Family Connections - August 2017

ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY

FALL 2017

FAMILY Connections BREAKING GROUND Welcome to a new year at Robert Morris University. We are excited to welcome the Class of 2021, as well as our new transfer students, to campus; it is great to see our upperclass students making their way back to campus as well.

It has been a busy summer on campus and we are excited to get the fall semester started. The new Student Recreation and Fitness Center will open soon at the North Athletic Complex and a new seating area and outdoor fireplace will be completed this fall thanks to the support from the Class of 2015.

Please take an opportunity to review this issue of Family Connections as you gear up for the start of a new semester. This issue contains valuable information to help your student get off to a good start. Encourage your son/daughter to be active on campus this year. There are over 170 opportunities on campus for students to be active and involved in student organizations, club sports teams, as campus leaders, as contributors to campus publications, and as members of performance

groups. Advise your student to get the most out of his/her college experience – both inside the classroom and out. The faculty and staff at RMU look forward to providing support along the way.

In closing, I look forward to welcoming you as you arrive on campus over the next couple of weeks. It is an exciting time to be part of the Colonial family.

John Michalenko Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students

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. Email your comments and suggestions to studentlife@rmu.edu.

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TOGETHER WE ARE “RMUNITED” Greetings students and families! The Office of Multicultural Student Services’ purpose is to foster a sense of community within students, faculty, staff, and community of all races, genders, and national origins. We are committed to creating an environment where individual differences are embraced, everyone holds an inclusive mindset, and all students, despite their differences, feel free to plunge themselves in the RMU “One Campus” experience. We take this to heart, and we are committed to providing the necessary programs and services to assure our mission is met. Multicultural Student Services seeks to enhance the college experience for all

Robert Morris University students by introducing them to the benefits of diversity.

There are a number of opportunities and activities for students to get involved in that promote and encourage inclusivity. Visit rmu.edu/mss for updates on upcoming events.

We encourage all students to come out for the sixth annual De La Gente Festival on Sunday, September 3. Festivities will begin at noon at the Gazebo and Sand Volleyball Courts.

COLONIAL CASH Colonial Cash is a safe and convenient alternative to carrying cash or credit cards, and is available to all university students.

Colonial Cash can be loaded onto your Freedom Card and used for purchases both on campus, at our dining locations, RMU Bookstore and select vending machines, and off campus at the Moon Township locations of Giant Eagle, GetGo, Pizza Roma, Fox’s Pizza, Buford’s Kitchen, and Vocelli Pizza.

Benefits of Colonial Cash: • Colonial Cash does not expire at end of each semester.

• Users only need their Freedom Card to make purchases at participating off-campus stores. No need to carry cash, a debit, or credit card.

• No sales tax when making purchases at campus dining locations.

• Colonial Cash can be reloaded at any time with no additional fees or minimums.

• Students can purchase their textbooks and RMU apparel at the RMU Bookstore using Colonial Cash.

To load Colonial Cash onto your Freedom Card, or to learn more, visit rmu.edu/colonialcash.

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PARENT CLASS GIFT SUPPORT As a recent graduate and co-chair for the 2017 class gift, I know firsthand the impact that parents have on the college experience. My parents went through it all with me – freshmen Move-In Day, late night phone calls for advice on how to juggle classes and activities, and cheering me all the way to the graduation stage. It was on that stage that my fellow Student Philanthropy Ambassador Cassidy Baker and I were able to present President Howard with the class gift. After a year of fundraising, it felt great! But it wasn’t just my fellow seniors helping to support various campus funds – it was our parents too. Parents contributed 36% of our overall total dollars for class gift, putting us closer to our goal.

Parents play a vital role in not just helping us navigate this chapter in our lives, but in financially supporting our university. Supporting RMU means supporting all of us. Parents, I encourage you to help further our experiences by giving. You can give to the RMU Parent Fund or, if you are a parent of a graduating senior, honor your student and give to the senior class gift.

Thank you to all the parents for your continued support and constant stream of encouragement.

Emylee Milani ,17

RMU BOOKSTORE The RMU Bookstore, operated by Barnes & Noble, is the on-campus one stop shop for all of your school needs. Located on the first floor of the Nicholson Center, The RMU Bookstore offers textbooks, merchandise, spirit-wear, and gifts for your whole journey. With a variety of options for all textbook needs, including new, used, rental, and digital textbooks, as well as an all new price match program, our staff is here to help you find the best option for each class.

The bookstore also appears at various events on campus, from athletic events to graduation, and hosts special events throughout the year.

Visit the bookstore at robert-morris.bncollege.com STORE HOURS: Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (closed Sunday)

ARE YOU AN RMU LEGACY? Is your father, mother, or grandparent an RMU alum? If so you are a member of the RMU legacy family. Each year the Office of Alumni Relations hosts special events specifically for RMU legacies and their families. So if you’re a legacy, we want to make sure you are on our invitation list.

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Contact the Office of Alumni Relations at rmualum@rmu.edu or 412-397-6464 to let us know that you are a part of the RMU legacy family.

