ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY
WINTER 2016
FAMILY Connections HELPING STUDENTS TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES Returning to campus after winter break can sometimes be a tough period for students and their families. Starting a new semester adjusting to a new schedule and new class expectations - along with the lack of sunshine, short days, and cold weather, often make it tough to keep your spirits up. At the RMU Counseling Center, we know many students (and their families) can feel stressed out at this time of year, so we've gathered some tips and resources we hope will help your student - and you - beat the winter blues. FIRST, GET SOME SUN Getting any amount of sunlight, even if it’s accompanied by cold and snow, can be beneficial for a lot of reasons. First, it provides us with Vitamin D, which is critical to physical health. But did you know that, according to the Mayo Clinic, exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin? Serotonin is strongly associated with boosting your mood and helping you feel calm and focused. According to the World Health Organization, getting anywhere from five to 15 minutes of sunlight on one’s arms, hands, and face two to three times a week can be enough to enjoy the benefits of sun. And don’t
forget, even in the winter, it’s critical to protect your skin with sunscreen if you’ll be out for any extended period! EXERCISE Make a point of being active on a regular, weekly basis. Although it can be hard to feel motivated when it’s cold outside, exercising is strongly associated with physical and mental health. Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of thinking that you can’t exercise if you can’t get outside, or don’t have the right equipment. Visit YouTube or Google for videos with ideas for exercising in your home with no (or minimal) equipment. Practicing yoga - which involves little or no supplies to get started - can improve flexibility, strength, balance, and endurance. But don’t limit yourself to what you can do inside! We love when we see students sled-riding on campus - and don’t underestimate how much that hike back to the top of the hill can get your blood pumping! EAT RIGHT Eating right has a lot of benefits, especially in conjunction with exercise! When it’s cold outside, it can be tempting to stick to “comfort foods” that really aren’t great for us. Regardless of what you’re feeling, what and when you eat has a great effect on your mood
Family Connections is a publication designed for the parents and families of Robert Morris University students. It is compiled by the Office of Student Life and printed in cooperation with the Office of Public Relations and Marketing. Editions are printed in the fall, winter, and spring of each academic year. We are interested in your feedback about this publication. E-mail your comments and suggestions to studentlife@rmu.edu.
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and energy. Studies have shown that eating a healthy, balanced diet throughout the day provides the brain with the fuel that it needs to function better. Unhealthy eating — especially over the long term — can be a risk factor for chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Make sure you are eating a balanced meal consisting of complex carbohydrates (whole wheat breads, brown rice, veggies, and fruit), lean protein (meat, fish, chicken, eggs, dairy, beans, soy foods and), good fat (Omega-3s found in fatty fish such as salmon, trout, catfish, mackerel, as well as nuts). Students can find healthy options in the cafeterias on campus or at a nearby grocery store. STAY SOCIAL Make a point of spending time bonding with family and friends old-or-new. Winter can be great for quality time - indoors or outside - with people you care about. Many students struggle “coming down” from the holiday season after spending time with family and friends at home. Remind your student that college is a place to form lasting friendships and make new memories and traditions - and that simple things like watching movies, playing board games, going out to eat near campus, or just hanging out and talking with friends will quite possibly be the things they one day look back on most fondly. If your student is struggling to meet new people, encourage them join clubs and organizations on-campus - RMU has something for every student’s interests!
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And lastly, now or at any other time of year, make sure to check out our social media to stay in-the-loop about what’s going on at the RMU Counseling Center - both the services we offer students, along with the awesome activities we’ve got going on across campus to promote emotional and mental wellness! PINTEREST PINTEREST.COM/RMUCOUNSELING We have lots of quick, fun, and helpful tips for your student. We really encourage you and your student to consider our Pinterest a one-stop-shop for learning skills and getting ideas to help them when they are struggling. TWITTER TWITTER.COM/RMU_COUNSELING FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/RMUCOUNSELING We publicize Counseling Center events and share resources that might be useful for students and parents. OUR WEBSITE RMU.EDU/COUNSELING We provide in-depth resources and education on mental health and wellness topics such as ADHD, eating disorders, depression and anxiety, suicide, and healthy relationships. INSTAGRAM @RMU_THRIVE Lastly, our Thrive Leaders maintain an Instagram where they post lots of pictures keeping your student up-to-date on what Thrive and the Counseling Center has going on on campus. Your student can follow them @RMU_THRIVE.
