Lifestyle / Hall Life, RA Spotlight

Meet the Resident Assistants — CJ Longo

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Meet your RA: CJ Longo, South Village

  • Name/Year/Hometown/Major(s)
      • CJ Longo / Sophomore / Freehold, NJ / Environmental Hazards & Emergency Management, and Geography: Environmental Studies
  • Do you have any hobbies?
      • I love being outside in the sun, going to the shore, traveling, watching Netflix, Hulu, & YouTube.
  • Why did you want to become an RA?
      • I wanted to become an RA to gain leadership skills and to make a positive impact on my resident’s lives.
  • What is the most valuable part of being an RA?
      • The most valuable part of being an RA to me is just being there for a resident in need or just simply putting a smile on their face.
  • What is your favorite program you held for your residents?
      • My favorite program that I’ve held with my residents was Pie an RA (organized by RAs Maddie, Jack, and I). The RAs of South and I got pied in the face by our residents with a small donation to Relay For Life, and I was pied 8 times by my residents. As a staff, we raised over $250!
  • What do you hope your residents get out of you being their RA?
      • I want my residents to know that they can come to me with any questions or concerns and that I can point them in the right direction to different campus resources.
  • Do you have any valuable tips or tricks that you have learned from your time here at MU to pass on to other students?
      • Grilled Cheese from the Upper Deck is heaven on Earth.
  • What is your favorite part of living in the residence halls?
      • My favorite part of living in the residence halls is that you get to meet so many different people from so many different backgrounds.
  • Why did you choose to come to Millersville?
      • I initially chose Millersville because of its outstanding meteorology program, but I recently changed my major to emergency management, which is something I am more interested in. I also chose Millersville because of its luxurious residence halls compared to other schools with more traditional residence halls. Overall, Millersville was the perfect school for me because it’s not too far from home, has excellent academic programs, and it’s a beautiful campus.
  • What is your favorite class you have taken at Millersville?
      • My favorite class that I’ve taken so far here is Intro to Emergency Management with Professor Benyeda. This class opened my eyes to the emergency management field and was just such an interesting class to take. I also got to skip the midterm and final if I took the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course offered on campus, which was a fantastic course to take as well!
  • Do you have any upcoming events?
        • Yes! I am hosting a Halloween door decorating contest on my floor! The suite with the best-decorated door will win a free Chick-fil-A meal, doors will be judged on October 24th!
Announcements, Policies & Procedures

Millersville University Residence Hall Fall Break 2019 Bulletin

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The fall break will start after classes on Friday, October 11, 2019.  The residence halls will remain open for occupancy during the fall break, but we ask resident students to register an intention to stay on campus during the fall break no later than 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2019.  This registration is for fall break only.  There is no additional cost to stay over the fall 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 Fall 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 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 fall 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.

Fall Break Housing Information:

  • The residence halls will be operational during fall break.
  • University Administrative Offices will be open during fall break during regular business hours.
  • Guests and Visitation is 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.
  • 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.

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

  • Dispose of all trash by moving it to the dumpsters 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 74 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 Pixabay.

Announcements, Events / Programs

Ville Takes On OUTober

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October is LGBT+ History Month, which coincides with National Coming Out Day on October 11th. LGBT+ History Month began in 1994 when Rodney Wilson, a history teacher in suburban St. Louis, came out to his students during a lesson about the Holocaust. He explained that if he had lived in Germany during World War II, he would have likely been imprisoned and murdered by the Nazis for being gay. This evolved into a much broader mission to teach young people about LGBT+ history.

The Dr. Rita Smith Wade-El Intercultural Center is hosting a slew of events between October 7th-11th to celebrate Coming Out Week.