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RMU OFFERS PENNSYLVANIA ACT 101 PROGRAM The Act 101 program is a Pennsylvania grantfunded program that began in the early 1970s to assist PA residents with the transition to Higher Education and to help educate them to become future leaders. The program offers a variety of educational, leadership, and cultural opportunities for students to take advantage of throughout the year, including but not limited to, service events, cultural events, such as PNC’s

Broadway in Pittsburgh shows, and educational and leadership workshops. The program at RMU has offered many exciting opportunities FREE OF CHARGE to its students for over 30 years. If your student is invited to participate in this program, encourage them to take advantage of all that Act 101 has to offer. The ACT 101 Program at RMU is coordinated by the Center for Student Success.

STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE REMINDER FOR 2017–18 Please be sure that your student has provided the university with current insurance information for the 2017 – 2018 academic year. The university requires that all traditional undergraduate students, both full and part time, carry health insurance comparable to the established RMU health insurance plan that is provided by UPMC Health Plan. Please note that travel insurance is not considered comparable coverage.

Your student can visit rmu.edu/studentinsurance.

Choose the “student insurance” option and log into Sentry Secured Services using the student’s username and password. Once in Sentry Secured Services, scroll down to the 2017-2018 Academic year, and select “add” or “update” and complete the online form to provide his/her insurance information. This information is automatically sent to the RMU Student Health Services staff at the UPMC MyHealth@School center.

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Students who do not provide proof of comparable insurance coverage by July 31, 2017 will be automatically enrolled in the RMU Student Plan provided by UPMC Health Plan and the annual cost of $1,918 will be charged to their RMU Student Account.

Students enrolled in the plan will receive their insurance card directly from UPMC Health Plan once the university has provided the carrier with the enrollment information. The insurance card will be imprinted with the RMU logo.

Please contact 412-397-6220 with any questions regarding the university’s health insurance requirement.

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FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES Facilities Management would like to welcome students and families to Robert Morris University.

We are the caretakers of your student’s home away from home. Some of our department's responsibilities included routine and preventative maintenance, grounds and athletic field maintenance, waste management and recycling, snow removal, energy management, capital projects and construction, safety programs and inspections, environmental services, conferences and facilities services, athletic event support and much more.

Facilities Management is focused on customer service and is the home of Colonial Central (CC), the communication and information hub of university facility projects and maintenance. The friendly staff of CC will help your student if something goes wrong in their residence hall, such as fix his/her air conditioner or retrieve his/her lost Freedom Card when it falls down the crack of the elevator. Contact information stickers for Colonial Central have been placed in every residence hall on campus so your student can always see our 412-397-4343 phone number if they happen to forget it. The helpline will answer 24 hours a day seven days a week. We’ll be there for your student when you can’t. In an emergency situation, your student should contact RMU police at 412-397-2424.

In an effort to help students become more self-reliant the RMU Environmental Services is pleased to offer the ResPack. The pre-assembled bucket contains disposable gloves, paper towels, all-purpose cleaner and a brush and dustpan.

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Other items like vacuums, mop, carpet spot remover and oven cleaner are also available but are in limited supply. Cleaning supplies can be picked up at the Facilities Service Center, which is located off campus behind Giant Eagle at 300 Grant Drive. The RMU student shuttle does stop near our building. Students may call Colonial Central at 412-397-4343 throughout the year to reserve a ResPack.

Two new projects Facilities is excited to work on are the new Student Recreation and Fitness Center and the UPMC Event Center. Once complete, the new rec center will be located on the current North Athletic Complex grounds.

This state-of-the-art facility will provide students with new recreational and fitness opportunities, expanded wellness programs, and enhanced intramural sports. It will be fully equipped with all the amenities of a first-rate center with approximately 40,000 square feet of programming and exercise space. It will also provide dedicated space for men’s and women’s soccer and women’s softball programs.

The new 140,000-square-foot UPMC Events Center will replace the Sewall Center. The 4,000-plus-seat arena, called Peoples Court, will provide a competitive facility for the NCAA Division I Colonials basketball and volleyball programs and will add a modern convention and meeting space for the Pittsburgh West/Airport Corridor region.

For more information about the Facilities Management Department and our building projects visit rmu.edu/facilities.

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VAULT! A NEW CAREER DEVELOPMENT RESOURCE The Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) is excited to announce a new resource that will be available to RMU students and alumni beginning August 2017. Vault is a comprehensive career resource that includes the following: INDUSTRY AND PROFESSION OVERVIEWS information about what it is really like to work within a specific industry or profession including experience needed, skills, education and training requirements, salary information, and more INDUSTRY, CAREER, AND EMPLOYER GUIDES more than 100 titles of award-winning career guides, including interview strategies, job search tips, and full-length profiles of leading companies RANKINGS AND PROFILES in-depth profiles and rankings for top employers and internship programs, which combine the inside perspective of anonymous reviews from active employees and interns with expert context from Vault's editors JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS access to exclusive internship and job postings nationwide, career articles, blogs, and videos- career advice to assist with the job search process

The addition of Vault will allow the CPDC to transition from a traditional career library to online resources, which will increase accessibility to career and industry information. Students and alumni may obtain information on how to access Vault through rmu.edu/careercenter.

Vault will also complement existing resources available through the CPDC, including the career coaching staff and ColonialTRAK. Career coaches are available for individual appointments with students to facilitate the process of exploring academic major and career options, developing résumés, cover letters and other professional communication tools, and conducting an effective internship or job search. Career coaches also encourage students to utilize ColonialTRAK, the CPDC’s registration and job posting system.

