Family Connections Fall 2014

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 [email protected].

WELCOME HOME

FAMILYConnections

ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FALL 2014

ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FAMILY CONNECTIONS 1

Welcome to the start of a new academic year at Robert Morris University. We areexcited 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 plansfor the upcoming year.

I encourage you take the time to review this newsletter with your student before you arrive to campus later this month. Encouragehim/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 areconcerned about the well-being of their children. I want to assure you that the safety, security, andwell-being of your student is also our priority.

I look forward to welcoming all of you to campusin the next several weeks and having you share inthe excitement of your child’s college experience.

John MichalenkoVice President of Student Life and Dean of Students

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CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESSThe Center for Student Success (CSS) at RMU iscommitted to helping each student achievehis/her potential during their academic career.This is accomplished through many differentevaluations and methods of assistance.

For incoming first-year students, the CollegeStudent Inventory is an evaluation tool that isadministered during the FYSP1000 course. Thistool allows the counselor to peek inside thestudent’s mind and determine his/her strengthsand weaknesses. The counselors review thisinstrument with the students in a one-on-oneappointment within the first half of the fallsemester. This appointment allows the counselorto devise a specific plan for each student thatwill carry with them throughout their academiccareer. Some plans may utilize the tutoringservices at RMU.

RMU’s Tutoring Program is certified by theCollege Reading and Learning Association. Alltutors go through an intensive training programat the start of each semester. The tutors are peertutors, meaning that they are undergraduatestudents who have completed the courses inwhich 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 awalk-in, first-come, first-served basis. Theschedule is posted online and is available in theCenter for Student Success. Tutoring hours areMonday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.,Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays byappointment. Tutoring is available for alltraditional and transfer undergraduate students.

As a new transfer student, counselors in the CSScan help to make a smooth transition to RMU.During the Fall Orientation, a transfer studentsession is offered by the counselors in theCenter. The session is geared to help studentsimmediately recognize their support systems atRMU and to know the location and function ofthe support offices, which act as a bridgebetween where you have come from and whereyou are now. This year’s program is on Friday,August 22 from noon – 2:30 p.m. in HopwoodHall, located in the Patrick Henry Center. Lunchwill be provided. For the first time beginningthis fall, transfer students have the option oftaking a 1-credit, 8-week course rather thanattend the orientation program. This 1-creditcourse will focus on support at RMU. Thecourse will be co-taught by the directors of theCareer Center and the Center for StudentSuccess.

Sometimes in order for students to achieve theirgreatest success, accommodations need to bemade to assist them in the classroom. Ifaccommodations were provided during astudent’s educational experience, assistance can be provided at RMU. To request anappointment to discuss accommodations in a classroom through Services for Students with Disabilities, please call 412-397-6862.

The staff members in the Center for StudentSuccess are fully committed to RMU students.To learn more about our resources or to schedulean appointment, please call 412-397-6862. Wework every day to change lives.


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 yourstudent is a freshman, senior, or somewhere in between. Your student has countlessopportunities to get involved on the campus and the surrounding community and many ofthese experiences can be documented on theStudent Engagement Transcript (SET). As acompanion to a student’s academic transcript,the SET is an official university endorsement of a student’s leadership roles, internshipexperiences, community service hours, studyabroad trips, and many other activities.

Not only is participating in the EngagedLearning program a great opportunity for your student to expand his/her horizons, it is a graduation requirement for all incomingundergraduate students. Whether your studentneeds assistance on how to get started on theSET, or would like to complete all sevencategories, the Engaged Learning Office is here to help in that endeavor.

If your student is graduating in the spring and hasnot fulfilled SET requirements yet, it’s not too late!

There is still plenty of time to satisfy one or twocategories. Your student may need a few hours ofservice to get to the required thirty hours for SETcredit, or perhaps your student has simplyforgotten to report an engaged learning activity.Either way, we are here to help.

Please encourage your student stop by theEngaged Learning Office and get acquaintedwith our staff:

Terri Byrnes Assistant Director, Engaged LearningPatrick Henry [email protected]

Samantha MoikEngaged Learning SpecialistPatrick Henry [email protected]

Renee LylesSecretaryPatrick Henry [email protected]

SENIOR CLASS GIFTEach year, the graduating class comes together toraise money for a gift to the university. This gift isa special way for seniors to leave behind a bit oftheir personality and begin their legacy ofphilanthropic giving to the institution. It showsstudents, faculty, and staff the gratitude andappreciation the new graduates have for RMU.

Famous Robert Morris landmarks, like the RMUBook Fund, Memorial Garden, revolutionary warcannon, Bronze Bob, and International NursingScholarship were all generated from past seniorclass gift efforts.

For more information, visit rmu.edu/classgift.

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Student Health Services is the university'sprimary health care office, paying specialattention to the unique needs of young adults.The staff is committed to the concept of wellness and hopes that students come to theHealth Service for such information, as well as for help when students are ill or injured. Webelieve that each individual is responsible forhis/her health and that traditional medical care is only one part of health care. Self-care is animportant 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-prescriptionmedications are also provided free of charge.Prescriptions provided by the physician are the responsibility of the student. Student HealthServices will aid students in obtainingappointments with physicians and dentists in the community. Any fees incurred for theseservices will be the responsibility of the student.

Pharmacies in close proximity to campus includeBig K Mart, Giant Eagle, Rite-Aid, and Walgreens.The student should have the knowledge as towhich pharmacies their insurance provider willhonor; if you are unsure call the member servicesnumber on the back of the insurance card.

