Category Archives: Lifestyle / Hall Life

Housing & Residential Programs Celebrates RA Success

We want to say congratulations to the amazing Resident Assistant Staff! The RA’s of the East Villages, South Villages, West Villages, Shenks, and Reighard are to be commended. The Department of Housing and Residential Programs hosted its annual RA Banquet on Sunday, April 14th, 2018. The senior staff of Housing & Residential Programs hosts this annual banquet to recognize the RA staff for their accomplishments and hard work. The RA’s have offered so much to the Millersville campus community, from their willingness to solve conflicts as well as the development of amazing programs throughout the residence halls. We find it necessary to place them into a cohesive, uplifting, and engaging environment.

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“It was a fun one last time together as a staff. It was well put on and a great wrap-up to the end of the year.” —Sienna Rankin-Wahlers 20180415_182237

Camille Christiansen and Zach Whelpley acceped the “Outstanding New RA” and “Outstanding Returning RA” Awards. Camille is a Junior Biology major. Zach Welpley is a Junior Computer Science major heading into his senior year.

“I was surprised and excited! I honestly wasn’t expecting it all. I know that I work hard to support and be there for the residents in the building, but there are so many other RA’s who really are amazing and that I look up to. It also felt really nice being recognized because sometimes it seems like we work behind the scenes.” —Camille Christiansen

20180415_181153Residential Area Director Rebekah Yerger with Resident Assistant of East Villages, Alexis Nunes, who accepts The Dr. Clyde S & Pauline F. Stine Endowed Scholarship. The Stine Award is given annually to a continuing Resident Assistant member of the junior class. The successful applicant must have a record of demonstrated outstanding service and positive contributions to the Department of Housing & Residential Programs and the general campus community. Alexis is a sophomore Early Childhood / Special Education major with a minor in STEM . Congratulations, Alexis!

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” —Dr. Suess (East RA Staff 2017-2018)

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RA’s Sam Reams, Gabby Reed, Rick Penn, Simone Terrell, and Abby Musser (not pictured) are accepting the Global Perspective Pillar Program for their “Interracial Dating” program. These RA’s opened a forum to discuss interracial dating hoping to inspire different perspectives about dating. This event  featured guests from the Black Student Union. This award is given to those who planned and executed an event for residents to develop relationships with others. This program must also prepare residents to become informed global citizens by appreciating differences, communicate in a personal setting, promote community, and integrate knowledge in everyday experiences. Congratulations, South Village!

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RA Natalie Hertzog accepting the Personal Perspective Pillar Program Award for her “Not Fooling Me” program. This award is given to those who planned and executed an event for residents to further their individual growth by making responsible and ethical decisions, developing a sense of self, utilizing effective time management, managing one health’s resolving conflict, and developing leadership skills. This program discussed body positivity and how social media can affect it. Residents were given rocks to color to as a reminder of self-love. Congratulations, Natalie! 20180415_181830

RA Zach Whelpley accepted the Academic Perspective Pillar Program Award for his program “Stargazing.”  This award is given to those who planned and executed an event for residents to successfully navigate the collegiate experience. The program also must provide residents with critical thinking skills, a value life-long learning, and academic competency. This program allowed residents to learn how to set up a telescope, discover a method for star navigation, differentiating between stars, planets, and clusters, and even discussed the human impact on the environment. Congratulations, Zach!

The senior staff of Housing & Residential Programs are very proud of each RA and hope to see continued success and growth for each of you. You all will always have a place in Housing & Residential Programs. The hope is that you continue to inspire, impact, and engage individuals who are ready and willing to learn!

Include Your Voice in MU Student Health Data!

Student Health, something that we all sometimes neglect in the midst of taking on life. More often than not we find ourselves just barely hanging on to the grips of college and breezing by. But it goes without saying, we leave ourselves vulnerable to the misinformation about student health and campus health.