ColonialTRAK provides access to announcements for on-campus and regional workshops, networking events and job fairs; on-campus recruiting information; and postings for work-study, part-time, internship, and fulltime positions entered by the CPDC. For a complete list of CPDC services and resources, please visit our website.

RESUME AND INTERVIEW TIPS sample résumés, cover letters, and interview questions

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UPMC MYHEALTH@SCHOOL Services are free to all currently enrolled students.

A student never needs an appointment and there is never an insurance requirement or copay when visiting the center. A full-time nurse is onsite during the center’s hours of operation to assist with acute health issues and minor injuries. A student can also be seen by an Advance Practice Provider using the state-of-the-art Telemedicine technology located in Jefferson Center.

Referrals will be provided to community resources for emergency care of specialized services. Our staff can help coordinate care with the student’s primary care physician as needed.

Students will have access to wellness resources to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle while away from home.

Students are encouraged to make MyHealth@School their first stop when feeling ill, or if they just have questions for the staff. All information is kept strictly confidential. Visit the center’s website at rmu.edu/studenthealth to learn more, and please feel free to direct any questions regarding our services to the center staff at 412-397-6220.

SELF CARE SUPPLIES The UPMC MyHealth@School center suggests that there are some things your student should not leave home without. Please supply your son/daughter with a small first aid kit. This kit should include Band-Aids, Tylenol and/or Advil, reusable ice pack, thermometer, a flash light with batteries, and a three day supply of food items and water, as well as a supply of daily prescribed medications. Do not forget to include some items for sick days such as a canned soup, crackers, and

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Gatorade. For your student’s convenience, our RoMo’s Café does have sick day food supplies available for purchase throughout the academic year.

One of the most important items to bring is selfcare knowledge. Be sure to talk with your student about how to handle sickness, medical issues, and emergency situations should they arise. .

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CONNECTING WITH YOUR SPIRITUAL SIDE The RMU Campus Ministry Association (CMA) welcomes all new and returning students and their families to campus. The mission of CMA is to assist and enhance the spiritual development of the RMU community. The association is blessed with many religious leaders and volunteers who generously serve students, faculty, and staff throughout the year by listening to their needs while providing diverse

programming. Transitioning into college life can be challenging and sometimes faith can get lost along the way. All students are encouraged to take a couple minutes to complete our religious survey that will be sent early in the fall semester.

The purpose of the survey is to connect students with our Campus Ministry Association members at the start of the year. For more information and a link to the survery, visit rmu.edu/cma.

ADJUSTING TO CAMPUS LIFE Adjusting to campus life can be a stressful time for both students and their parents. Knowledge is power when it comes to taking care of your mental health. Knowing your resources and being prepared for potential challenges can help your student to feel confident about taking charge of his/her mental health.

3 Connect with others. The Counseling Center has a student leadership group called Thrive.

Thrive Leaders put on events throughout the year, including monthly Wellness Wednesdays.

Attending events is a great opportunity to meet other people and to learn about what the Counseling Center has to offer.

1 Consult your student’s doctor. If your student is taking prescription medication, talk to the doctor before arriving on campus. Can the doctor supply enough refills until the next appointment? What is their procedure if your student needs the medication adjusted? Talking with the doctor now about these issues can save time and stress should medication be needed while away at school.

4 Fill up your wellness toolbox! Every Wednesday at 4 p.m., the Counseling Center will be hosting a workshop for students to talk and learn about common stressors and how to manage college life.

2 Don’t wait! Suggest your student reach out to the Counseling Center if feeling homesick, down, stressed or overwhelmed. Early intervention can help them get back to feeling well faster. The Counseling Center can help explore options for how your student is feeling and work with him/her to come up with a plan.

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5 Have a crisis plan. Be sure your student knows how to find the Counseling Center and be aware that the Area Coordinators or University Police are always available for a mental health emergency after hours.

6 Play with a puppy! The Counseling Center has its own therapy dog in training, Violet! She loves to greet students and their families and can typically be seen without an appointment.

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WELCOME TO THE OFFICE OF ENGAGED LEARNING AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT (ELCI) At Robert Morris University learning takes place inside and outside of the classroom. While students earn academic credit for the courses they successfully complete, they also become involved in many activities on and off campus that help to shape them into successful young professionals and engaged citizens. These “co-curricular” learning activities are captured on RMU’s Student Engagement Transcript (SET).

The Office of Engaged Learning & Community Involvement is a newly established office that works with each undergraduate student to help him/her fulfill the SET graduation requirement.

Your student can choose from hundreds of co-curricular learning activities to fulfill his/her SET graduation requirement. Students must fulfill the requirements of two out of six categories on the SET in order to graduate.

Categories include: Arts, Culture and Creativity; Leadership; Professional Experience; Service; Transcultural and Global Experiences; and Undergraduate Research. Students can choose the categories and activities that most interest them and which best meet their educational and career goals. A seventh optional category captures all other student involvement. The ELCI tracks all of your student’s activities for the SET. Upon graduation RMU provides an official Student Engagement Transcript document to each student along with his/her academic transcript.

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Activities captured on the SET are as diverse and numerous as RMU’s student body. Internships, volunteer community service, study abroad, serving as the captain of an athletic team, participating in a theater production, serving as president of a student club, and partnering with a faculty member on a research project are just a few examples. Through each of these activities your student is challenged to engage in campus and community life beyond the classroom, and learn and grow as a result.