Monday, October 7th

  • 12pm-2pm | SMC 202 — Faculty and Staff Lunch and Learn
  • 6pm | SMC Reighard Multipurpose Room — “Lead with Pride” Kickoff Keynote with Guest Speaker Dr. Jon Paul Higgins
  • 9pm | SMC Reighard Multipurpose Room — LGBT Lingo Bingo

Tuesday, October 8th

  • 3pm-4:30pm | SMC Reighard Multipurpose Room — Coming Out Week Film: Mala Mala
  • 6pm | SMC Promenade, Sponsored by CHEP — GSA Table at Purple Carnival
  • 6pm-8pm | South Village Great Room — Courageous Conversations: Power and Privilege

Wednesday, October 9th

  • 11am-1pm | SMC Robert L. Slabinski Atrium — OUT-a-Palooza
  • 3pm-5pm | SMC 118 — LGBTQIA+ Affinity Meet Up
  • 6pm | Meyers Auditorium, McComsey Hall — PCGSD Presents: Poetry Reading with Meg Day
  • 8pm | SMC Reighard Multipurpose Room — Quick Drag 101

Thursday, October 10th

  • 5pm-8pm | Student Memorial Center — Pridefest 2019
  • 8pm (Doors open @ 7:30pm) | SMC Marauder Courts — 6th Annual Pridefest Drag Show featuring Nina West and Peppermint

Friday, October 11th

  • 10am-2pm | SMC Robert L. Slabinski Atrium — National Coming Out Day – Paint with Pride!

October is also home to International Pronouns Day, which is celebrated on October 16th this year. International Pronouns seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns normal. Being referred to by the wrong pronouns affects transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. Using peoples’ correct pronouns validates their identity, which is imperative for transgender and gender-nonconforming people.

Spirit Day is celebrated on October 20th this year. Observers wear purple as a visible sign of support for LGBT+ youth and to honor LGBT+ victims of suicide. LGBT+ youth disproportionately face bullying and harassment, and wearing purple is a way to stand with them in solidarity. The murder of Matthew Shepard is also remembered this month. Matthew was a student at the University of Wyoming who identified as gay. On October 6, 1998, he was brutally attacked and left to die but was thankfully discovered by a cyclist. He was transported to an advanced trauma ward in Colorado, but unfortunately, he passed away six days later.

While we celebrate and have fun this Coming Out Week, it’s important to remember that LGBT+ history is complex and intersectional. It’s a time to celebrate all that LGBT+ folks have accomplished and contributed, but it’s also a time to reflect on the continual fight the LGBT+ community faces for human rights.

Announcements, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle / Hall Life

Stay Healthy on Campus

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As fall approaches, so does cold and flu season. Unfortunately, illnesses can sneak up on us, but there are a few ways students can get ahead of the game.

Get a flu shot.
Health Services offers free flu shots to all students. While Health Services usually requires an appointment to be seen, they provide walk-ins for flu shots. If you believe you’ve gotten sick, Health Services will evaluate and treat acute illnesses. You can schedule an appointment by calling 717-871-5250.

Exercise.
Exercise helps white blood cells travel faster through your body; white blood cells are the ones that fight against infection. There are a few ways to exercise on campus. The Fitness Center is located in the SMC and is free to all full-time students. There are numerous intramural and club sports, as well as fitness classes, offered as well. If you don’t have enough time for a formal workout and still have PokemonGo downloaded, there are 8 gyms and 45 PokeStops around campus you can walk, jog, or run to. Don’t forget to hatch your eggs!

Get enough sleep.
While it’s tempting to pull an all-nighter, sleep deprivation can lead to reduced brain function, fatigue, headaches, and more. Between 7 and 9 hours of sleep will improve your overall health. Try taking a short nap during the day and sticking to a schedule can help you to stay rested throughout the day.

Wash your hands.
Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to avoid getting sick. Being in close contact with people through classes, the residence halls, and walking around campus means it’s easy to catch colds or viruses. Hand washing removes these germs. Wash your hands before meals, any time you will be touching your eyes, nose or mouth, or if you’ve been around others who are sick.

Drink lots of water.
Staying hydrated gives you more energy throughout the day by replenishing your body. It helps concentration and can help you from overeating. Refill the water you buy from the Anchor or Galley from water fountains with the EZ H2O filtration system — these water fountains can be found all over campus.

Eat right.
Eating healthy can help boost your immune system, maintain a healthy weight, and improve overall health. While it’s easier to grab a slice of pizza or cheesesteak, healthier alternatives are available at the Upper Deck, Anchor, and Galley. Even if you don’t have time before your 9AM class, always eat breakfast. Whether it’s a granola bar or banana, breakfast keeps you from overeating throughout the day. Never skipping meals is also important. Snacking can also help keep your appetite in check. Try keeping a good balance of dairy, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and protein every day.