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But that can change! Beginning today there is an active survey that will make your voice heard. Upon completing the survey about Student Health, you can be 1 out of 5 student winners. The student(s) will win a $50 gift card from the University Store. If you check your email periodically, you will see an email titled: Include Your Voice in MU Student Health Data. This email will be sent from The American College Health Association. The survey will be active from April 15th, 2018 until April 29th, 2018.

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Now is this time to have your voice heard! Use this PDF below as a resource for any outstanding questions you may have. Enjoy your weekend in good health!

MU CHEP_Student Health Survey Poster_HR_4.03

 

Right Now It’s April, but soon It’s Gonna Be May!

We are now in April, but what does that mean exactly? We find ourselves scrambling to get ourselves together mentally, physically, and socially. It takes a lot to get through the semester—with all the tests, quizzes, no sleep, calling your parents, and keeping a balanced diet. Trying to keep all of these factors in line, it is difficult to think about how the days pass and what you have to do to stay on top of your life.

Its Gonna Be May

April is crunch time. You submit those final papers, beg your professors to turn that 68 into a 90, and hope that we will finally see Spring weather. Whatever the case may be, with all those present worries, it is hard to make time for yourself and step away from school. But there are ways you can move past this April slump and make the best of May with the following tips and tricks to conquer Spring semester!

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  1. When studying, study with a friend so they can help you succeed!
  2. Don’t let the stress, stress you out.
  3. Get a planner and plan ahead for upcoming events.
  4. Take time for yourself; self-care is important.
  5. Get some gains, go to the gym and exercise.
  6. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE
  7. Get your rest and count those sheep!
  8. Make sure you stop and breathe—breathing helps you stay alive.
  9. Distract yourself with family and friends, they can be a great resource.
  10. Counseling is a good resource for a stress-free environment.

There are always resources readily available to students who feel the overwhelming amounts of stress this time around. These tips and tricks can really keep a student calm in the midst of chaos and the seemingly unbearable stress. Millersville’s Center for Counseling & Human Development also offers tips to deal with stress and ways to manage it. http://www.millersville.edu/counsel/  This link will connect you to available resources if you find yourself looking for that additional help to free yourself from the burden of stress. Look to the future, knowing that you are not alone even with May slowly approaching! There is always someone there to help!

 

5 Faces of Oppression

Oppression, as we define it is—prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control. Of course what we might start to realize is oppression can take on many forms. It can affect many dimensions of society and social life. Oppression can attach itself to the workplace, within institutions, possibly within homes, in the realm of education, and occur between person to person.

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On Wednesday, March 28th, 2018 at 6:00p.m. in the South Village Great Room, a discussion will be held observing oppression. It will not only talk about how we define it, but also how oppression itself has five (5) faces. These faces are: exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, violence, and cultural imperialism. Through this discussion we will be looking to expand on ideas such as these:

  • Discuss what racism can be and how it can take many forms. 
  • How to confidently respond to acts of discrimination. 

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The goal of this event is to not only facilitate a dialogue, but also affirm with a “call to action” identifying oppression as a whole and its associated umbrella terms. More so to that, inspire students who feel lost about how to approach these conversations. What we are urging is that students come to this event looking to learn and respond affectively and actively to halting oppression. Students have a role that determines the success of the program. Not only will you be asked to generate a willing participation, but also to ask questions. The idea behind this event is to show how students can carry this information into tense situations. It encourages a stronger,   more positive approach to impacting negative ways of thinking.

If you are willing and able to commit to this event, not only for your benefit but for others as well—we would to have your company. RA LaChaun Freeland and RA Eugene Thomas will be hosting this event. Be sure to bring your friends who may have a passion for justice or just has trouble helping others. See you there!

 

 

Room Selection Smackdown! UPDATE!

Can you smell what Room Selection is cooking!? Well if you can, that means that is time to apply and secure your Housing for Fall 2018-Spring 2019! Of course around this time you get frantic not knowing where to live, but rest assured that when you’re done reading, all of your worries will go away!