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EMBRACE THE OUTDOORS As the winter weather rolls in, being outdoors may not be the first thing to enter the mind for most people. We want you to encourage students to go outdoors and enjoy the frosty season with our outdoor recreational activities that are planned throughout the semester. Our Campus Recreation department offers several opportunities to promote outdoor fun and new, memorable experiences for the students to enjoy.
big winter storm of the season. Hiking events in the local area are also on our schedule this winter. If one must hibernate until spring, we are also offering outdoor activities later in the semester including caving, a Homestead history walk & Banff film festival, and a service outing in April. The RMU Outdoor Adventure Club is sure to add to our programming schedule as well this semester.
Students can still register for snowshoeing on campus on February 20. Students can look for a new date for our annual ski trip to Seven Springs, which was canceled in late January due to the first
Encourage your student to layer up and get outside, because the best way to beat the Winter cold is to embrace it!
RESIDENT STUDENT CARE PACKAGE PROGRAM There is still time to order a care package this semester for your student. These packages are designed to help bridge the gap between home and campus, and show your student support while he/she is away at school. Each package is filled with a variety of themed items and treats that your child is sure to love. As an additional option, you may submit a personal hand-written
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note to accompany your gift. This semester’s line-up consists of the “Out of the Blue” package and the “Spring Finals” package. For more information or to place an order, visit rmu.edu/residencelife and view the Care Package tab.
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HOUSING SELECTION 2016 – 2017 The time of year for students to begin thinking about next year’s housing accommodations is upon us. Students are required to live on campus for at least four semesters, unless they are commuting from home. Information about the Residence Requirement Policy can be found on page 35 of the Guide to Residence Living located on our website.
To secure housing for next year, your student will need to submit a housing contract and a $250 non-refundable housing deposit by March 15, 2016 at 5 p.m. The housing contract and additional housing information is available on rmu.edu/residencelife. Deposits may be paid online within the contract or checks payable to Robert Morris University can be mailed to the university c/o Student Financial Services.
LITTLE SIBLINGS WEEKEND 2016 All siblings, cousins, nieces or nephews ages 8 to 17, are invited to spend a fun filled weekend at Robert Morris University. Throughout the weekend, participants will get the complete RMU experience, including a carnival, basketball game, hockey game, ice skating at the Island Sports Center, and many more activities. All weekend activities are included with your $25 registration fee for each visiting sibling. You can also purchase an official Siblings Weekend T-shirt on our registration page.
If you have any questions, please contact us via email at forrester@rmu.edu or by telephone at (412) 397-5951. We look forward to seeing you for Little Siblings Weekend 2016!
If your sibling is interested in visiting, please complete the registration link provided here: http://goo.gl/forms/PdYcznze9z After completing the online registration form, send the liability waiver form and a check for your registration cost of $25 per sibling to the Office of Residence Life, Attn: Charles Forrester, 6001 University Blvd, Coraopolis, PA 15108. Please register as soon as possible so we may plan accordingly for the activities.
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BEATING THE BLUES: WHAT MULTICULTURAL STUDENT SERVICES CAN OFFER Your student may be in the doldrums due to the cold, blustery weather, but that is no excuse to not get involved on campus. The Office of Multicultural Student Services, in conjunction with multicultural student organizations, has a number of activities available for your student. GUY TALK: RELATIONSHIPS FEB. 23 6 p.m. - Joe Walton Stadium, Room 230 Open to all men on campus. This panel of five men will talk about professional, personal, and romantic relationships and how to make them all work. BLACK STUDENT UNION BUSINESS FAIR FEB. 29 11 a.m. - Nicholson Center Rotunda Local Black owned businesses will be on campus promoting their companies and offering internships.
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GIRL TALK MARCH 15 6 p.m. - Franklin 202 Open to all women on campus. We will be showing the film, The Mask You Live In. DIVERSITY 101 TRAINING MARCH 16 7 p.m. - Sewall Center, Third Floor HOLI FESTIVAL MARCH 21 7 p.m. - PNC Colonial CafĂŠ Celebrate with us the high holiday of Hindus in a traditional and fun way. All members of the university community are welcome to attend. DIVERSITY 102 TRAINING MARCH 23 7 p.m. - Sewall Center, Third Floor Make sure to check out our website for updates on events at rmu.edu/mss or follow us on Twitter at @RMUlticultural
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CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS OFFERS ADVICE FOR STAYING ON TRACK THIS WINTER Snow, ice, cold, wind—these are all adjectives that describe RMU during the winter months (especially wind). It is all too easy to look out of a residence hall window and think, “Today is a good skip day.” Unfortunately, there are many days that make for a “good skip day” and engaging in this behavior will lead to not only poor grades, but also a poor disposition. Falling into the winter funk is something that all students want to avoid. Staying indoors and eating endless bowls of ramen noodles and tuna sandwiches is not healthy—physically or academically. So how do you keep from falling into this behavior pattern? The best piece of advice—get out and get moving. While it is tempting to stay indoors and bunker down, facing the cold and going to class is the best course of action. By doing this, students stay current on each subject, engage in dialogue in the classroom, and develop relationships with the instructor and other students in the class. One other very important side effect is a lower stress level. When students miss class, their stress level goes up because they are worried about what they may have missed. Some students compound this by missing more and more class sessions, until it is too late to catch up.