Relax.
Stress is something that you’ll definitely experience in college. Relaxing and having down-time is essential to staying healthy. Stress and getting run-down can adversely affect your health. Creating a routine and giving yourself regular breaks is the easiest way to relax. Don’t forget to hang out with friends and de-stress by binging Netflix or Hulu or curling up with a good book.

Images courtesy of Pexels. 

Lifestyle / Hall Life, New / Prospective Students, Resources

Millersville University Resource List for Incoming Students

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Starting college for the first time can be daunting if you don’t know what resources are available on campus. Millersville University offers many different resources, so here is a compiled list of resources both new and returning students can benefit from.

Academic Advisement
Academic Advisement strives to help students develop educational plans, clarify career and life goals, and reinforce self-direction among many other things. Academic Advisement also spearheads the retention initiatives — these initiatives are for students in academic jeopardy. They are here to help you, no matter what!

Campus Ministries
Through Campus Ministries, there are several campus clubs, campus ministers, and off-campus worship opportunities. Wherever faith takes you, Millersville has something to offer.

Center for Counseling and Human Development
The Counseling Center is committed to providing quality mental health care to Millersville’s campus. The Center offers bibliotherapy, lightbox therapy, pet therapy, drug and alcohol counseling, crisis intervention, support groups, and counseling for issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, grief, homesickness, stress, and test anxiety. Students may receive up to five counseling sessions a semester, but if students seek long-term counseling, they may be referred to resources in the community.

Center for Health Education and Promotion
The Elsie S. Shenk Center for Health Education and Promotion (CHEP) educates students on topics including alcohol and other drugs, body image, dating and domestic violence, healthy relationships, safer sex, sexual assault, stalking, and stress. Students have the opportunity to train to become peer educators and teach their fellow students how to lead a healthy lifestyle and safely make the most out of their college experience.

Center for Student Involvement and Leadership
The Center for Student Involvement and Leadership (CSIL) is Millersville’s go-to place for students who want to get involved. CSIL allows students to get involved on campus, serve Millersville’s community, and develop their leadership skills.

Dating and Domestic Violence Awareness
If you are a victim of sexual and/or dating violence, Millersville and the surrounding community can help. Millersville provides resources and services on- and off-campus to students in need. CHEP has sexual assault and dating and domestic violence advocates that students can talk to on Mondays and Tuesdays, located in the Montour House. The Counseling Center, Health Services, and Title IX can help as well. The Millersville Police Department is also available to students, as well as the YWCA and Domestic Violence Shelter, both located in Lancaster City.

Digital Learning Studio
The Digital Learning Studio offers support for faculty and students with various new technologies, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, iMovie, MU Video, 3D printing, and more. The Digital Learning Studio provides one-on-one instruction to help the Millersville community gain experience with state-of-the-art technology.

Dr. Rita Smith Wade-El Intercultural Center
The Dr. Rita Smith Wade-El Intercultural Center helps to create and sustain a welcoming and inclusive campus. The Center aims to provide students a space to explore their multiple and intersectional identities and learn about the background and experiences of others.

Experiential Learning and Career Management
Experiential Learning and Career Management (ELCM) provides student-centered career programs, experiences, and learning opportunities to help students achieve their personal and professional goals. They host job and internship fairs, graduate school fairs, and career week. ELCM also assists students seeking traineeships, internships, or volunteer opportunities.

Field Services
The Department of Field Services encompasses Early Field Experience, Advanced Professional Studies (APS), Student Teaching, and Certification. Students will complete several field experiences before obtaining their degree or certification. Clearances are required before students are allowed in the field. Information about clearances can be found here.

Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid helps students obtain financial assistance to help pay for college. The Office answers questions about FASFA, eligibility of financial aid, grants, scholarships, and loans.

Fitness Center
The Fitness Center, located in the Student Memorial Center, is designed to meet the fitness needs of students, faculty, staff, and the community. The Fitness Center has cardio equipment, free weights, weight machines, and open recreation areas. Kickboxing, taekwondo, yoga, and more classes are offered. Membership is included in tuition if students are enrolled in 12+ credits.

