ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY
SPRING 2014
FAMILY Connections RMU MOVES FORWARD WITH 2014–18 STRATEGIC PLAN The 2014–18 Robert Morris University Strategic Plan provides a comprehensive framework for building upon RMU’s considerable existing strengths in order to focus attention upon its opportunities, weaknesses, and threats. The university realizes that it faces many significant challenges in the next five years and that it must proactively shape its future. It will do so via a university-wide strategic plan that is supported by coordinated unit-level plans and by an integrated budgeting process that addresses the strategic plan’s major priorities. All of the six major initiatives in the strategic plan, together with their respective goals, are directed towards fulfilling the university’s mission in accordance with its core values and promoting its value proposition. At the center of the plan is the concept of RMU providing transformational experiences for its students. This is highlighted by all students participating in engaged, active learning, both inside and outside of the classroom. Such a holistic educational approach directly supports RMU's mission of preparing students for leadership in a rapidly changing world. Initiative 1 contains goals that seek to improve the quality of RMU’s schools,
majors, and degree programs. This will be accomplished by continuing to maintain and promote its accreditations and engaged learning, strengthening outcomes assessment, quality assurance, and the teacher-scholar model, along with accentuating the importance of online education, general education, and library resources. The goals associated with Initiative 2 seek to build a distinct, quality identity for the university that will attract prospective students, provide a high quality college experience to current students and establish enrollment size targets for RMU. Student Life will continue to build on the great expansion of student programs and services carried out in the last strategic plan and is planning on 60% of traditional undergraduates being residential. By 2018 RMU plans to enroll 4,000 traditional undergraduates and a total enrollment of 7,000 students, with increased diversity in many aspects of its student body. Increasing undergraduate selectivity and quality will be a key driver of taking RMU to the next level of institutional quality and online enrollment will provide a large share of the incremental students called for under this plan. A focused, well-supported and successful athletic program will be a key part of the RMU value proposition.
STUDENT LIFE
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.
ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FAMILY CONNECTIONS
RMU.EDU
For the first time the strategic plan includes a human capital component. Initiative 3 specifically recognizes the critical role that RMU’s staff plays in student success and the university’s intent to support those employees’ development and fulfillment.
Gaining better insights into unit-level financial contributions is an important aspect of the ongoing process of finding ways to provide good services at the highest efficiency and lowest cost possible. All of these measures seek to make RMU an excellent value in support of its value proposition.
Initiative 4 seeks to raise RMU’s facilities and information technology to the level of a competitive advantage via selective investments in renovations, new construction, remediation of deferred maintenance, and technology infrastructure and applications.
Phase I of the 2014–18 RMU Strategic Plan (mission, vision, core values, value proposition, initiatives, and goals) was developed in the fall of 2013 by a steering committee comprised of 31 faculty, staff, students, and administrators. Additional input into the plan was received from RMU Trustees and executive management. The plan was approved by the RMU Board on January 13, 2014. Implementation of the strategic plan will be carried out via strategies in unit-level plans that will be developed during spring 2014.
Initiative 5 addresses the need to bring focus and recognition to RMU’s stature and presence in both existing and new markets via more and better marketing and promotion of its value proposition. Initiative 6 proposes a new capital campaign to increase the durability of RMU’s financial position and to provide funds for pressing university needs.
2013 PARENT SATISFACTION INVENTORY SUMMARY FINDINGS As part of the university’s on-going efforts to assess our programs and services, we are pleased to share with you the summary results from our Spring 2013 On-Line Parent Satisfaction Inventory. The survey helps us to learn how satisfied you – the parents of our students – are and what's most important to you. The survey was offered in April 2013 to the parents of current, traditional undergraduate students who were signed up to receive the Family Connections e-newsletter. During the same period, current traditional undergraduates were provided the opportunity to complete the counterpart survey, the Student Satisfaction Inventory. By utilizing both instruments, we were able to see where parents and students agree and disagree. In all, 231 parents completed the on-line survey. Comprehensive reporting data and individual comments were provided to us by our survey partner, Noel-Levitz. According to the survey, the top five items in importance to parents were: 1. The campus is safe and secure. 2. The content of classes within my child’s major is valuable. 3. Security staff respond quickly in emergencies. 4. The quality of instruction my child receives in most of his/her classes is excellent. 5. I am confident my child will be well-prepared for his/her chose field.
