ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY
FALL 2014
FAMILY Connections WELCOME HOME Welcome to the start of a new academic year at Robert Morris University. We are excited to welcome the RMU Class of 2018 and our new transfer students, as well as our returning students, back home on campus! We have been busy this summer making plans for the upcoming year. I encourage you take the time to review this newsletter with your student before you arrive to campus later this month. Encourage him/her to be familiar with the services and
resources available on campus and to get involved, both in the classroom and out. We understand that parents and families are concerned about the well-being of their children. I want to assure you that the safety, security, and well-being of your student is also our priority. I look forward to welcoming all of you to campus in the next several weeks and having you share in the excitement of your child’s college experience.
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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CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS The Center for Student Success (CSS) at RMU is committed to helping each student achieve his/her potential during their academic career. This is accomplished through many different evaluations and methods of assistance. For incoming first-year students, the College Student Inventory is an evaluation tool that is administered during the FYSP1000 course. This tool allows the counselor to peek inside the student’s mind and determine his/her strengths and weaknesses. The counselors review this instrument with the students in a one-on-one appointment within the first half of the fall semester. This appointment allows the counselor to devise a specific plan for each student that will carry with them throughout their academic career. Some plans may utilize the tutoring services at RMU. RMU’s Tutoring Program is certified by the College Reading and Learning Association. All tutors go through an intensive training program at the start of each semester. The tutors are peer tutors, meaning that they are undergraduate students who have completed the courses in which they tutor, having earned a “B” or higher, and have an overall QPA of at least a 3.0. Tutoring is a free service that is offered on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis. The schedule is posted online and is 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 CSS 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, which act as a bridge between where you have come from and where you are now. This year’s program is on Friday, August 22 from noon – 2:30 p.m. in Hopwood Hall, located in the Patrick Henry Center. Lunch will be provided. For the first time beginning this fall, transfer students have the option of taking a 1-credit, 8-week course rather than attend the orientation program. This 1-credit course will focus on support at RMU. The course will be co-taught by the directors of the Career Center and the Center for Student Success. Sometimes in order for students to achieve their greatest success, accommodations need to be made to assist them in the classroom. If accommodations were provided during a student’s educational experience, assistance can be provided at RMU. To request an appointment to discuss accommodations in a classroom through Services for Students with Disabilities, please call 412-397-6862. The staff members in the Center for Student Success are fully committed to RMU students. To learn more about our resources or to schedule an appointment, please call 412-397-6862. We work every day to change lives.
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OFFICE OF ENGAGED LEARNING AND THE S.E.T. The Office of Engaged Learning would like to welcome your student to campus for a new and exciting academic year, whether your student is a freshman, senior, or somewhere in between. Your student has countless opportunities to get involved on the campus and the surrounding community and many of these experiences can be documented on the Student Engagement Transcript (SET). As a companion to a student’s academic transcript, the SET is an official university endorsement of a student’s leadership roles, internship experiences, community service hours, study abroad trips, and many other activities. Not only is participating in the Engaged Learning program a great opportunity for your student to expand his/her horizons, it is a graduation requirement for all incoming undergraduate students. Whether your student needs assistance on how to get started on the SET, or would like to complete all seven categories, the Engaged Learning Office is here to help in that endeavor. If your student is graduating in the spring and has not fulfilled SET requirements yet, it’s not too late!
There is still plenty of time to satisfy one or two categories. Your student may need a few hours of service to get to the required thirty hours for SET credit, or perhaps your student has simply forgotten to report an engaged learning activity. Either way, we are here to help. Please encourage your student stop by the Engaged Learning Office and get acquainted with our staff: Terri Byrnes Assistant Director, Engaged Learning Patrick Henry 301 412-397-6430 byrnes@rmu.edu Samantha Moik Engaged Learning Specialist Patrick Henry 302 412-397-5973 moik@rmu.edu
Renee Lyles Secretary Patrick Henry 302 412-397-5956 lyles@rmu.edu
SENIOR CLASS GIFT Each year, the graduating class comes together to raise money for a gift to the university. This gift is a special way for seniors to leave behind a bit of their personality and begin their legacy of philanthropic giving to the institution. It shows students, faculty, and staff the gratitude and appreciation the new graduates have for RMU.
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Famous Robert Morris landmarks, like the RMU Book Fund, Memorial Garden, revolutionary war cannon, Bronze Bob, and International Nursing Scholarship were all generated from past senior class gift efforts. For more information, visit rmu.edu/classgift.