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If you already “Rock Bottomed” your Housing Deposit, then you are on the right track. If you haven’t already, put a “Smackdown” on that (non-refundable) $200. You still have time to do so! Housing Deposits have opened again effectively immediately! After that, you still want to be sure that you Apply Online and Sign the Housing Agreement: MAX Account->Student Services->Housing and Dining->My Housing->Apply Online 

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Now you’re onto Matching Roommates! Since the time frame for the Housing Deposit has been changed, being able to select a roommate will considerably be more flexible for all of you! 25s7bf

You are almost done! You have Batista Bombed, Five Knuckle Shuffled, and RKO’d your way to successfully selecting your room! There is just one thing left to do…The dates of the Residence Hall openings either for a new dorm, same room, or open room are listed below:

Shenks Hall Only: March 23rd (Shenks fills up fast! You have been warned) 

Same Room selection: March 26th-March 29th 

New Residence Hall: March 29th-April 13th

Well would you look at that…you are the champion of Room selection. Be sure to talk with your friends about what you have read, so when the time comes rooming together will not be an issue! Also let parents know what your plans are so they can help too! Happy Room Selection. Be sure to adhere to the dates in bold and underlined they will help you!

Welcome to Lombardo! Come on In!

Hey,  I heard this was going to be the new building for Admissions? Is that a solar panel? These might be the first few questions you ask yourself when you walk past the new Lombardo Welcome Center. You might be leaving McComsey peering over at the glass windows or looking at the walkways so inviting you have to take a trip. All the while, you bite your nails, grind your teeth, and wonder—should I go inside?

IMG_3781Yes! You should go inside, whether you are looking for Admissions  or having some persisting Housing trouble, this is the place to be. But other than that—what makes the Lombardo Welcome Center live up to its name? It is known most currently for its efforts to maintain a safe and sustainable environment. But what you can also look forward to is the interactive touch screen display that compiles information about Lombardo. From “Millersville & YOU,” “Why Millersville,” to “Social Media Feeds,” and “University Fast Facts.” The display has it all! Even if you’re thirsty, there are stations to fill up your water bottle on the go. You might want a place to sit and talk, there’s a space for that—you can kick back and soak up the ambiance of it all! IMG_3790

“I enjoy being able to have a lot of room to move around. I also like the fact that we can work together with other departments without going too far.” —Kevin Maldonado, Resident Assistant & Housing Intern

“The building is modern and constructed openly for better collaboration with coworkers. The environment’s atmosphere is lively and fun.”—Gabrielle Reed, Resident Assistant & Student Worker

Even though Lombardo is brand new the reviews have been positive. Whether the feedback is from interns, staff themselves,  or residents—they all exclaim “WOW!” Everyone who I have seen come through those glass doors have all smiled, had wide eyes, or stood around just to socialize. Lombardo makes people want to come inside, ask questions, and interact. So if you are wondering what is on the other side of the glass doors, feel free to come in! Be willing to not only visit Housing and Admissions, but the people just like you standing around amazed.  You may learn something new and find out more how Millersville is improving one day at a time.

Photos Courtesy of Eugene Thomas 

Valentine’s Day: What Is Love Contest

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Valentine’s Day is a special time for us to celebrate love—Whether it be the love we give ourselves or the love we give others. Love is something we all need to feel like there is still good in the world!

Housing and Residential Programs would like you to be a part of those who spread love, either in the interest of self-love or loving that special person in your life. There will be a contest for our students living in the residence halls to see who can come up with the best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day!

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Here’s what you’ll need to do:

  1. With 25-50 words tell us how you make Valentine’s Day special—for yourself, with your significant other, or with a friend or family member.
  2. Take a photo showing how you spent this Valentine’s Day—keep the photos clean and friendly!
  3. Tweet both the photo and how you spend your Valentine’s Day with a mention to @VilleHousing using the #VilleHousingValentine hashtag.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter at @VilleHousing.

The winners will be announced on Monday, February 19, 2018. There will be $50, $25, and $15 gift cards for the University Store for first place, second place, and third place! Show us here at Housing what love is all about and how we Marauders celebrate Valentine’s Day!