Students will be learning about SET requirements when they arrive on campus.

Detailed information can be found at rmu.edu/set. ELCI staff members are available to guide students in fulfilling their SET graduation requirement. The ELCI Office is located in the Student Life suite on the second floor of Nicholson Center, near the student mailboxes. Encourage your student to stop in to talk with ELCI staff.

We look forward to working with your student and helping him/her meet the Student Engagement Transcript graduation requirement.

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UNIVERSITY POLICE The Robert Morris University Police Department, located at the Barry Center, is a fullservice law enforcement agency. It is staffed with sixteen sworn police officers certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Under the direction of the Chief of Police, all RMU officers have full arrest powers and receive training just as other local law enforcement officers would and are dedicated to providing first-class service to the community.

The objective of the department is to ensure and maintain a safe campus environment while providing you with as much assistance as possible. The department is comprised solely of a patrol division with access to marked police vehicles, golf carts and bicycles for patrolling the campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

All officers are responsible for crime prevention, traffic and parking enforcement, community policing, vehicle jump starts and lock outs, safety escorts, and fingerprinting, to name a few services.

Our Police Department is charged with creating a safe and secure environment. This task, however, is not one we can accomplish alone.

Our efforts to maintain a safe and secure environment rely on our ability to develop collaborative relationships with the many communities that make up the university.

The telephone number for the RMU Police Department is 412-397-2424 or Ext 2424 using any University phones on campus. This number is used for emergency purposes as well as routine business calls.

More information on the Campus Police Department is available at rmu.edu/police, and we hope you will find your stay at Robert Morris University to be both pleasant and safe.

RMU FAMILY WEEKEND: OCTOBER 20 – 22, 2017 Mark your calendars! Visit rmu.edu/familyweekend for more information and to check out the event schedule. We hope you can join us!

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CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS: HERE FOR EVERY STUDENT FROM ORIENTATION TO GRADUATION The Center for Student Success is committed to empowering each student on their collegiate journey by caring for and connecting with students from orientation through graduation.

For INCOMING FIRST YEAR STUDENTS - This fall your student will be enrolled in FYSP1000, the First-Year Seminar Program. This course is designed to introduce new students to campus life and prepare them for college-level academics.

Each course section is assigned a peer mentor and an instructor to help with the integration into campus life. Students should be on the lookout for ways to earn assignment points before class starts!

Questions? Contact Lauren Speerhas at speerhas@rmu.edu or 412-397-6869.

RMU’s TUTORING PROGRAM is certified by the College Reading and Learning Association. All tutors take part in an intensive training program at the start of each semester and continue to train throughout the year. Tutors are peer tutors, which means they are undergraduate students who have taken the courses they tutor, have earned a “B” or higher, and have an overall QPA of at least a 3.0.

Tutoring is free and is offered on a walk-in, firstcome, first-served basis. The schedule is posted online and is also available in the Center for Student Success. Tutoring hours are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays by appointment. Tutoring is available for all traditional and transfer undergraduate students.

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As a NEW TRANSFER STUDENT, counselors in the Center for Student Success can help to make a smooth transition to RMU. During the Fall Orientation, a transfer student session is offered by the counselors in the Center. The session is geared to help students immediately recognize their support systems at RMU and to know the location and function of the support offices. It is to function as a bridge between where you have come from and where you are now. Details for this year’s program on Saturday, August 26, will be communicated to Transfer students on an individual basis. Robert Morris University is committed to equal opportunity for all students and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to or treatment in its programs and activities.

In a postsecondary education environment, students are responsible for self-disclosure, communicating needs, and providing appropriate documentation to the coordinator of SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. To learn more about receiving academic, classroom, housing, dining or temporary accommodations at RMU, please call Grace Novacek at 412-397-6884 and visit rmu.edu/ssd.

The staff members in the Center for Student Success are committed to RMU students.

Encourage your student to learn more about our resources or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-397-6862.

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IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT COLLEGE BEHAVIOR “I want you to always drive like I’m in the car with you.” Those were the sage words of advice my father gave to me the day I received my driver’s license. Just a few months later, I had wrecked his car after making some poor decisions while driving. What changed? My father wasn’t there to remind me of his expectations for the decisions I made while behind the wheel of a car.

Just like teaching a teen how to drive, parents are challenged with a limited amount of time to raise a child to their expectations before sending them off into the world to make decisions for themselves.

We all hope they make the decisions we would want them to make.

Just as if they were driving around in the family car with their friends, your student while on campus is challenged with making decisions on their own without parental supervision. When left to their natural devices, sometimes even the most well-behaved and responsible 18-year-old high school students can make illogical or dangerous decisions as an 18-year-old college student. Being a college student can be a very different experience than the previous 18 years in your home. It is very much possible that your student has already encountered several situations they never encountered while in high school. These could involve decisions regarding alcohol, drugs, relationships, and sex. Many behaviors students believe to be common or socially acceptable in college can actually jeopardize their status with the university.