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A HEALTHY RESOURCE Student Health Services is the university's primary health care office, paying special attention to the unique needs of young adults. The staff is committed to the concept of wellness and hopes that students come to the Health Service for such information, as well as for help when students are ill or injured. We believe that each individual is responsible for his/her health and that traditional medical care is only one part of health care. Self-care is an important way to promote a healthy lifestyle and detect and prevent illness. General care will be given to all resident students free of charge. Commuter students may be seen by the physician for a fee of $10 (cash) per visit. Some non-prescription medications are also provided free of charge. Prescriptions provided by the physician are the responsibility of the student. Student Health Services will aid students in obtaining appointments with physicians and dentists in the community. Any fees incurred for these services will be the responsibility of the student.
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Pharmacies in close proximity to campus include Big K Mart, Giant Eagle, Rite-Aid, and Walgreens. The student should have the knowledge as to which pharmacies their insurance provider will honor; if you are unsure call the member services number on the back of the insurance card. The Student Health Service is located in Jefferson Center. A registered nurse is available daily Monday – Thursday from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Friday until 5 p.m. A physician or certified nurse practitioner is available for care during the academic year according to the following schedule and no appointments are necessary: Monday & Thursday Tuesday Wednesday Friday
4:30–6 p.m. 4–5:30 p.m. 3–4:30 p.m. 3:30–5 p.m.
The staff of Student Health Services can be reached at 412-397-6221 or by email at bruich@rmu.edu.
SELF CARE SUPPLIES Please supply your student with a small first-aid kit to be used when the Student Health Services is closed. The kit should include band-aids, antidiarrheal medication, antacid tablets, antiseptic, Tylenol and/or Advil, reusable ice pack, thermometer, a flash light, and batteries. Students should also have a three day supply of
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food items and water as well as a supply of daily prescribed medications in the event of an emergency situation. Do not forget to include some items for sick days, such as canned soup, crackers, and Gatorade. One of the most important items to bring is self-care knowledge!
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ANTIGEN ADMINISTRATION POLICY Student Health Services will administer allergy injections and hymenoptera injections to students upon written orders from a private physician who provides the appropriate serum. Orders must include the procedure to follow if doses are missed, if a reaction occurs, if the student is ill at the time the antigen should be administered, or other circumstances. Orders must be provided at the beginning of each school year to update instructions. Injections are given on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. only when a physician and two staff members are present in the office. For the student to obtain optimum benefit from the treatment and to decrease risk of reactions, we stress the importance of keeping appointments. Initial antigen injections must be given in the prescribing physician’s office. The student is required to wait 20 minutes in the office after receiving allergy injections, 30 minutes after receiving hymenoptera injections
and be seen by the nurse prior to leaving. Students who fail to comply with this procedure will no longer be eligible for this service. Antigen must be stored in Student Health Services. The student is responsible for bringing antigen to Student Health Services and taking antigen when leaving school (i.e. graduation, transfer, breaks). Any antigen left at the end of the school year will be discarded at the expiration date or six months after the last visit. The student is also responsible for providing an EpiPen with a valid expiration date that will be stored in Student Health Services. Both antigen and the EpiPen should be labeled with the student’s name and expiration date. Syringes and alcohol wipes will be provided by Student Health Services. If this policy does not meet the student’s needs, the Student Health Services staff will assist the student in accessing local resources.
ENROLLMENT CERTIFICATE If verification is needed that you are an enrolled student at RMU, you can request an enrollment certificate to prove your status as a Robert Morris University student by visiting the RMU website. Login to the Sentry Secured Services, click on “eServices”, click on “Enrollment at RMU” under
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Demographics. Next you should click on “National Student Clearinghouse” and then “Obtain an Enrollment Certificate.” A certificate can only be issued once you have attended classes for two weeks. You may also contact Academic Services at 412-397-3464.
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STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE REMINDER FOR 2014-15 !
Please be sure that your student has provided the university with current insurance information. The university requires that all traditional undergraduate students, both full and part-time carry health insurance that is comparable to the established RMU health insurance plan that is provided by Highmark. Please note that travel insurance is not considered comparable coverage. Your student can visit rmu.edu/studentinsurance for more information. Choose the “student insurance” option and log into Sentry Secured Services. In Sentry Secured Services select the “add” option and complete the on-line form to provide his/her insurance information. This information is automatically sent to the RMU Student Health Services Office. This task was to be completed by July 31, 2014. Students who do
not provide proof of comparable insurance coverage by the required deadline will automatically be enrolled in the Highmark plan and the annual cost of $1,836 will be charged to their RMU Student Account. If you would like to enroll your son/daughter in the RMU plan, visit the website listed above and complete the appropriate on-line form. Students enrolled in the plan will receive their insurance cards directly from Highmark once the university has provided the carrier with the information. The new insurance card will have the RMU logo printed on it Contact Student Health Services at 412-397-6221 for more information.