Black History Month: Awareness, Allies, and Dialogue

The beginning of February is a time of history, celebration, and appreciation for those invested and a part of black culture. Black History Month encompasses the milestones made, the organizations formed, the fights for liberation, and the supportive systems of allies. It is also a month of overcoming struggle, realizing that progress cannot be made if one is not passive, but active. As a University, our job is to familiarize ourselves with our demographic of students and make it a safe living learning community. It also our job to be both inclusive and diverse and be mindful of our actions. Black History Month is a time to educate and be aware, it is a time most importantly to create a dialogue with others.

The question now is how can we educate ourselves, be aware, and create dialogue? One way is to read—it is a fundamental tool to immerse yourself in a life that is not your own, while also wondering what other works are out there to inspire and change the way you think.

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James Baldwin—a poet, social critic, writer, and essayist created works associated with the racial disparities in America. He also focused on the life of the American Negro.

His novels, essays, and poems can be a great resource to learn about Black History. He can also point you in the direction of other great  novelists like: Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, Ralph Ellison, and Ta-Nehisi Coates to name a few. Let this February be a time of not only education, but of love, compassion, openness, understanding, creativity, and progress.

Let these three things help you this February:

  1. Be aware of your peers who may be insensitive to the meaning behind Black History Month. – Do the right thing and educate.
  2. Spread love and read more. – There is life in the pages of a book.
  3. Create dialogue. – Be open minded and talk to those who may not be aware. Dialogue can create a space for important issues to be solved.

We can all be servant leaders this February, not only for others but for ourselves! We all contribute to the way we live and learn each day! Be a friend, be an ally, and be involved!

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If you want to peek into the life of James Baldwin,  check out “I Am Not Your Negro” on February 13th, 2018 in the South Village Great  Room from 7:00pm-9:30pm led by RA Eugene Thomas!

*There will be a giveaway of 10 copies of “I Am Not Your Negro” the novel. Five books will be given in the beginning of the program followed by the remaining five books at the end. 

Photos courtesy of Google 

 

Five Things to Do In the Residence Halls

Lately, the weather can only be described as weird. Some days are hot. Some are cold. Some are bright and sunny. Some are overcast and rainy. On the less than beautiful weather days, you may find yourself cooped up inside your residence hall. What do you do with your time? Check out the list of possibilities below!

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1. Board Games

Did you know the halls have board games for students to sign out? Or you can play some of your own. If your roommate is anything like mine was in college they might have brought about twenty different games to school. Gather a group of friends and get to playing! May I suggest my personal favorite, Scattergories?

2. Pool, Foosball, or Ping Pong

The residence halls have pool tables, foosball tables, and ping pong tables scattered throughout the floors. Sign out the equipment from the front desk, gather your neighbors, and maybe put together a competition bracket.

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3. TV/Movie Marathon

We all have a Netflix account or know someone who does. Make some popcorn, settle down in your comfy clothes, and binge to your heart’s content. Hang out with your roommate, friends, and neighbors. Make it a regular thing. My freshman year of college it was a weekly event in my wing to sit down and watch the Jersey Shore together. And I’m totally not sorry about it!

4. Music Time

On nights when we were stuck inside and bored out of our minds my roommate and I would get my guitar out and learn to play and sing our favorite songs. Even if you aren’t musically inclined you can still take part in this one. Don’t know how to play an instrument? Go on YouTube and search karaoke. Spend the next few hours doing your best Cher or Drake impression with your buddies! Whether you are teaching yourself to play something new or doing your level best to butcher your favorite karaoke song it should be a good time!

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5. Homework

You had to know I would include this in here. Studying and doing homework is always an option when you’re stuck inside due to weird PA weather! It’s not a bad idea to get that work done when the weather stinks so that when it’s beautiful again you can spend your time outside living life worry-free.

All photos courtesy of Canva.

Kristi Shorter is an Intern for Millersville University’s Housing and Residential Programs.  She is currently pursuing her Master of Education in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.