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Robert Morris University has a transparent student conduct process, meaning our standards for conduct and the process to enforce those standards are available online without password access. A quick review of the 24 categories of behavior deemed to be violations show that most would result in citations or arrests if caught by a police officer. Robert Morris University takes pride in providing a safe campus and holding students accountable for actions detrimental to the campus community. It should also be noted that RMU’s student conduct process is mutually exclusive of the criminal process. Students may be found responsible for violations without facing similar criminal charges. For legal enthusiasts, the relationship is very much similar to criminal guilt vs. civil liability. Our student conduct process is adjudicated by a trained professional rather than a judge in a court of law and the process determines whether a student is found “responsible” based on “a preponderance of evidence” showing it’s more likely than not that the student committed the violation. This differs from common American criminal court that looks for evidence “beyond a reasonable doubt” that a person is “guilty” of a crime. Students are permitted to have parents attend conduct hearings, but because conduct hearings are not legal hearings attorneys are not permitted to be present.

The most frequent student conduct violation on most campuses is underage drinking.

Pennsylvania like every other state has a minimum drinking age of 21 years that must be enforced. Additionally, the university has a reasonable policy for the legal use of alcohol on

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campus – particularly in residence halls.

Students who are found responsible for drinking alcohol while under the legal drinking age are given educational sanctions to help them make appropriate decisions in the future. These can include disciplinary probation, alcohol education, and community service. When a student is found responsible for a third alcohol violation, it is possible they could be suspended from the residence halls or attending the university for one year.

Robert Morris University takes student narcotics and drug use seriously. Despite growing public social support for legalization, marijuana remains illegal in Pennsylvania and against university policy. Students found responsible for marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia possession could face

suspension from the residence halls for one year.

Repeated drug violations can result in suspension from the university. RMU has zero tolerance for weapons or threats to the safety of the campus.

Either violation could result in suspension from the university for at least one year.

How will your student act when they encounter situations involving illegal conduct (such as alcohol or drugs) or those involving conduct incongruent to your family’s values? With this in mind, please remember it’s never too late to have that conversation about your expectations for your student’s behavior while attending RMU. For more information on RMU’s student conduct process, visit rmu.edu/conduct.

INDIVIDUALS MATTER AT RMU RMU recognizes its obligation to its students, employees, partners, and the general public to maintain the highest ethical standards. Students are strongly encouraged to report instances where they feel unsafe, see something wrong, or have a concern about unethical or inappropriate behavior.

Please direct your student to report issues and concerns to the appropriate university department or official immediately. Students can always receive assistance from an RMU Police Officer at 412-397-2424 or direction from the Office of Student Life at 412-397-6483.

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RMU has partnered with EthicsPoint to provide a simple, risk-free way to anonymously and confidentially report activities that may involve unethical or otherwise inappropriate activity or behavior in violation of university policies.

Students are encouraged to report issues directly to university officials, but when that is not feasible or appropriate, reports submitted through EthicsPoint will be forwarded to university personnel for prompt and appropriate investigation, follow-up and response. Individuals may file a report with the university through the RMU website at rmu.edu/EthicsPolicy or by calling EthicsPoint at 800-963-5593.

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GIVE THEM THE KEYS TO OUR CAR INSTEAD Sending your son or daughter to college can be stressful and having a car on campus is just one more thing to worry about. Luckily, with Zipcar, students can have wheels when they want them without the hassles of owning a car.

Zipcar is a service that allows students at least 18 years old to reserve and drive cars by the hour or day. Zipcars are parked right on campus and gas

and insurance are included with every reservation. So, when your student needs to make a trip to the store or to come home for a weekend, they can grab a Zipcar.

To sign up for just $15 or learn more, visit rmu.edu/zipcar.

OTHER WAYS TO GET AROUND TOWN ZTRIP Black Car and Taxi Service: A new option for students that works much like Uber and Lyft. Due to our location students are encouraged to book in advance using the ‘later’ tab on the app - this will ensure a timely pick up. There is no surge pricing; zTrip offers the same low price every time. zTrip offers professional, licensed drivers that are fully insured and have undergone background checks.

SUPER SHUTTLE Super Shuttle is Pittsburgh’s doorto-door Airport shuttle service. Students are offered a 10% university discount when reserving a shuttle. Call in or make a reservation online or through the Super Shuttle app.

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COMPLIMENTARY ROBINSON SHOPPING SHUTTLE RMU offers a complimentary shuttle that will take students to and from the Robinson Township shopping district. The shuttle runs every other weekend and is a great way to experience other areas close to campus. This fall the shuttle will run during the following weekends: September 8 and 22, October 13 and 27, November 10, and December 1. Drop off and pick up locations are at the Ikea in Robinson Town Center, the Mall at Robinson, and the Panera Bread in Settler’s Ridge.

Schedules are available online at www.rmu.edu/shuttle-schedules.

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RMU DINING SERVICES PNC COLONIAL CAFÉ Monday – Thursday 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Friday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

ROMO’S CAFÉ Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – Midnight Saturday 7:30 a.m. – Midnight Sunday 2 p.m. – Midnight

HALE CAFÉ Monday – Thusday 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Friday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WHEATLEY CAFÉ Monday – Thursday 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Friday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

YORKTOWN CAFÉ Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – Midnight Saturday – Sunday 9 a.m. – Midnight

ISLAND SPORTS ICE HOUSE BISTRO Monday – Friday 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

RMU Dining Services is committed to providing a best in class dining experience for our community.