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Once a student is out on campus and going to class, it is beneficial to visit other departments instead of going back to their room during any breaks. The Center for Student Success is a great place to come and do homework, as is the library in the Patrick Henry building. Tutoring is also offered in the Center for Student Success, so there are multiple benefits to stopping in and completing homework. Visit RoMo’s, the PNC Café, or the café in Wheatley–these are not only great eating spots (not a ramen noodle on the menu), but also a social destination for many students on campus. The fitness centers in Jefferson and Yorktown are also popular spots on campus. During the week/weekends, Student Life offers a variety of programming, from speakers to movies; there is something for everyone…and don’t forget the athletic events at the Sewall Center and Island Sports Center. There are many ways to combat the winter blues at RMU; the key is to get out, get moving, and stay warm!
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GET RID OF THE WINTER BLUES AND READY FOR HOT SUMMER JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS! Participate in the Career Center’s spring line-up of programs that will help to get you noticed. RÉSUMÉ REVIEWS Schedule an appointment with your career counselor to revamp your résumé, making sure it is error free and fully lists all of your accomplishments and activities. PRACTICE INTERVIEWS Don't miss this opportunity to hone your interview skills by receiving honest feedback before you start interviewing for actual positions. CAREER DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES Sign up for an internship seminar or job search strategy workshop, or meet individually with a counselor to talk about your job search plan.
NETWORKING EVENTS Attend one, two, or all of the job fairs and networking events scheduled this spring, including the following: Career Opportunities in Education Wed., March 16 - 4-6 p.m. - Sewall Center Armed Services Job and Resource Fair Fri., March 18 – Noon-4 p.m. - Sewall Center Creativity at Work Conference Thurs., March 31 - 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (Registration Required) – Sewall Center Spring Career Fair Tues., April 5 - Noon- 4 p.m. - Sewall Center Arena Healthcare Career and Networking Event Fri., April 8 – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - Sewall Center Arena All Career Center events and programs are listed on ColonialTRAK and are free of charge to current students and alumni.
REMIND YOUR STUDENT ABOUT THE RMU MOBILE APP Does you student want to be sure they are on time for the shuttle? Encourage them to download the RMU mobile app! Students can time their dash to the shuttle stop and check their class schedules, checksheets, and grades. If they need to call a professor, they can use the
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RMU phone directory, and take advantage of the one-touch phone access to Public Safety and the Operations Center. It can be downloaded for free from iTunes and Google Play app stores.
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STUDENT LIFE Robert Morris University 6001 University Boulevard Moon Township, PA 15108 RMU.EDU
FAMILY Connections UPCOMING EVENTS Visit rmu.edu for the university’s full calendar of events. FEBRUARY Black History Month 22–26 29
RMU Business Week (various events planned) Women’s History Month Kick-Off – 6 – 7 p.m. – Sewall Center Arena
MARCH Women’s History Month & Irish American Heritage Month 7–11 9 13 15 16
18 23 25 28–29 30 31
Undergraduate Spring Break WESTPACS Job Fair – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Monroeville Convention Center Daylight Savings Time begins Girl Talk – 6 p.m. – Franklin 202 Career Opportunities in Education – 4 – 6 p.m. – Sewall Center Diversity 101 – 7 p.m. – Sewall Center Pittsburgh Speakers Series presents Leon Panetta – 8 p.m. – Heinz Hall Armed Services Job & Resource Fair – Noon – 4 p.m. – Sewall Center Women’s History Month Luncheon – Noon – Sewall Center Good Friday Holiday. No Classes. Administrative Offices Closed. Senior Salute – 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Nicholson Center Rotunda PERC Job Fair – 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. - Monroeville Convention Center Creativity at Work – 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Sewall Center