Health Services
Health Services sees students by appointment for a variety of services including, but not limited to, athletic physicals, pre-employment and driver’s license evaluations, STI testing and treatment, laboratory testing — both in-house and outside, and evaluation and treatment of acute illness and injury. There is a self-care cart located in the waiting area of Health Services for students who need wound care and upset stomach, pain, allergy, cold, and flu relief. Sanitary supplies and condoms/dental dams are also available in this cart.

Help Desk (IT)
The Help Desk is available to students who need help accessing their student accounts, have questions about Office 365, or need assistance in an on-campus computer lab.

ID Cards
Students will need their IDs to use the facilities and services at McNairy Library, the dining halls, Pucillo gymnasium, Biemesderfer Stadium, the Student Memorial Center, Health Services, the Fitness Center, and other areas around campus. ID Services assists students who have damaged or lost their IDs. If students wish to use Marauder Gold, they will use their ID to access those funds.

MU | Alert
Subscribing to MU Alert allows students to receive text messages and/or emails notifying them if there is an emergency on or near campus and if campus closes or is delayed due to inclement weather.

McNairy Library and Learning Forum
McNairy Library provides many different services to students. The library’s collection includes roughly 300,000 print books, more than 400,000 electronic books, government documents, videos, special collections, thousands of print and electronic journals, and several hundred databases. Students can also access resources held by other libraries through RequestIt and E-Z Borrow. Librarians have created course- and discipline-specific research guides. They are also here to assist students in formulating research questions and identifying, locating, and evaluating the information needed to answer these questions. The library also has an Ask a Librarian service where students can contact a librarian by chat, telephone, in person, or via email. A message board on the main floor of the library indicates who is responsible for answering questions for the Ask a Librarian service and where they are physically located.

Office of Learning Services
Students who are eligible for accommodations will work with the Office of Learning Services to ensure accommodations are provided. Documentation is required before Learning Services can complete a list of accommodations. You can learn about the required documentation here.

Office of Student Accounts
The Office of Student Accounts is responsible for collecting student tuition and fees. If there are any questions surrounding refunds, housing and dining rates, or payment options, the Office of Student Accounts can help.

Registrar
The Registrar assists students in registering for classes and with their degree audits. Degree audits are reviews of past and current coursework that provides information on completed and remaining requirements necessary to complete their degree. Transcript requests are also processed through the Registrar.

Shuttle Schedule
Students may access the MU Xpress, MU Park City Xpress, and Route 16 at no charge by showing their ID during the fall and spring semesters. Students can travel to other locations on Red Rose Transit Authority’s buses but will need to transfer.

Student Conduct and Community Standards
The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards is in place to educate students about the expectations of Millersville University. Students who wish to file a report of sexual misconduct or aggressive, erratic, or hostile behavior can do so from the Office’s homepage.

Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” Millersville will not tolerate any acts of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. If students believe they are the victim of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, Title IX is here to help.

University Police
The University Police provides 24-hour coverage year-round with a full staff of state-commissioned police officers. The Department assists with investigating criminal and suspicious activity, enforcing University rules and regulations and Pennsylvania laws, directing pedestrian and vehicular traffic, providing security, and much more. The University Police are also available to assist with non-emergencies.

Veterans Resource Center
The Veterans Resource Center provides resources for veterans ranging from healthcare to education benefits. Any questions veterans would have for the VA, the Resource Center provides a stepping stone on where to go.

Writing Center
The Writing Center is available for students who are struggling to start writing a paper, are unsure if the paper makes sense, or need someone to look at the paper before turning it in. The Writing Center offers walk-in tutoring, online tutoring, and 30-minute appointments.

*** Image Courtesy of Free Images

Announcements, Events / Programs, Social Advocacy / Justice

Fall 2019 Disability Film Festival

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Every semester Dr. Thomas Neuville organizes the Disability Film Festival. This semester there are three full-length films and five short films being screened. Each screening is held in the Myers Auditorium in McComsey Hall from 5:30–8:30 PM. There will be a post-screening discussion following all screenings. All screenings are free and open to the public.

The festival kicks off on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 with a screening of Raising Faith: Stories about Dyslexia. The film documents the experiences of nine young people and their families. The primary subject, Faith, shares wisdom about the way she learns and how she negotiated her education through middle and high school, and now college.