We proudly offer the freshest ingredients sourced from local farms, prepared by our passionate chefs for well-rounded meal options that meet the needs of a dynamic campus life.

RMU requires all resident students to purchase a dining plan since we believe that a sense of community and a commitment to healthy eating are both key to the success of our students. Our dining locations provide convenient gathering places of our campus community, and our chefs are able to deliver delicious, healthy meals that can be carefully tailored to accommodate the individual dietary needs of our students.

Our dining locations are designed to maximize the potential for students to meet, study, and eat together. Everything sold in our dining locations can be purchased using dining plan dollars.

PNC COLONIAL CAFÉ NICHOLSON STUDENT CENTER Our PNC Colonial Café food court offers a wide variety and selection of meal options with customized menus for each station featuring Firehouse Grill, Freshen’s, and Rustica Pizza, and many rotating stations that offer a variety of cuisines from around the world.

ROMO’S CAFÉ’ NICHOLSON STUDENT CENTER RoMo’s is our on-campus convenience store and specialty sandwich shop. This casual dining place is a great place to hang out with friends and meet with faculty and student groups. RoMo’s offers hot and cold specialty sandwiches and wraps, salads, coffee/teas, bakery items and an oncampus convenience store for your dorm needs.

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HALE CENTER CAFÉ HALE CENTER Hale Café is our on-campus Starbucks coffee shop for that much needed Latte or Frap! Hale Café also offers our signature On-the-Go pastries, salads, and sandwiches.

WHEATLEY CAFÉ WHEATLEY CENTER Wheatley Café features our very own Chef’s Table, designed for an up close and personal dining experience. Sit and interact with our Wheatley chefs as they prepare your lunch. Our Chef’s Table is available from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. offering favorite daily specials prepared right before your eyes.

YORKTOWN CAFÉ 8256 UNIVERSITY BLVD. Yorktown Café is the hub of social activity for our residents. Enjoy a hand-dipped milkshake at our milkshake bar, wings, burgers, fresh cut fries, pizzas and salads. With our large TVs, it is the perfect place to catch a game with friends.

ICE HOUSE BISTRO RMU ISLAND SPORTS CENTER Located in the home of our Division I RMU Colonials hockey teams, the Ice House Bistro offers fresh, made-to-order, sandwiches, salads and pizzas made in an open hearth oven. Our signature On-the-Go items and a variety of sports drinks and Starbucks favorites are served daily.

We provide nutrition, variety, and flexibility. Food allergies or preferences can be accommodated in all locations. Contact the Center for Student Success at center4success@rmu.edu or 412-397-6862 to discuss food allergies or other dietary requirements.

We also offer student catering, party packs, bakery orders, and student job opportunities.

Visit rmu.edu/dining for more information.

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TOOLS/TIPS TO BECOME A RESIDENTIAL STUDENT Welcome to Residence Life at RMU! We can’t wait for move in day and your student’s arrival to campus! We know waiting for the housing assignment, learning about roommates, figuring out meal plans, and packing for the move away from home is an exciting but stressful time. We want to make your transition into having a student living on campus as easy as possible. Our website, RMU.edu/reslife, is a great tool for learning about everything that comes with having a residential student. By using our website, you will be able to answer many of the questions your family has about living on campus, see pictures of rooms, change your meal plan, learn about our staff, and answer your important questions.

TIP Always check the Guide of Residence Living on our website for any questions about your residential experience. The guide will have all the answers!

TIP First Year & Transfer Students move in is August 24 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Sewall Center 3rd Floor.

TIPS This year you can send you student a“Get Well” package if they are feeling under the weather.

TIP Yorktown Hall has double beds in the rooms while all other rooms on campus have twin XL beds.

Always feel free to contact the Office of Residence Life at 412-397-5252 or through email at reslife@rmu.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!

TIP Always feel free to come to the Office of Residence Life to meet our professional staff.

TIP If your student is interested in becoming a Community Advisor they can start applying in October.

TIP You can compare meal plan and housing prices and find the best option for your student on the Room and Board Fees page.

TIP You can change your meal plan in the housing contract until Sept. 1.

FILE 2018-19 FAFSA EARLY Did you know you can file the 2018-19 FAFSA as earyly as October 1, 2017?

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Visit rmu.edu/finaid for more details.

RMU.EDU

CARE PACKAGE PROGRAM REMINDS YOUR STUDENT OF HOME Sending your student to college, for the first or even third time, can be an exciting as well as nerve wracking time of the year. College is a time that is filled with positive experiences and chances to grow. It can also present some challenges along the way. We believe that it is important to continue to support our students throughout the year to help make the transition smoother.

Each package is themed and includes a variety of items to keep your student motivated. Parents and guardians are able to order any combination of the packages. We also offer our Colonial Pride package which includes all six. Each package includes a handwritten note from you. For all ordering options and pricing, please visit rmu.edu/carepackages. Most families select the Colonial Pride plan for their student.

Parents and guardians play an important role in this process. You may find yourself thinking, "Yes, but how can I provide continuous support from home?� The Office of Residence Life is pleased to provide our Care Package Program. This program allows parents and guardians to continue to support their students throughout the entire academic year. We offer six packages that are perfectly timed throughout the year to give your student encouragement and reinforcement.