EMERGENCY SERVICES Sewickley Valley Hospital is the closest hospital to the university only, four and a half miles away and maintains a 24-hour emergency room. Transportation to the hospital for non-emergency care is the student’s responsibility. Valley Ambulance, a local provider, offers 24-hour ambulance service. Resident students needing an ambulance should contact RMU University Police at 412-397-2424. The Ambulance Authority’s emergency number is 412-262-2620 for off-campus students. The student should be aware of what his/her insurance carrier defines as a medical emergency. Examples: chest pain, difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, loss of consciousness, severe abdominal pain or
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prolonged vomiting, seizure (in a non-diagnosed patient), and suspected fracture of a bone. Students should call their insurance provider to determine if they will have ambulance coverage while at RMU. If you are in need of coverage, Student Health Services has developed an arrangement with the Valley Ambulance Authority to enable students to purchase a membership. Membership fee is $25 for coverage from August 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015. You may contact Valley Ambulance Authority directly at 412-262-2621 to request more information. They are located at 3550 University Boulevard, Coraopolis, PA 15108.
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HOMECOMING 2014 Join us as we kickoff another year at Robert Morris and cheer on the Colonials as they take on Monmouth on Saturday, October 4 at 3 p.m. A new era begins at Joe Walton Stadium, as John Banaszak steps into the head coaching role after a decade working beside the program's founder.
This is really the party of the year—from food and fun in Tailgate Alley, to football and live music. So be sure to save the date and…we'll see you in October! For the latest info: rmu.edu/homecoming facebook.com/RMUalumni twitter.com/RMUalumni
STAY CONNECTED WITH RMU If you would like to receive future electronic issues of Family Connections, as well as other important RMU information geared towards parents and families of current students, please email studentlife@rmu.edu. All we need is your student’s name, your e-mail address, and a quick note indicating that you would like to receive information from us.
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If you are a parent of a returning student and need to update your contact information, please send a note to above e-mail address with your corrected information and we will update our records. This service is aimed at keeping parents and families informed of RMU events and opportunities such as Family Weekend, Parent Satisfaction Survey, and other special events and announcements.
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PUBLIC SAFETY The Robert Morris University Police Department, located at the Barry Center, is a full-service 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, receive the same training as other local law enforcement officers, 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 and your student 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. Every officer, across all RMU campuses, 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 servies.
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 Robert Morris Police Department is available at rmu.edu/publicsafety. We hope you will find your stay at Robert Morris University to be both pleasant and safe.
RMU CONFIDENTIAL REPORTING SYSTEM RMU recognizes its obligation to its students, employees, partners, and the general public to maintain the highest ethical standards. To ensure that we meet these standards, 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
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violation of university policies. Reports submitted through EthicsPoint will be forwarded to university personnel for prompt and appropriate investigation, follow-up, and response. Individuals may file an anonymous report with the university through the RMU website at rmu.edu/EthicsPolicy or by calling EthicsPoint at 800-963-5593.