The second screening on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 consists of five short films: “Ian,” “The Right To Be Rescued,” “The Interviewer,” “The Best and Most Beautiful Things,” and “Awake.” “Ian” documents a boy with a disability who’s determined to play on the playground despite his peers bullying him. “The Right To Be Rescued” tells the stories of people with disabilities affected by Hurricane Katrina. “The Interviewer” focuses on Thomas who gets more than he bargained for in his interview at a prestigious law firm. The film was devised with 12 people living with a disability, all of whom actively participated in the development of the film. “The Best and Most Beautiful Things” highlights the relationship between Brandon and Emily, who are, respectively, learning sign language and trying to speak. “Awake” follows Miles, who is traumatized by his father’s death and is cursed by his own subconscious. He is taught a lesson by his subconscious through repetition of dreams.

Pennhurst: They’ve waited a long time to tell their story is being screened on Tuesday, October 22, 2019. Pennhurst is a documentary chronicling the stories of people whose lives were irrevocably intertwined with the history of the Pennhurst State School and Hospital. Pennhurst was a massive institutional home for the developmentally disabled and closed in 1987.

The festival concludes on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 with the screening of 2e2: Teaching the Twice Exceptional. The sequel to 2e: Twice Exceptional follows teachers of a school in Los Angeles dedicated exclusively to educating highly gifted students with learning disabilities or differences.

Thank you to Dr. Neuville for organizing this educational opportunity for our faculty, staff, students, and community members! We appreciate the work you do here at the ‘Ville.

Announcements, Lifestyle / Hall Life, Lists

Explore Lancaster County This Family Weekend

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Is your family visiting this Marauder Family Weekend? Programming on campus starts in the early evening on Friday and concludes in the early evening on Saturday. Here is a schedule of the planned activities. After engaging in the exciting events on campus, pack up the car, and take a small road trip as Lancaster County has many hidden gems to explore!

Animal and duck feeding at Long’s Park or Lititz Springs Park

Long’s Park is located at the intersection of Harrisburg Pike and Route 30 and is home to many different activities. The park has a petting zoo, a three-acre lake, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, and much more. Lititz Springs Park is located in downtown Lititz. There’s a stream that runs through the center of the park and a fountain towards the main entrance, playgrounds, a volleyball court, picnic pavilions, a train car, and much more. Both parks are home to ducks, swans, and other animals.

Lancastrian history at Rock Ford Plantation or Hans Herr House Museum
Rock Ford Plantation was the home of Edward Hand, the Adjutant General to George Washington during the American Revolution. Hand had many different hats — one being a slave owner. Rock Ford Plantation partnered with the African American Historical Society of South-Central Pennsylvania to help explore slavery in 18th Century Pennsylvania and better tell the stories of Hand’s slaves. Hans Herr House Museum is the oldest surviving house in Lancaster County. The Museum contains three Pennsylvania German farmhouses, several barns, a blacksmith shop, smokehouse, outdoor bake oven, and farm equipment that spans three centuries. The Longhouse also teaches about the life and culture of the Native Americans who lived here before the Europeans settled in the area.

Ice cream and cows at Pine View Dairy

Pine View Dairy has been a part of the Lancaster County community since 1971. Pine View prides themselves on their fresh milk and homemade ice cream. They offer flavored milk as well as cream line, whole, low fat, and nonfat milk, and over 25 flavors of ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sherbet. Numerous sundaes, milkshakes, and “moo mixers” are also available.

Lancaster Central Market
Lancaster Central Market is the oldest, continuously running public farmers’ market in the country, founded in 1730. The market is open on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. More than 60 vendors call Central Market home, with the three longest-running stands clocking in more than 100 years, 80 years, and 60 years with the market. You’re bound to find what you’re looking for, whether it’s candy and snacks, coffee and tea, farm produce, or ethnic food!

Park City Mall, The Shops @ Rockvale, or Tanger Outlets

Park City Mall has more than 150 stores, a food court, and full and quick service restaurants. The Shops @ Rockvale has over 90 stores, full and quick service restaurants, and a Comfort Inn. Tanger Outlets has over 70 stores and a few places to grab food. You won’t be disappointed, so shop until you drop!

Coffee or tea at Prince Street Cafe
Prince Street Cafe was established in 2006 and is just steps from the Fulton Theater. Breakfast is served all day, there’s a variety of vegetarian and vegan meal options, and drinks include smoothies, hot and cold drinks, and loose leaf tea. With the welcoming atmosphere, Prince Street Cafe will become your go-to cafe if you have classes at the Ware Center downtown.