The Office of Residence Life strives to provide opportunities for parents and guardians to connect with their students. By supporting our care package program you enable us to continue to provide meaningful programs for our residential students to help them succeed.

RESIDENCE LIFE LOCK OUT POLICY We want to call your attention to the Lock Out Policy in place in the Office of Residence Life. A lock out is defined as a student who is unable to get back into their room because they do not have their keys, they have left their keys in their room, lost their key(s), etc. Lock outs happen very frequently and this policy aims to reduce this frequency, as well as reduce the number of keys that are lost throughout the school year.

ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FAMILY CONNECTIONS

All resident students will be provided with a copy of the policy when they arrive on campus for move-in. In addition, the policy is published in our Guide to Residence Living, which can be found on our website.

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FALL 2017 MOVE-IN SCHEDULE JULY 31 Football - 9 AM - Noon - Joe Walton Stadium Room 230 AUGUST 3 W. Soccer - 9 am - Noon 4 Volleyball - 9 am - Noon 7 Lead Community Advisors - 9 am - 4 pm 8 M. Soccer - 9 am - Noon 13 Band Leadership - 9 am - Noon 13 Community Advisors - 9 am - 5 pm 15 Early Success Program Leaders - 9 am - 1 pm 16 New Band members - 9 am - Noon 17 Returning Band members - 9 am -Noon 18 Orientation Leaders, Early Success Program, RMU Lead Mentors, Women’s Leadership and Mentorship Program, and returning Sentry Media - 9 am - Noon 19 Cheer, Up Next Program Mentors - 9 am - Noon 20 RMU Lead, Up Next Mentorship Program, Sentry Media (first year), First Year Student Program Mentors, Global Ambassadors, Thrive Leaders - 9 am - Noon 21 Honors - 8 am - Noon 22 Tutors - Noon - 4 pm 23 Early Arrivals & Move In Crew - Noon - 4 pm 24 MOVE-IN DAY (Freshman & Transfer Students) 8 am - 1 pm – Sewall Center (3rd Floor) 25 Upperclass Move-In - 9 am - 4 pm 26 Upperclass Move-In - 10 am - 3 pm 27 Upperclass Move-In - 11 am - 2 pm

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All move-ins are scheduled to take place in the Office of Residence Life located in the lobby of Washington Hall unless otherwise noted.

Yorktown residents can report directly to Yorktown Hall when they arrive. Staff members from Residence Life will assist you in the lobby of the building to check in before you unload your belongings.

Please contact the Office of Residence Life directly at 412-397-5252 with any move-in questions or concerns. We look forward to having you on campus soon!

RMU.EDU

BE MORE ECO-FRIENDLY WHILE YOU MOVE IN AT RMU Robert Morris University is committed to reducing the school’s carbon footprint throughout the year. In the residence halls, the trash and recycling area is either on student’s floor or down the wider staircase across from the lower level room. RMU uses the color blue to indicate that a receptacle is designated for recyclable items. In the residence halls a blue can (on the floor) or a blue square on the cabinets (trash room) indicate that this is the area for recyclables.

Move in can be a big generator for trash but many of the items can be recycled instead! Our recycling receptacles are co-mingle which means you do not have to sort the recyclable items -you just sort them from the trash.

TIPS TO HELP WITH RECYCLING EFFORTS DURING THIS YEAR’S MOVE-IN: • Utilize the recycling containers located in each residence hall. A large recycling dumpster will be stationed at the bottom of the hill near Adams Hall (by the softball field) during move in for larger recyclable items.

• Remove packaging from large items before you pack it in the car. Utilize the internal space inside mini-fridges and other items by taking it out of the box and removing the packing materials. This helps save room in the car for other items!

ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FAMILY CONNECTIONS

• Pack clothes on hangers and secure them with a garbage bag. Clothing stays secure by putting the bag around the clothing and securing the handles of the garbage bag around the hook of the hanger.

• Pack using recyclable materials such as newspaper and enviro-bubble. Biodegradable packing peanuts (may not be recyclable but they are better for the environment than the Styrofoam ones). Use reusable crates, Rubbermaid containers, and similar types of containers to pack items in for travel. These kinds of bins can be used as extra storage or décor in your student’s room • Purchase eco-friendly cleaning products for student to bring with him/her to campus.

Many brands now carry a more eco-friendly version of these products. They can be found at almost any store that sells cleaning products.

• Use reusable grocery bags to help you pack. These are great for DVD/Blu Rays or small items.

• Wrap breakable items in soft things you need to pack anyway. Use blankets, towels, pillowcases and clothing to help pad these items.

With your help, we can reduce the waste that move-in brings by recycling more!

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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES STAY CONNECTED Be sure to check RMU on your favorite social media sites. Below are several Twitter accounts you can follow to keep up to date with news and events on campus: @RMU @RMUathletics @RMUSentryMedia Campus News @RMUCampusRec @RMUCareerCenter Student Employment @RMUTutor Center for Student Success @RMU_Counseling Counseling Center @RMUDining @RMUGreekLife Fraternities and Sororities @RMUGlobal Center for Global Engagement @RMU_IT @RMUlticultural @RMU_Life Residence Life @RMU_OSCE @RMUnow Office of Student Life @RMULibrary @RMUBookstore

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RMU IT RESOURCES RMU.EDU/IT Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/RMUInformationTechnology Follow us on Twitter: @RMU_IT View RMU classrooms: rmu.edu/classrooms HELP DESK RMU.EDU/HELP Our professionally staffed Information Technology Help Desk is available 24/7 to assist students, faculty, and staff with technology questions related to coursework. Call us at 412-397-2211.

