Tag Archives: millersville university housing

Email Etiquette 101: Best Practices for Writing Professional Emails

Emails are often your first opportunity at an effective first impression. Whether it is an advisor or a potential supervisor, it is always important to set an appropriate example of yourself through your emails. Continue reading to get my tips and tricks on how to write a professional email.

Start with a clear subject line: Your subject line should be concise and accurately convey the content of the email. Often, the subject line is neglected in emails. By creating a subject line, you are clearly deciphering what your email is about to the recipient.

Address the recipient properly: Use a formal greeting, such as “Dear [Name]” or “Hello [Title and Name].” Besides your subject line, this is the first thing your recipient is reading. Addressing them correctly and professionally will ensure you present yourself as a respectable person.

Keep it brief and to the point: Professional emails should be concise and focused. Get to the point quickly, and avoid rambling or including irrelevant details. Often, professional advisors and supervisors have countless emails in their inbox from day to day. The last thing they want to do is waste time on reading your email with unneeded information in it.

Use proper grammar and spelling: Double-check your email for any grammatical errors or misspelled words. This will help you come across as more professional and competent. There is nothing more discouraging then emailing with someone who clearly did not proofread their writing.

Be courteous and respectful: Always be polite and respectful when writing professional emails. This includes using appropriate language, avoiding slang or informal expressions, and using a professional tone.

Provide context and clarity: Make sure to provide enough context so the recipient can understand the purpose of the email. Use clear and concise language, and avoid using jargon or technical terms that the recipient may not be familiar with. It is important to get your point across with the correct context without needing to reply on multiple emails.

Use a clear call to action: If you need the recipient to take action, make sure to clearly communicate what you need from them and when you need it by. Again, many supervisors and advisors are responding to countless emails in a day. Clearly requesting what you need from the recipient is extremely important.

Sign off appropriately: Use a professional closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” and include your name and contact information. This will ensure your recipient knows exactly who they are communicating with and how to reach you outside of your email.

Proofread before sending: Always proofread your email before hitting send. This will help you catch any mistakes or errors and ensure that your email is professional and effective. From grammar to dates, you want to make sure every detail of your email is specific and correct.

Remember, the way you communicate in professional emails can have a large impact on your reputation and your success in your career. By following these tips, you can ensure that your emails are professional, effective, and help you achieve your goals.

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Gabrielle Krick is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Management and minor in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include human resources, social media marketing, and content marketing. When she graduates in May 2023, Gabby hopes to work for a large company’s human resources department, specifically representing minorities and the LGBTQ community. She hopes to either stay in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area or move somewhere near Rehoboth, Delaware.  

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10 Motivational Quotes To Get You Through the Rest Of the Semester

It is that time of the semester again, where the post Spring Break blues kick in. While the end of the semester seems so close, impending assignment due dates and school obligations are all but giving us comfort. As a senior, trust me, I get it. So, here are 10 quotes to help get you through the rest of the semester.

  1. “Education is not the learning of many facts, but the training of the mind to think.” – Albert Einstein
  2. “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” – Winston Churchill
  3. “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan
  4. “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
  5. “A little progress each day adds up to big results.” – Satya Nani
  6. “It never gets easier. You just get better.” – Jordan Hoechlin
  7. “Whatever you are, be a good one.” – Abraham Lincoln
  8. “Just remember, you can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger
  9. “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” – Steve Martin
  10. “Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day-in and day-out.” – Robert Collier

While these quotes will not complete your assignments for you, I hope they tell you what you have been needing to hear. We are a short five weeks away from the end of the semester. Keep going Marauders.

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Gabrielle Krick is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Management and minor in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include human resources, social media marketing, and content marketing. When she graduates in May 2023, Gabby hopes to work for a large company’s human resources department, specifically representing minorities and the LGBTQ community. She hopes to either stay in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area or move somewhere near Rehoboth, Delaware.  

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Millersville University Residence Hall Spring Break 2023 Bulletin

Spring Break for the residence halls will begin at 10pm on Friday, March 3, 2023, after night classes. All students planning to stay for Spring Break must register by completing the “Spring Break Application” that is in your MyHousing Account. There is no additional cost to stay over the break, but you must apply to be approved. All students that apply to stay are approved and you will receive an email confirmation once you have completed the application. The application will close at 5pm on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Students not staying for Spring Break can return to the halls starting at 12 noon on Sunday, March 12, 2023.