Breakfast at Lyndon City Line Diner or Knight and Day Diner

Personally, I am a huge fan of diner breakfasts. Both Lyndon Diner and Knight and Day have a wide selection of breakfast including breakfast specials, eggs and omelets, pancakes, french toast, and waffles. Both diners have exceptional lunch and dinner menus as well.

Hiking at Chickies Rock Park
Chickies Rock Park is Lancaster County’s second-largest regional park. The park includes Chiques Creek, Donegal Creek, and parts of the Susquehanna River. The hike to Chickies Rock is roughly half a mile and an easy trail, aside from the steep climb at the beginning. Chickies Rock Overlook is located more than 100 feet above the Susquehanna River and railroad tracks, and because it’s located at a bend in the river, it’s possible to see for miles in every direction.

Images courtesy of Rylan Harvey and Flickr.

Announcements, Intern Spotlight

Meet the Marketing Interns

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For Fall 2019, the Department of Housing and Residential Programs (HARP) has the pleasure of introducing two interns to our team. Lani Rooney is a senior communications major with an option in media and broadcasting. Rylan Harvey is a senior English and philosophy major.

Why did you choose to intern with HARP?

Lani:  I am also an RA for Housing and Residential Programs. I work in Shenks Hall. My supervisor RAD Matt thought that it would be a good idea for me to intern for HARP because of my experience as an RA. I feel that HARP could really benefit from the kind of work I can do as far as making promotional videos and other digital media for the department. I also get to do a bit of research this semester as well as brush up on my content strategy for the web and analytics.

Rylan: I hope to work in higher education after I graduate, and it’s important to understand that universities are both businesses and avenues of knowledge. I chose to intern with HARP because the department lies within that intersection. As the intern and an English major, I have the opportunity to learn how to blog for a business and how to use various social media platforms to reach prospective and current students.

Intern Lani

What is your most memorable experience in the residence halls?

Lani: As a resident, my most memorable experience was probably when I would hang out in the lobby of the residence halls and really get to know my RAs. It made me want to interact with my RAs more and come out to more programs. It’s the small things that really sparked my interest in getting more involved in the halls, so much so that my second semester here, I became an RA. My most memorable moments in the halls now would probably have to be, again, the time I spend with my fellow RAs.

Rylan: I am currently a commuter student, but I transferred from Bloomsburg in the fall of 2015. My RAs at Bloomsburg decked out the hall with Frozen decorations around fall midterms, and I had coincidentally ordered an Olaf onesie around the same time. As soon as I saw the giant painting of Elsa in the lobby, I immediately put on my onesie and started quoting Olaf with my RAs and people in my hall. Later that week, a few people gathered around the TV in the second-floor lounge and watched Frozen.

Intern Rylan

What aspect of the internship are you most looking forward to?

Lani: My specialty is digital media. I love to create storyboards and then go out with a camera to capture footage. My favorite part is to edit it all together into the final project. It will be really rewarding to see how many interactions the final project will get and how much of a return will come to HARP as a result.

Rylan: I’m excited to work on creating blog posts. I have written for Odyssey Online in the past, so I have a background in blogging, but I’m excited to learn how to blog for a business and tailor social media posts and print material to generate exposure and engage my target audience.

Lifestyle / Hall Life, Lists, New / Prospective Students, Resources

10 Things to Complete During Syllabus Week

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Syllabus week is upon us, which means upperclassmen have returned to campus and freshmen have joined the ranks. While everyone gets back into the groove of the semester, there are several things students — both new and returning — should complete before the end of the first week.

Image result for millersville university

1. Buy your textbooks and school supplies.
As sad as I am for the summer to end, I always get a rush of excitement whenever I go shopping for school supplies. New pens, notebooks, and washi tape help get me in the organizational groove. I want to stay on top of my schoolwork when I keep myself organized.

2. Fill in your calendar.
After I receive each syllabus from my professors, I add the important dates into my agenda. This gives me a quick glance of when exams are, papers are due, projects need to be finished, etc. I’m able to plan ahead when I see I have a midterm in three weeks. You can find 2019-2020 academic planners on Amazon for relatively cheap.