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IS YOUR STUDENT STRESSING OUT? SIX TIPS TO INCREASE THEIR RESILIENCE Beyond the thrill and excitement of a college acceptance letter is a freshman year full of new challenges. Leaving home and high-school friends behind, meeting new people, living on your own for the first time, sharing a room with a new friend, and learning how to manage your time can all create a chronic, background level of stress. And imagine how much their stress level would increase if an acute event happened like the end of a relationship, failing a test, or worse, the loss of someone close to them. How can you as a parent help your student bounce back from that? Resilience simply means, “the ability to bounce back.” Happily, resilience is not a fixed entity, but can be grow and evolve. Research consistently shows that resilience is a trait that can be increased when a life is organized appropriately. Here are six tips to share with your student to help build their resilience. 1 RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO STRESS As with many things in life, awareness is half the battle. Take some time each day to understand the sources of stress you face and how the stress is affecting you. Respond by taking 20-30-minute “purposeful breaks” daily to do something that you really enjoy (e.g., take a nap, read a book, play a game) to maintain your resilience— and don’t feel guilty about it! 2 CHANGE YOUR THOUGHT PATTERNS Sometimes, we create our own stress. Negative thoughts and emotions, often a result of past experiences, cloud our perspective and can create irrational beliefs that weaken our resilience. If you find
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yourself jumping to conclusions, making mountains out of molehills, or explaining things in absolutes (e.g., always, never, everyone), try to step back, look at the situation objectively, gather truthful information, and begin challenging these negative thoughts (and believing truth). 3 CREATE STRONG SOCIAL CONNECTIONS Whether you are an extrovert or an introvert, strong relationships will help you stay resilient. It takes a while to develop strong social connections at college, but keep at it. And remember that the number of relationships is not as important as the depth of the relationships. Seek mutually supportive relationships where both of you listen and ask good questions of each other. 4 TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF Balance is an important concept in college and in life. Take care of your body, mind, and spirit, and you will be more resilient and better able to handle negative stress when it comes up. Create a schedule that allows for work and school responsibilities, as well as exercise, friendships, rest, and play. Good time management will help you be more balanced and able to withstand stress. 5 DON’T FORGET YOUR VALUES You came to college with passions, values, and beliefs that have helped to shape your identity. Making choices, like deciding on a major, what activities to join, or whom to date, that don’t align with your values creates dissonance and threatens your resilience. Write down your personal,
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academic, and social values and refer to them occasionally. That way, they will easily come to mind when it’s time to make decisions. 6 SET GOALS Research shows that people with goals tend to be more successful than those without them. Take time at the beginning of each semester to make a list of academic and personal goals for yourself. Setting and achieving these goals will keep you motivated and boost your resilience. Resilience is one of the tools that will help your student thrive in college and in life. These tips to build resilience can help them persevere through the many transitions of young adulthood. Even so, there may be times when they will experience difficulties or stressors that need professional assistance. At Robert Morris, we
have a Counseling Center available free of charge for all enrolled students. The Counseling Center offers a range of services from students who just need to talk with someone one time to ongoing care with therapists and psychiatrists. Please encourage your student to take advantage of these services while in school as they are free and confidential to all students. Walk-ins are welcome, but to schedule an appointment contact the Counseling Center at (412) 397-5900 or at counseling@rmu.edu. The information above was adapted from SCoRE, the Student Curriculum on Resilience Education, which was developed specifically for college students by 3-C Institute for Social Development in partnership with LEAD Pittsburgh. For more information on SCoRE, go to the website at scoreforccollege.org.
DINING SERVICES RMU understands that dining is an integral part of the university experience. That is why we offer our students a number of delicious and nutritious dining options. RMU Dining Services focuses on fresh and healthy options with a wide variety for varying tastes while keeping in mind the busy lifestyle of today’s students. It all starts in our PNC Colonial Café, where you will find meals made with only the freshest and finest ingredients, prepared from scratch by our experienced chefs. We offer eight unique stations, meaning your student can always find what he/she is hungry for, from our chef-inspired Daily
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Specials to the Firehouse Grill, international options, Carving Station, Freshens, Fresh Soup and Salad Bar and so much more. For those in a hurry, RoMo’s Café offers an inviting, casual dining option. Here students can enjoy ‘made-to-order’ sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Hot evening specials and fresh sushi are offered in addition to a selection of savory coffees, teas, and pastry items. Grocery and personal products can also be purchased here for the convenience of our students.
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Whether your student is heading to or from class, he/she can stop by the conveniently located Hale Café to enjoy a delicious Starbucks specialty coffee, espresso, cappuccino, and new this year, Frappuccino drink. The contemporary Wheatley Café, with a chef’s display cooking table, comes alive during lunch for those busy students. There you’ll find on-the-go meals, salads, sandwiches and sushi. RMU’s newest dining location, Yorktown Café, prepares gourmet steak, chicken or veggie burgers, garden fresh salads, wraps, wings, and other unique dishes to go along with their variety of beverages and hand-dipped milkshakes.
After ice-skating or shooting the puck at the Island Sports Center, students can grab a bite to eat at the Ice House Bistro where delicious burgers, hot dogs, chicken and more are on the menu. Students can use their freedom card at all RMU dining service stations. Nutrition, variety, and flexibility – that is what you and your student can expect from RMU Dining Services. Food allergies or preferences can be accommodated in all locations. Your student should contact the Center for Student Success (center4success@rmu.edu or 412-397-6862) to discuss food allergies or other dietary requirements.