To complete the application, follow these instructions:

1.     Log into your MAX Account

2.     Select Student Services

3.     Select Housing & Dining

4.     Select MyHousing

5.     In your MyHousing Account, go to the Applications tab on the left side and complete the “Spring Break Application.”

6.     Once you complete the application, you will receive an email stating that your application was completed.

 

The Residence Hall Staff may conduct Health and Safety Inspections in each residence hall suite at the start of the Spring 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.

 

Spring Break Housing Information:

  • Guests and Visitation is not permitted during the break. Guest visitation will start back up at 12noon on Sunday, March 12, 2023.
  • Residence Hall Offices will have limited hours of operation during the break – see front desk for contact information.
  • See Dining Services , Health ServicesThe Hub websites 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.

 

Spring 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.

Have a wonderful and safe Spring Break!

The Dos and Don’ts of Getting Involved In College

One of the most important details of your development as a person while in college, yet one of the most overlooked, is getting involved. For most of us, college is the first extended period we have spent away from home. And while that thought may not invoke intense fear for you, it is still important to recognize this large shift in routine. You may feel right at home at college, or like you have it all figured out from the start, but getting involved on campus can only benefit you in the long run for countless reasons. So, let us discuss the dos and don’ts of getting involved in college.  

To start, use your resources. There is no need for “do’s and don’ts” if you do not even know what your college campus has to offer for clubs and activities. Millersville University makes it simple. Visit https://getinvolved.millersville.edu/ for all your organization, event, and involvement needs. The site is broken down into sections and makes it incredibly simple to sift through clubs and organizations that you may be interested in.  

Begin with the obvious. I have danced my whole life, so the first organizations that I sought out when I arrived on campus were Millersville’s Dance Team and Expressions Dance. It made complete sense, and as a senior, I am happy to say I have spent four amazing years with Expressions Dance and owe it to that club for introducing me to my lifeline friends. Then, go with the not so obvious. Just because you have a club you are set in does not mean that there are not others that are a great match for you as well. For me, that was Her Campus, an organization all about college women using their voices in an online magazine and blog site.  I joined because a dance friend recommended it, went to an info session, and fell in love with their message as a club. I have now been writing for Her Campus for over a year, allowing myself to speak my mind while also gaining blogging experience.  

Differentiate between organizations that are beneficial to your career or are just extracurriculars. Balancing between both is so important; you cannot have fun without the work. So, I recommend joining a club because it is something that you love and then also because it will give you experience. Brownie points if you can find a club that does both. Dance is fun for me, but I have no intention of going into the performance industry. I do however plan to go into the marketing world post-graduation, so, Her Campus has been extremely helpful in this sense with giving me real life blogging opportunities.  

Recognize when you need to step up. No matter if an organization is fun or all business, stepping up into a leadership role is always a great experience. Not only is it a great resume booster, but it is also an amazing opportunity to work with other students and faculty in a more professional sense. I have been lucky enough to be a teacher for Expressions Dance and serve on their board throughout my junior and senior years. This specific experience has taught me immense patience, accountability, and respect for my peers that I work with. As for Her Campus, I have had the pleasure of running their social media pages for the past school year. This has given me so much experience in the marketing aspect, which I have spent the past four years studying and hope to continue with my career.  

While joining an organization can be exciting, it is also important to recognize when it might not be the right fit. This could be due to scheduling conflicts, the amount of time involved, or not what you thought it was going to be, so it is alright to turn down a club. While college schedules are frequently flexible, you do still have a life. From alone time, to homework, and social events, you do not want to take away from these equally important things just because you want to join a club. Burnout is real and while your first year on campus may be jam packed and you made it through just fine, remember you still have at least seven semesters to go. And they only get busier. So be picky with your clubs and only join those few that you know you are either getting important experience from or extreme happiness.  

Despite the immense information just given, it is important to remember that clubs are supposed to be the stress relievers of college. I go to dance, and I forget about that massive project I have due next week and additional stressors that I have. While we are all here for an education, we are also all here for enriching experiences, and those experiences will not just come with sitting in a classroom. Get out of your residence hall, make new friends, and join an organization that you will miss come graduation.  

__________________________________________________________________________  

Gabrielle Krick is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Management and minor in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include human resources, social media marketing, and content marketing. When she graduates in May 2023, Gabby hopes to work for a large company’s human resources department, specifically representing minorities and the LGBTQ community. She hopes to either stay in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area or move somewhere near Rehoboth, Delaware.   

