6. Make someone smile.

Smiling is contagious and can make someone feel happy. This can happen by telling a joke, a story or just by talking to them.

7. Send an uplifting text to a friend or family member.

This is a great way to make someone’s day who you cannot see everyday. I like to send my best friend from home a small little text each day to inspire her to keep going and to show her my appreciation of her!

Let’s make kindness here at Millersville the norm. Being kind to those around you will create a fun and friendly environment. “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”