DINING SERVICES HOURS OF OPERATION PNC COLONIAL CAFÉ Monday – Thursday Friday Saturday – Sunday
4:30 p.m. – Midnight 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Pizza Station, Freshens and Fire House Grille will be open 8 p.m. – Midnight. ROMO’S CAFÉ Monday – Friday Saturday Sunday HALE CAFÉ Monday – Thursday Friday
7 a.m. – Midnight 7:30 a.m. – Midnight 2 p.m. – Midnight
7 a.m. – 8 p.m. 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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WHEATLEY CAFÉ Monday – Thursday Friday
7 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Chef’s Table will be available 11:00am – 2:00pm YORKTOWN CAFÉ Monday – Friday Saturday – Sunday
7 a.m. – Midnight 9 a.m. – Midnight
Grab & Go, breakfast and lunch specials offered, full service begins at 5:00pm ISLAND SPORTS ICE HOUSE BISTRO Monday – Friday 4 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday – Sunday 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Visit rmu.edu/dining for more information.
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COLONIALS MAKE A DIFFERENCE! “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Mahatma Gandhi
The Office of Student Civic Engagement (OSCE) is pleased to offer Robert Morris University (RMU) students many opportunities to become actively engaged in the community, both on and off campus, through challenging and fun volunteer service, voter education, registration and participation, and exploring careers in the not-forprofit sector through the Nonprofit Leadership Association certificate program. At RMU we believe that learning takes place both inside and outside of the classroom, and is thus committed to engaging students in a wide variety of experiential learning opportunities. Throughout the academic year, students can participate in diverse, short-term volunteer projects at numerous community-serving agencies including food pantries, nursing homes, local parks and nature conservancies, and afterschool programs, to name a few. During the 2013-2014 academic year, 3,279 students completed a total of 31,620 hours of service through 647 different service projects. These statistics speak to RMU’s campus culture—highlighting its dedication to giving back to the community. Students who are passionate about serving others and who want to challenge themselves have the opportunity to participate in more intensive, longterm service projects. A prime example is mentoring at-risk, elementary-aged children with Big Brothers Big Sisters at a nearby afterschool program here in Moon Township. Students also have the option to participate in one of two weeklong service trips with RMU’s Alternative Spring Break program. This program takes students on a road trip to complete service projects in a rural or urban area throughout the eastern United States. These service-learning trips allow students to gain
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an understanding of social issues while providing them with the opportunity to serve alongside community members, fellow Colonials, and RMU staff members. This past spring students traveled to the Jersey Shore to do Hurricane Sandy relief work in partnership with United Way and the mountains of Western North Carolina to rehab homes for low-income, elderly residents in partnership with the United Methodist Church. In addition to volunteering, students who are interested in learning about what it takes to lead a not-for-profit or community-based organization can participate in the Nonprofit Leadership Association certificate program, which focuses on career exploration. This program is open to undergraduates of any major and includes course work, workshops led by RMU’s Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management, and a supervised internship at a not-for-profit agency of the student’s choosing. The not-for-profit sector is an ever-growing segment of the nation’s economy, which has become increasingly professionalized in recent years. Career opportunities are many in which educated professionals can make a good living while making a positive impact on the community. To learn more about any and all of these opportunities, contact Donna Anderson, director, OSCE, at 412-397-6492 or andersond@rmu.edu; or Jess Mann, assistant director, OSCE, at 412-397-6491 or mann@rmu.edu. The OSCE is located in the Nicholson Center, 2nd floor, near the student mailboxes. Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Encourage your student to stop by and see us!
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LET THE JOB SEARCH BEGIN: CAREER EXPO 2014 On Tuesday, October 7th the Career Center will host the 18th annual Career Expo from noon – 4:00 p.m. in the Sewall Center arena. The Career Expo is one of the largest career fairs in the area and typically attracts over 100 employers. The event is open only to RMU students and alumni. The Career Expo provides an excellent opportunity to connect with potential employers in a wide range of career fields including accounting, communications, engineering, finance, healthcare, hospitality, insurance, social services, technology and more! Employer participants may be seeking candidates for internships, part-time jobs or full-time positions. Students and alumni should take advantage of this event to jump-start their job search and expand their professional networking. The Career Center will be inviting graduate schools to the Career Expo as well as employers. Students interested in pursuing graduate study will have the opportunity to talk with representatives from a variety of graduate schools. Parents/family members can be very helpful in reminding students to prepare for and attend the event. When doing so, please also remind them of the following Checklist for Job Fair Success: • • • •
An error-free resume Professional attire Focused career goals A brief self-commercial or “infomercial” to convey strengths and enthusiasm • Polished interview skills • Employer/graduate school research • A list of questions to ask employers or graduate school representatives
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While preparing for the Career Expo, students are encouraged to review the Job Fair Tip Sheet, available on the Career Center’s website. Students are also encouraged to meet with a career counselor for a resume review and/or to discuss career goals and job fair success strategies. To schedule an appointment, students may call the Career Center at 412-397-6333. For additional information about the Career Expo and representatives who will be attending the event, students and alumni may login to ColonialTRAK, click on the “Events” tab, select “Advanced Search,” enter “Career Expo 2014” in the “Career Event Name box,” and click “Search.” Parents and family members are also welcome to promote the event to their employer or other businesses, organizations, and graduate schools in the community. Employers or graduate schools interested in registering for the Career Expo may do so by visiting the following website: rmu.edu/careerexpo. The website includes detailed information about the event and registration fees. The deadline for employer/graduate school registration is Friday, September 19, 2014. The 2015 Spring Career Fair will be held on April 7th from noon – 4:00 p.m. The event will be held in the Sewall Center Arena.