3. Place a penny on the Marauder statue.
Whether it’s during syllabus week, midterms, or finals, I’ve found that putting a penny on the Marauder statue issues good luck and helps keep me focused on achieving Dean’s List or acing exams. Some people are skeptical whether it helps or not, but pennies haven’t failed me yet.

4. Meet your Resident Assistants.
While living in the residence halls, the resident assistants (RAs) serve as a peer leader and mentor of the floor and building. Developing a relationship with them will make living on-campus and adjusting to college life easier. RAs spend a significant amount of time developing individual relationships with their residents, implementing community-wide programs, and ensuring the residence hall is an inviting environment for all.

5. Contact Learning Services if you’re eligible for accommodations. 
Not everyone will be, and that’s okay! If you know you’re eligible for certain accommodations, whether it’s extended time for an exam or accessibility in the classroom, Learning Services can help. You can learn about the required documentation here.

6. Choose your preferred place to grab food.
There are several eateries on campus, from the Upper Deck dining hall to retail locations like the Anchor and the Galley. Each location offers something different and a wide variety of choices, so pick your poison: pizza or sushi.

7. Find the quickest way to get from class to class.
If you have a class in Stayer and another in Roddy/Caputo, you won’t want to dillydally on your way to class. Those ten minutes between classes fly by when you’re booking it across campus. There will be some trial and error the first few times your classes meet to see which way is fastest. If you’re finding it difficult to arrive on time, talk to the professor and let them know where you’re coming from — some professors dock points for habitual tardiness, but many understand the size of the campus. You can use this map to help navigate the quickest route.

8. Decide how to spend free time between classes.
Do you have a three-hour break between classes on Tuesday/Thursday? There are multiple opportunities across campus for student employment. Whether you get a job on campus or bunker down in the library to get ahead (or catch up) on homework, you won’t have difficulty finding ways to pass the time.

9. Add your Millersville email to your phone.
Professors will use email as their primary method of communication. Adding your Millersville email account to your phone allows you easy access to anything your professors or the University deems important. If you only use a computer to check your email, you might miss updates from ‘Ville Daily or your Department Chair.

10. Download the Corq and Livesafe apps.
The Corq and Livesafe apps are available on both iPhones and Androids. Corq lets you view on-campus events and activities and narrow your search to see events that offer free food or free stuff. You can also see which residence halls are programming. Livesafe connects you with University Police, uses peer-to-peer location tracking to monitor your friends or family, shows where the latest campus incidents have occurred, and has fast access to safety resources.

Announcements

Fall 2019 Housing Move-In “Movers & Shakers” Volunteers Needed

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The Department of Housing & Residential Programs (HARP) is looking for returning students, staff, faculty, and alumni to serve as volunteer  “Movers & Shakers” for move-in help on Thursday, August 22, 2019 from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Additionally, we are seeking volunteers to also help with our transfer student move-in on Saturday, August 24, 2019 from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Movers & Shakers are responsible for meeting and greeting new students, their families, and helping to move students’ belongings into their rooms in the residence halls.

Student Movers & Shakers will be required to attend a short instructional meeting on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 8:00 PM in the Great Room of South Village.

Benefits of being a volunteer “Mover & Shaker” includes the following responsibilities and benefits:

1. Volunteers who live in the residence halls can move in early on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 between 6:00 – 7:30 PM.
2. A free limited edition t-shirt to identify yourself as a “Mover & Shaker” (*last year’s t-shirt logo is illustrated above)
3. Free continental breakfast served on Thursday and Saturday
4. Free lunch served on Thursday afternoon
5. Students who help on both Thursday and Saturday will receive a special Millersville University promotional item (*last year Saturday volunteers received a cell phone pop socket.)
6. The opportunity to be a servant leader
7. To actively demonstrate our EPPIIC Values as we welcome new students and their families to Millersville University

*** Students: Please note that if you sign up, move into the residence halls early as a Mover & Shaker, and do not participate as promised, you will be billed accordingly for the early move-in period as well as the cost of the shirt. 
If you would like to help, please visit the following page to sign-up:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FPTLBB7

This is an exciting opportunity as it brings our University community together to celebrate the beginning of the new academic year. We hope you’ll be a part of this great tradition!

717-871-4200 | housing@millersville.edu