FASTER INTERNET RMU.EDU/RESTECH We've upgraded! RMU has added wireless access points in Residence Halls and completed a major network upgrade to increase internet speeds for ResNet, wireless, and campus networks.

LEVEL-UP RMU.EDU/LEVELUP RMU is committed to a secure information technology environment. Keep your online accounts safe by using a strong password, 2-step verification, and unique passwords for each site/service.

RMU MOBILE APP RMU.EDU/MOBILEAPP This app will highlight the academic calendar, library, fitness, dining, lab and shuttle hours; and faculty directory. Download the app for secure mobile access to your checksheet, class schedule, grades, and more!

PASSWORD CHANGE RMU.EDU/PASSWORDS To better protect your RMU accounts, you are required to change your password every 60 days.

REMOTE ACCESS RMU.EDU/VIEW VMware Horizon (View) is RMU’s 24/7 remote computer lab and office environment. Access a Windows 7 desktop containing all general RMU lab software from any Internet connection.

Download the App to connect to View from your mobile device or use a browser on your PC or Mac. RMU ALERT RMU.EDU/ALERT RMU ALERT is our emergency notification system that rapidly sends text, voice, and network broadcast messages during critical situations such as power outages, weather-related closings and delays, and campus security situations.

GOOGLE APPS GOOGLE.COM/2STEP Students have access to Google Apps for Education, which includes Gmail, Drive (spreadsheets, documents, presentations), Calendar, Sites, Chat and Hangouts. IT strongly recommends further securing your account with 2Step Verification. Learn more and enroll today.

RMU WIRELESS RMU.EDU/WIRELESS Wireless networks are available in all residence halls and RMU buildings.

PRINTING RMU.EDU/PRINTING Every RMU student has printing funds and each of our computer labs has access to a printer. These labs are a great place to print assignments and work on group projects. Print to any RMU printer wirelessly from your own laptop by visiting rmu.edu/WiFiPrint.

RMU.EDU

CAMPUS COMPUTER LABS RMU.EDU/LABS The computer lab in Jefferson has been upgraded and is a available 24/7 for student use. The Library has computers available during Library hours.

When not in classroom use, there are multiple labs in Hale open daily from 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Acceptable Use Policy. Students are required to agree to terms and conditions of RMU's Acceptable Use Policy for access to technology resources.

CABLE TV RMU.EDU/CABLETV RMU has partnered with Comcast to provide cable television service to all residence hall rooms.

ACCEPTABLE TECHNOLOGY USE RMU.EDU/P2P RMU takes a proactive approach to protect you from violating copyright infringement laws and violating the Student Code of Conduct and IT

HOMECOMING 2017 Gear up for the best event of the year! Set for September 16, we welcome back all alumni, students, and friends for a weekend packed family-friendly activities. So fire up those grills and put on your red and blue face paint, because

this is one party you won’t want to miss. Kick-off for the football game is 3 p.m. followed by the Homecoming dance at 7 p.m.

SIGN UP FOR eBILLING Offered through RMU’s sentry shared portal.

In order to set up a guest account to receive notifications of an ebill when available, please have your student use the following steps to create an account.

STEP 1 Edit their release information through Sentry Secured Services to add guest information.

• Check the box for financial records • Add your guest’s email address • Save

STEP 2 Activate the ‘guest’ account • Go to rmu.edu/activate or click on the green Activate Guest Account button • Enter your requested information • Select ‘guest’ account • Create a password for your guest • Remember to tell your guest their login information

Once created, guests may login with their access information at rmu.edu/sentryshared.

ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FAMILY CONNECTIONS

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Robert Morris University 6001 University Boulevard Moon Township, PA 15108

RMU.EDU

FAMILY Connections CALENDAR OF EVENTS Visit rmu.edu for the university’s full calendar of events.

AUGUST

OCTOBER

24–27

New Student Orientation (various activities)

1–31

27

Bobbymania, 7 - 10 p.m., Nicholson Center lawn

28–2

Welcome Week (various activities)

Disabilities Awareness Month (various activities) National Bullying Prevention Month (various activities)

2–6

Tutor Appreciation Week

4

Pittsburgh Speakers Series presents David Cameron

SEPTEMBER

8 p.m. – Heinz Hall

3

De La Genta Celebration – Noon – Gazebo / Sand Volleyball Courts

5

National Depression Screening Day (various activities)

4

Labor Day Holiday. No classes. Administrative Offices Closed

7

Grove City Outlets Trip – Bus departs campus at 9 a.m.

6

Activities Fair – 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Nicholson Center Patio

10

World Suicide Prevention Day (various activities)

15–17

Homecoming Weekend

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Student Homecoming Dance – 9 p.m. – Midnight – Sewall Center Arena

17–22

National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (various activities)

19–23

National Hazing Prevention Week (various activities)

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Comedian Michael Dean Ester – 8 p.m. – PNC Colonial Cafe

20–22

Family Weekend (various activities)

Sign up in Student Life 10

Leveraging your Student Leadership Experience Workshop 12:30 p.m. – Career and Professional Development Center