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WHY IT’S IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO ENGAGE IN THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROCESS EARLY… AND HOW PARENTS CAN HELP The RMU experience can be life changing for students in many aspects. Ultimately though, one desired outcome is for graduates to obtain challenging, meaningful, and rewarding careers. While preparing for the job market, it is essential to first understand what employers are looking for in candidates. According to the Job Outlook 2014, published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, after considering GPA, the following represent the top ten attributes employers seek on a candidate’s resume: • • • • • • • • • •
Communication skills (written) Problem-solving skills Leadership Communication skills (verbal) Analytical/quantitative skills Initiative Strong work ethic Detail-oriented Ability to work in teams Computer skills
In addition, 74.1 percent of employers surveyed indicated they prefer to hire candidates with relevant work experience. Only 1.1 percent responded that they do not factor work experience into their hiring decisions. Consequently, students are presented with quite a challenge during college. They must do well academically while gaining relevant work experience. In order to develop and demonstrate
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the variety of skills sought by employers, they must also engage in extracurricular activities such as clubs/organizations, volunteering, study abroad, etc. The earlier a student begins to obtain these experiences, the better. It takes time to build a strong and competitive resume. Parents and family members can help students in many ways throughout the process, but two key strategies are outlined below. BE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT RESOURCES The RMU Career Center provides a wide array of services and resources to help students including career counseling, workshops, resume and cover letter reviews, practice interviews, part-time, internship and full-time job search assistance, job fairs and networking events, academic internship programs, and a student employment program. A calendar of events, as well as more information about our services, can be found on our website at rmu.edu/careercenter. In addition, the Career Center offers two one-credit courses: • FYSP1010: Career Exploration & Decision-Making, targeted toward first and second year students who are exploring options and clarifying career goals • FYSP1011: Transitioning from College to Career, targeted toward upper-class students who are preparing for the job search and life after college.
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The Career Center reaches out to students in a number of ways throughout their four years. However, we recognize that students are presented with a lot of information and demands on their time. When students are feeling overwhelmed and trying to navigate their career development journey, it can be helpful for parents and family members to be aware of our services and resources as well, in order to provide reminders that the Career Center is here to help. HELP FACILITATE NETWORKING CONTACTS Talking to professionals in a student’s field of interest is very helpful as they explore career options and clarify their goals. Networking also remains one of the most effective job search strategies. In addition to sponsoring several job fairs and networking events throughout the year, the Career Center also maintains the Robert Morris University Career Network, an online LinkedIn networking group, consisting of
over 900 alumni, employers, and members of the campus community. Parents and family members can also provide valuable connections through their own friends, relatives, co-workers, and community members. Regardless of whether a student is just beginning their college experience or nearing graduation, networking is extremely beneficial. First-year students may appreciate their parents setting up shadowing experiences or informational interviews while upper-class students may benefit from your help with initial contact information. Like parents and family members, the Career Center is committed to the professional success of RMU students. If you have any questions about our services or resources, please refer to our website or contact us at 412-397-6333 or careers@rmu.edu.
CONNECTING WITH YOUR SPIRITUAL SIDE The Campus Ministry Association (CMA) welcomes all new students and their families to Robert Morris University. The mission of the CMA is to assist and enhance the spiritual development of the RMU community. The association is blessed with many religious leaders who generously serve students, staff, and faculty throughout the academic year by listening to their needs while providing diverse programming. Recognizing that the transition
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into college life can be challenging, and that sometimes faith can get lost along the way, all new students are encouraged to take a couple minutes to complete our religious survey. The purpose of this survey is to connect students with their campus minister when they arrive at RMU. You can find a link to this survey along with other pertinent campus ministry information at the following link: http://studentlife.rmu.edu/campus-ministryassociation
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FALL 2014 MOVE IN INFORMATION Fall 2014 is just around the corner! Upper-class students will be permitted to return to campus August 22-24. Fifteen-week fall classes begin on Monday, August 25. Specific move in times will be available on our website at rmu.edu/residencelife.
arrive earlier than Wednesday, August 20. Freshmen and transfer students will arrive on Thursday, August 21, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Sewall Center (3rd Floor). Students who live in Yorktown will check in at the Yorktown front desk.