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Residence Hall Thanksgiving Break 2022 Bulletin

Photo by Ann on Unsplash

Thanksgiving Break will begin at 10pm on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, after night classes. All students planning to stay for Thanksgiving Break must register by completing the “Break_Thanksgiving_2022 Application” that is in your MyHousing Account. There is no additional cost to stay over the break, but you must apply to be approved.  All students that apply to stay are approved and you will receive an email confirmation once you have completed the application. The application will close at 3pm on Tuesday, November 22, 2022. Students not staying for Thanksgiving Break can return to the halls starting at 12 noon on Sunday, November 27, 2022.

To complete the application, follow these instructions:

  1. Log into your MAX Account
  2. Select Student Services
  3. Select Housing & Dining
  4. Select MyHousing
  5. In your MyHousing Account, go to the Applications tab on the left side and complete the “Break_Thanksgiving_2022 Application.”
  6. Once you complete the application, you will receive an email stating that your application was completed.

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

  • All University Administrative Offices will be closed on Thursday, November 24, 2022, and Friday, November 25, 2022.
  • Guests and Visitation is not permitted during the break. Guest visitation will start back up at 12noon on Sunday, November 27, 2022.
  • Residence Hall Offices will have limited hours of operation during the break – see front desk for contact information.
  • See Dining Services, Health Services, The Hub websites for hours of operation.
  • The SMC will be closed from 5:00 PM Wednesday, November 23, 2022, until Noon Sunday, November 27, 2022.
  • The Housekeeping and Facilities Management staff may be working in the campus residence halls to perform maintenance tasks during the break that require entrance to resident rooms.

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 72 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.

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving Break!

Residence Hall Winter Break 2021 Bulletin

Winter break housing will start at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2021. The residence halls will be closed during the winter break. The residence halls will reopen on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at 12:00 PM. Resident students who are continuing in the residence halls to spring 2022 may request break housing for all or portions of the winter break by completing the MyHousing registration for Winter Break Housing through your MAX account no later than Noon on Friday, December 3, 2021This includes requests for both the December and January portions of the winter break.

While we do offer winter break housing for residential students continuing into the spring 2022 semester, we encourage you to take full advantage of the break. You must be formally approved through the application process to remain over the winter break. Various approved reasons, include the following:

  • International student status
  • Formal independent status
  • Credit-bearing academic placements
  • Student athletes scheduled for collegiate athletic competition
  • Other reasons will be considered dependent upon legitimate need

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 (RAD) to make that arrangement. If you are not scheduled to live in the residence halls for the spring 2022 semester you are not eligible to request housing during the winter break. Students assigned to continue housing in the residence halls for spring 2022 are not required to surrender residence hall keys to the staff prior to leaving for the break nor need to move out all your belongings.

COVID-19 PREPARATIONS

Those students who may become COVID positive will be required to isolate for 10-days in campus housing designated for isolation. Please be aware that those students approved to remain for winter break housing will have to make their own food purchase and delivery arrangements in the case they need to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19.

SOUTH VILLAGE WATER LINE REPAIR

Special facilities notice to South Village residents requesting and approved for winter break housing:

  • South Village will undergo a water line repair from Monday, January 3rd through and including Tuesday, January 4, 2022. The South Village A wing will not have any water during this time. South Village B, C, and D wings will only have cold water; hot water will be out for the entire South Village. 
  • Resident approved winter break housing in South Village A will have to make alternate arrangements for water during this time due to this scheduled repair.

WINTER BREAK REQUEST INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Open MAX.
  2. Log into your “My Housing” account.
  3. Click on Applications and click the Winter Break application.
  4. Complete the information required.
  5. You must select a reason for requesting break housing from the drop-down menu. If you select other, you must provide a brief explanation it in the next box.
  6. Select “Continue” to submit your application.
  7. You will receive a response in three (3) business days.

GENERAL WINTER BREAK INFORMATION

  • 24-hour quiet hours go into effect at 9:00 PM on Friday, December 3, 2021, and continue through 12:00 PM on Saturday, December 11, 2021.
  • The residence halls will be closed during winter break except for returning residents who have requested and been approved for winter break housing by University Housing & Conference Services.
  • 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 be closed for the holidays from Friday, December 24, 2021, until 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 3, 2022. Residence hall offices will have limited hours of operation during the break. See the front desk of your residence hall for contact information.
  • See Dining Services, Health Services, and SMC websites for hours of operation.
  • For non-urgent police and campus calls during holiday closing times dial (717) 871-4357. For fire, police, and EMS emergencies, always dial 911.
  • Students assigned to continue housing in the residence halls for spring 2022 are not required to surrender residence hall keys to the staff prior to leaving for the break nor need to move out all your belongings.
  • 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 University Housing & Conference Services 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 2021 are assigned to continue in the residence halls for spring 2022 unless you have filed an official withdrawal from the University, filed and been approval for an official leave of absence for spring 2022, filed for leave of absence due to call to active military service for spring 2022, filed or been approved for study abroad for spring 2022, or are a current study abroad visa international student not returning for the spring 2022 semester. All these circumstances require that you are not registered for classes at Millersville University for spring 2022.