The bottom five items of importance to parents were: 1. The amount of student parking space on campus is adequate. 2. Student activity fees are put to good use. 3. There is a strong commitment to racial harmony at this campus. 4. My child can easily get involved in campus organizations. 5. Our family is made to feel welcome on this campus. The top five items of satisfaction to parents were: 1. This institution has a good reputation within the community. 2. The campus is well-maintained. 3. The campus is safe and secure. 4. Up-to-date technology is used in my child’s classroom. 5. Our family is made to feel welcome on this campus. The bottom five items of satisfaction to parents were: 1. The amount of student parking spaces on campus is adequate. 2. Adequate financial aid is available for my child. 3. Academic internships and practical work experiences are readily available to my child. 4. Channels for expressing complaints are readily available. 5. Living conditions in the residence halls are comfortable for my child. The Parent Satisfaction Inventory is offered every two years and will be made available again in the spring of 2015. To learn more about the university’s ongoing outcomes assessments efforts, visit rmu.edu/accreditions.
CAREER CENTER OFFERS NEW COURSE For eight years the Career Center has offered the Career Exploration & Decision-Making course, which is targeted toward first- and second-year students. Beginning in Fall 2014, the Career Center will offer a new course, Transitioning from College to Career (FYSP1011). The one-credit course is designed for juniors and seniors who are preparing for their job search and life after college. The course will be offered during the second eight-week term of the Fall 2014 semester. Registration for Fall 2014 classes begins April 15. College can be a stressful time for students who are juggling academics, athletics, clubs and organizations, leadership roles and/or part-time jobs. Adding the search for an internship or job to the equation can lead to more stress, and sometimes inaction. Transitioning from College to Career will guide students through the job search process and provide feedback from experienced career counselors and regional employers. The course will also include an overview of the graduate school
application process. In addition, it will provide information and resources to help students make wise decisions as they embark on their professional career. Course topics will include the following: • Resumes • Employment letters • Portfolios • Interviewing • Tools for researching careers, employers and salary ranges • Job search strategies • Financial wellness • Graduate school planning • First job success strategies Students who have questions about the new course may contact the Career Center at 412-397-6333 or via email at careers@rmu.edu.
CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS STAFF ADDS NEW COUNSELORS The Center for Student Success welcomed two new counselors this year: Elise Michaux and Stephen Lukens. Both Elise and Stephen have the title of Counselor/Retention for Specialized Student Populations. Together, with the rest of the staff in the Center for Student Success, they work to help students maximize their potential while pursuing their academic degree. The Counselors in the Center for Student Success, under the direction of Cassandra Oden, offer RMU students academic assistance through tutoring, one-on-one planning sessions (mapping out their course of study), and study-skill building, as well as helping students to adapt to the university environment. In addition to the tutoring services that are offered through the center, other programs include the Early Success Program, First-Year Seminar Program and its corresponding mentoring program, Act 101, and accommodating students with disabilities.
The Center for Student Success staff members work year-round to help students. Therefore, any student who has questions/concerns during the summer months is able to contact their counselor for a oneon-one meeting, or if the student lives a distance away, a phone meeting. We are also available to assist you with course selection for the summer and fall terms. The summer hours for the Center for Student Success are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can contact a counselor by emailing center4success@rmu.edu or by calling 412-397-6862.
LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS IN RESIDENCE LIFE America is suffering a crisis of leadership. In the weeks leading up to the midterm elections in 2010, many expressed concern over the loss of political visionaries. Many in the corporate world are not seeing candidates with strong leadership skills coming from four year institutions. Studies show that students, who are currently in four year programs, will have multiple jobs even multiple careers during their lifetimes. Many will work for small firms, and a growing percentage will be consultants and freelancers for most of their working lives. How can we set our students up to be successful leaders? They will need to be equipped to make their own opportunities. They need the skills, knowledge, and qualities that leadership programs cultivate: self-reliance, social and cultural capital, appreciation for lifelong learning, creativity, conflict resolution team-building skills, ethics, understanding of economics, and more. The idea is that leadership – like scientific disciplines, for example – consists of a set of skills, methodologies, and ideas that can be taught. Leadership programs teach important life skills, such as introspection, cultural sensitivity, moral acuity, people skills, and positive decision-making skills. These are skills to lead tomorrow’s generation and to thrive in the new economy. There is a growing recognition that this task is the responsibility of all members of the campus community, not just those teaching leadership courses or those working with co-curricular leadership programs. Our office strives to provide many leadership opportunities for the students of Robert Morris
University. These leadership opportunities include being a Community Advisor, participating in the National Residence Hall Honorary, and also being a campus representative in the Residence Hall Association. Our office currently employs 50 students to be leaders in our residence halls, called Community Advisors (CAs). Our Community Advisors develop and produce social and educational programming in their halls, advise students of residence hall procedures, policies, campus resources and campus wide programs, provide guidance on navigating the campus, and are a friend to their students. The Community Advisor selection process begins in late November for the following year. The National Residence Hall Honorary is a group of students who are of the top 1% of residential students on campus. This organization is comprised of approximately 20 members. The governing principles for this organization are excellence in academics, leadership, service and recognition. This organization is comprised of general members and a four student executive board. Students volunteer for and/or are nominated for this organization. The Residence Hall Association is a group of students elected by their fellow building mates to represent their building. RHA representatives serve a liaison between residential students and RMU Staff and Faculty. The Residence Hall Association is governed by a six-student executive board. Elections for executive board positions will be held April 7 and 8. Elections for building representatives will occur in early September. Residence Hall Association is also open to any residential student who is interested in participating.
YORKTOWN HALL: A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND HANG WITH FRIENDS Yorktown Hall is home to 500 students. The building consists of double rooms with a full bathroom and wireless and traditional Internet. Each room includes 2 desks, 2 dressers, 2 chairs, 1 armoire, 1 closet, 2 double beds, and 2 lamps. Students have the convenience of 24/7 shuttle service to and from
campus. During weekday classes there is an express shuttle that brings Yorktown residents directly to and from campus. Yorktown has many amenities such as the Yorktown Cafe, fitness center, group study lounges, and a game room for students.
LINEN PROGRAMS One of the biggest concerns for students is to remember to bring all the essentials to campus on move-in day. One of those essential is bedding. We can help make that process one step easier. All you
need to do is order your bedding early and it can be here for you upon your arrival. If you have any questions, you can call us at 412-397-5252 or review this offer at stockton.ocm.com/linens.
FALL 2014 MOVE-IN Fall 2014 is just around the corner! Upperclass students will be permitted to return on campus August 22–24. Fifteen-week fall classes begin on Monday, August 25. Specific move-in times will be available on our website at www.rmu.edu/residencelife. If you would like to request to move-in early please call our office at 412-397-5252 or e-mail at reslife@rmu.edu. Students
may not arrival earlier than Wednesday, August 20. Freshman and Transfer students will arrive on Thursday, August 21, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Sewall Center (3rd floor). Additional information regarding our arrival procedures and New Student Orientation program will be sent this summer to all new students.
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. Your student can visit rmu.edu/studentinsurance. Choose the “student insurance” option and log in to Sentry Secured Services. In Sentry Secured Services select the “add” option and complete the online form to provide his/her insurance information. This information is automatically sent to the RMU Student Health Services Office. This task must be
completed by July 31. 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 online 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 insurance card that will be sent will be printed with the RMU logo on it. Contact Student Health Services at 412-397-6221 for more information.
REC BY STUDENTS Rec by Students is a weekend program initiative that was developed by the Office of Residence Life and the Campus Recreation department. These diverse recreational programs provide students the opportunity for recreational participation, event planning, and program management. This initiative
UPCOMING EVENTS Visit rmu.edu for the university’s full calendar of events. APRIL 21–26 28 29–3 29 30
Spirit Week (various events scheduled) Last day of classes Cram Jam, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Center for Student Success Final Exams Almost Midnight Breakfast, 10 p.m.–Midnight, PNC Colonial Café Campus Ministry Study Break, 8–10 p.m., PNC Colonial Café
was created to enhance the quality of life for the Robert Morris University students. Programs this semester included, Hantis, Knee Hockey, and a March Madness basketball tournament.
MAY 5–8 9 10 12
Senior Week (various events scheduled) Graduate Commencement, 4 p.m., Sewall Center Arena Undergraduate Commencement, 9:30 a.m., Sewall Center Arena Summer Five Week Session begins (May 12–June 13) CIS Fifteen-Week Session begins (May 12–August 20) Nursing Ten-Week Session begins (May 12–July 18)