If you would like to request to move in early please call our office at 412-397-5252 or email reslife@rmu.edu. Students may not
Additional information regarding our arrival procedures and the New Student Orientation program will be sent soon.
CARE PACKAGE PROGRAM College is an exciting time in your student’s life that will be full of positive experiences and provide numerous rewards for his or her future. It also presents new challenges that will help your student grow. As a parent, you play an important role in supporting your child and giving positive reinforcement, which can be tricky from home. To help bridge the distance between home and campus, we provide a “Care Package” program each year. Student and parent response to this program each year has been wonderful. Each package is filled with a variety of personalized RMU items and several treats that your child is
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sure to love. As an added surprise, your personal hand-written note comes with each care package. There are 6 packages total: Welcome, R-M-Boo, Fall Finals, Be My Valentine, Out of the Blue, and Spring Finals Package. Most responding families select the “Colonial Pride Plan” as the best way to emphasize focus and determination throughout the academic year. Ordering is simple. Just respond to the letter you receive this summer about our care package program. You can learn more about the program on the Office of Residence Life’s website at http://studentlife.rmu.edu/residence-life.
RMU.EDU
MULTICULTURAL STUDENT SERVICES Multicultural Student Services seeks to enhance the college experience for all Robert Morris University students by introducing them to the benefits of diversity. Intertwined within the program are social, educational, and leadership events and opportunities designed to help students have a greater appreciation for themselves and for those sharing the world with them. Multicultural Student Services has been, and will continue to be, an agent of positive change in the Robert Morris University community. There are numerous opportunities for students to be involved and to participate in activities that promote and encourage inclusivity. The office sponsors the Diversity Speaker Series for members of the RMU community to hear varied opinions and thoughts on diversity-related issues. Topics in the past have included
academic success for athletes, the hidden history of the Chinese in Pittsburgh, Hip Hop history, and supporting disadvantaged youth in Pittsburgh. The office also sponsors the Multicultural Peer Mentor program. Mentors work with incoming students to help them navigate the hardships that come with being a multicultural student at a Predominately White Institution. With over ten student organizations to join that fall under the multicultural umbrella, students have a plethora of options to choose from. We encourage all students to come out for the Fourth Annual De La Gente Festival to be held on September 6th on the Nichoslon Front lawn to meet some amazing students and enjoy music and food from across the world.
INTRODUCING eBILLING STARTING SPRING 2015 Offered through RMU’s new 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
ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FAMILY CONNECTIONS
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 Sign on to sign up at rmu.edu/sentryshared
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RESIDENT STUDENT “MONTH OF SERVICE” Many college students enter the world of higher education with some volunteer experience under their belts; some needed to complete a set number of volunteer hours to graduate while others sought out community service opportunities to make their college applications stand out. Some simply felt a desire to give back, adding volunteer service to their already rigorous schedules. Once those college students start their first year on campus, though, a slew of academic and social activities may take the place of those volunteer hours and draw attentions away from volunteer work in the community. With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering are enormous to students. Not only have many studies demonstrated that students who volunteer are happier but there are countless personal and professional benefits to volunteer work. One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially for college freshmen. Volunteering also strengthens students’ ties to the community and broadens their support network, exposing them to people with common interests, neighborhood resources, and fun and fulfilling activities. Participation in volunteer work also helps increase students’ selfconfidence, combats depression, and helps students stay physically fit.
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The Office of Residence Life recognized the enormous benefits that come with student participation in volunteer work and strived to find a way to incorporate volunteer work within Residence Life educational initiatives. From this goal developed a partnership between the Office of Residence Life and Student Civic Engagement Office. Through this partnership both offices created RMU’s first “Month of Service”. Beginning in fall 2014, each residence hall will partner with a service partner and as a team of residents, community advisors, and Residence Life professional staff members, each residence hall will work to give back to our community. The service partners included are Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Western PA Conservancy, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, Hollow Oakland Trust, World Vision, West Hills Health and Rehab, and Habitat for Humanity of Beaver County. Students are encouraged to join their residence hall peers to build friendships while serving the local community. The variety of service projects will seek to include students of all interests. Service projects will include reviving nature trails, planting and seeding flowers, garbage removal, sorting of donated goods on a large scale, special projects and programs, and being involved in the planning and execution of house construction. The Office of Residence Life and Student Civic Engagement Office hopes to establish a tradition of service through the bonds that residents make during the university’s “Month of Service.”