WINTER BREAK PREPARATION PROCEDURES

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.

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 an approved animal through Learning Services 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.

Congratulations to our December 2021 graduates!

Happy Holidays and stay safe!

Returning Student Room Assignment Sessions

RETURNING STUDENTS: Want more information about living on-campus for the next academic year? Come to one of our upcoming room assignment sessions:

WEDNESDAY MAY 12th at 6pm

Link: https://millersville.zoom.us/j/94843301185

FRIDAY MAY 14TH at 3pm

Link: https://millersville.zoom.us/j/92894348941

We can’t wait to see you on campus in the fall!

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Lydia Shaloka is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing.  When she graduates in May 2021, Lydia hopes to work for a digital marketing agency either in or near her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

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University Housing and Conference Services Staff Spotlight: Gabby Vaxmonsky

Millersville’s Department of University Housing and Conference Services is proud to showcase our staff and all of the incredible work they do to make the residence halls at Millersville safe and a great environment for students to live and learn in. This week’s staff spotlight pick is graduate assistant Gabby Vaxmonsky. Continue reading to learn more about Gabby, what she loves about being a graduate assistant in South Village, and her advice to students.

Q: What made you want to become a Graduate Assistant (GA)?

Gabby: I’m originally from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area of PA so coming to grad school, I knew no one and I wanted a way to not only feel more connected to the University but also build stronger connections to fellow students. I felt becoming a GA would provide that opportunity and what better way than working with a team of students and professional staff members like that in Housing!

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of being a GA?

Gabby: By far the most rewarding part has been building connections and friendships with my fellow team members in South Village. Especially this past year, I think we have all been able to lean on and support each other through these challenging times. Building those connections and being able to learn and grow together has been both rewarding and also something I am extremely grateful for.

Q: How have you been handling everything caused by COVID-19?

Gabby: I have been leaning on my friends and family, but also my teammates in Housing. We are working in-person within the safety guidelines of COVID-19 so having others around that know what that is like can be beneficial if you need someone to talk too. I have also been remembering to be kind to myself and give myself/others grace when it comes to certain things. I keep myself accountable but also don’t beat myself up if I don’t get to something in a day. It is important to remember that we are all just doing the best we can with what we have.

Q: Do you have any tips for succeeding academically given the various changes?

Gabby: Most important is your mental health. If you aren’t taking care of that, and your basic needs, you won’t be able to be successful academically. Reach out early if you know you are starting to struggle and communicate that with your professors. They are more likely to be able to help if they know of concerns sooner rather than later. Also, even though the University is predominately virtual, there are still a wealth of academic and mental health resources available. As a plug for our amazing RA’s, they can connect you with any number of those resources.

Q: Why should students consider working as a Resident Assistant (RA) or GA in the residence halls?

Gabby: You will gain a rewarding experience and long-lasting relationships that will follow you into your career. Coming into Housing I wasn’t sure what to expect because it’s a new experience for me. I am constantly surprised with how much I learn with my GA that transfers over to my area of study, School Psychology. Additionally, you will gain and develop valuable skills that carry over into any career path, such as leadership, flexibility, responsibility, and time-management.

___________________________________________________________________________

Lydia Shaloka is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing.  When she graduates in May 2021, Lydia hopes to work for a digital marketing agency either in or near her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

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Apply Today to Work as a Summer Conference Assistant!

Apply today to work as a Summer Conference Assistant!

Looking for a summer job and want a free room on-campus? Summer Conference Assistants (SCA’s) provide desk and operational support for University guests residing in the residence halls during the summer conferencing period. Learn more by viewing our application. The deadline to apply is May 1st, 2021. 

Visit https://www.millersville.edu/housing/student-info/student-employment.php to apply, or scan here:

___________________________________________________________________________

Lydia Shaloka is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing.  When she graduates in May 2021, Lydia hopes to work for a digital marketing agency either in or near her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

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Follow us on social media:

Twitter: @villehousing. Twitter QR Code:

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