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! Be sure to check RMU on your favorite social media sites. Below are several Twitter accounts you can follow to keep upto-date with news and events on campus: @RMU @RMUathletics @RMUSentryMedia @RMUCampusRec @RMUCareerCenter @RMUHealth @RMUDining
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RMU.EDU/IT facebook.com/RMUInformationTechnology twitter.com/RMU_IT View RMU classrooms: rmu.edu/classrooms HELP DESK RMU.EDU/HELP 412-397-2211 TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE RMU.EDU/RESNET ResNet assists resident students with resolving technology problems. Offices are located on the first floors of Lexington and Yorktown Halls and in Braddock Hall. Walk-ins to ResNet are always welcome! 412-397-2299 RMU MOBILE APP RMU.EDU/MOBILEAPP This app will highlight the academic calendar; library, fitness, dining, lab, and shuttle hours, as well as a faculty directory. You will be able to view your personal check sheet, class schedule, and grades.
@RMUGreekLife @RMU_IT @RMUlticultural
PASSWORD CHANGE RMU.EDU/PASSWORDS To better protect your RMU accounts, you will be required to periodically change your passwords.
RMUResLife @RMU_OSCE Office of Student Civic Engagement
@RMUnow Office of Student Life @RMUNurse Student Health Services
REMOTE ACCESS RMU.EDU/VIEW VMware 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. 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.
ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FAMILY CONNECTIONS
GOOGLE APPS FOR EDUCATION GOOGLE.COM/2STEP Students have access to Google Apps for Education, which includes Gmail, Drive (spreadsheets, documents, presentations), Calendar, Sites, Chat, and Hangouts. IT recommends further securing your account with 2-Step Verification. Learn more and enroll today. RMU WIRELESS RMU.EDU/WIRELESS RMU wireless networks are available in all residence halls, campus buildings, the Island Sports Center, and RMU Downtown. 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 FROM YOUR LAPTOP TO RMU NETWORKED LAB PRINTERS rmu.edu/WiFiPrint CAMPUS COMPUTER LABS RMU.EDU/LABS The computer lab in Jefferson is a 24/7 general lab for student use. The Library has computers that are available for student use during Library hours. When not in classroom use, there are multiple labs in the Hale and Wheatley Centers open daily from 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. 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 Acceptable Use Policy. CABLE TV RMU.EDU/CABLETV RMU has partnered with Comcast to provide cable television service to all residence hall rooms.
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STUDENT LIFE 6001 University Boulevard Moon Township, PA 15108 rmu.edu
FAMILY Connections UPCOMING EVENTS Visit rmu.edu for the university’s full calendar of events. AUGUST
OCTOBER
21–24
New Student Orientation
25–30
Welcome Week
DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH ITALIAN HERITAGE MONTH
SEPTEMBER 1
Labor Day Holiday. No Classes. Administrative Offices closed.
3
Activities Fair – 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Nicholson Center Fire Pit
4
Robert’s Rebate Fair – 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Nicholson Center Fire Pit
5
Late Night Dance – 10 p.m. – Midnight – Gus Krop Gym
8–13
Suicide Prevention Week
13
Healthy Eating Expo – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Sewall Center Arena
15–20
Battle of the Residence Halls – various events
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Accounting Career and Networking Day 2:45 – 6:30 p.m. – Sewall Center
22–26
Hazing Prevention Week
25
Diversity Speakers Series – 4:30 – 6 p.m. – Sewall Center
30
LinkedIn for You – 1 p.m. – Sewall Center
3–5
Homecoming Weekend
6–10
National Tutor Week
7
Career Expo – Noon – 4 p.m. – Sewall Center Arena
8
Pittsburgh Speakers Series presents Alan Alda 8 p.m. – Heinz Hall
10
OktoberFest – 5 – 8 p.m. – Sewall Center
12
National Society of Collegiate Scholars Induction – 11 a.m. Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport (invitation only)
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WESTPACS Job Fair – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monroeville Convention Center
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Diversity Speakers Series – 4:30 – 6 p.m. – Sewall Center
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Meet the Colonials Basketball Preview – 9 p.m. Sewall Center Arena