The Student Health Service is located in JeffersonCenter. A registered nurse is available dailyMonday – Thursday from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. andFriday until 5 p.m. A physician or certified nursepractitioner is available for care during theacademic year according to the followingschedule and no appointments are necessary:

Monday & Thursday 4:30–6 p.m.Tuesday 4–5:30 p.m.Wednesday 3–4:30 p.m.Friday 3:30–5 p.m.

The staff of Student Health Services can bereached at 412-397-6221 or by email [email protected].

A HEALTHY RESOURCE

Please supply your student with a small first-aidkit to be used when the Student Health Services isclosed. The kit should include band-aids,antidiarrheal medication, antacid tablets,antiseptic, Tylenol and/or Advil, reusable icepack, thermometer, a flash light, and batteries.Students should also have a three day supply of

food items and water as well as a supply of dailyprescribed medications in the event of anemergency situation. Do not forget to includesome items for sick days, such as canned soup,crackers, and Gatorade. One of the mostimportant items to bring is self-care knowledge!

SELF CARE SUPPLIES


Student Health Services will administer allergyinjections and hymenoptera injections to studentsupon written orders from a private physician whoprovides the appropriate serum. Orders mustinclude the procedure to follow if doses aremissed, if a reaction occurs, if the student is ill at the time the antigen should be administered,or other circumstances. Orders must be providedat the beginning of each school year to updateinstructions. Injections are given on Wednesdaysat 3 p.m. only when a physician and two staffmembers are present in the office. For the studentto obtain optimum benefit from the treatment and to decrease risk of reactions, we stress theimportance of keeping appointments. Initialantigen injections must be given in the prescribing physician’s office.

The student is required to wait 20 minutesin 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 procedurewill no longer be eligible for this service.

Antigen must be stored in Student HealthServices. The student is responsible for bringingantigen to Student Health Services and takingantigen when leaving school (i.e. graduation,transfer, breaks). Any antigen left at the end of the school year will be discarded at the expirationdate or six months after the last visit. The studentis also responsible for providing an EpiPen with avalid expiration date that will be stored in StudentHealth Services. Both antigen and the EpiPenshould be labeled with the student’s name andexpiration date. Syringes and alcohol wipes willbe provided by Student Health Services.If this policy does not meet the student’s needs,the Student Health Services staff will assist thestudent in accessing local resources.

ANTIGEN ADMINISTRATION POLICY

If verification is needed that you are an enrolledstudent at RMU, you can request an enrollmentcertificate to prove your status as a Robert MorrisUniversity student by visiting the RMU website.Login to the Sentry Secured Services, click on“eServices”, click on “Enrollment at RMU” under

Demographics. Next you should click on“National Student Clearinghouse” and then“Obtain an Enrollment Certificate.” A certificatecan only be issued once you have attended classesfor two weeks. You may also contact AcademicServices at 412-397-3464.

ENROLLMENT CERTIFICATE

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Please be sure that your student has provided theuniversity with current insurance information.The university requires that all traditionalundergraduate students, both full and part-timecarry health insurance that is comparable to theestablished RMU health insurance plan that isprovided by Highmark. Please note that travelinsurance is not considered comparable coverage.

Your student can visit rmu.edu/studentinsurancefor more information. Choose the “studentinsurance” option and log into Sentry SecuredServices. In Sentry Secured Services select the“add” option and complete the on-line form toprovide his/her insurance information. Thisinformation is automatically sent to the RMUStudent Health Services Office. This task was tobe completed by July 31, 2014. Students who do

not provide proof of comparable insurancecoverage by the required deadline willautomatically be enrolled in the Highmark planand the annual cost of $1,836 will be charged totheir RMU Student Account.

If you would like to enroll your son/daughter inthe RMU plan, visit the website listed above andcomplete the appropriate on-line form. Studentsenrolled in the plan will receive their insurancecards directly from Highmark once the universityhas provided the carrier with the information.The new insurance card will have the RMU logoprinted on it

Contact Student Health Services at 412-397-6221for more information.

STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE REMINDER FOR 2014-15

Sewickley Valley Hospital is the closest hospital tothe university only, four and a half miles awayand maintains a 24-hour emergency room.Transportation to the hospital for non-emergencycare is the student’s responsibility. ValleyAmbulance, a local provider, offers 24-hourambulance service. Resident students needing anambulance should contact RMU University Policeat 412-397-2424. The Ambulance Authority’semergency number is 412-262-2620 for off-campusstudents. The student should be aware of whathis/her insurance carrier defines as a medicalemergency. Examples: chest pain, difficultybreathing, uncontrolled bleeding, loss ofconsciousness, severe abdominal pain or

prolonged vomiting, seizure (in a non-diagnosedpatient), and suspected fracture of a bone.

Students should call their insurance provider todetermine if they will have ambulance coveragewhile at RMU. If you are in need of coverage,Student Health Services has developed anarrangement with the Valley AmbulanceAuthority to enable students to purchase amembership. Membership fee is $25 for coveragefrom August 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015. You maycontact Valley Ambulance Authority directly at412-262-2621 to request more information. Theyare located at 3550 University Boulevard,Coraopolis, PA 15108.

EMERGENCY SERVICES


If you would like to receive future electronicissues of Family Connections, as well as otherimportant RMU information geared towardsparents and families of current students, please email [email protected]. All we need is yourstudent’s name, your e-mail address, and a quicknote indicating that you would like to receiveinformation from us.

If you are a parent of a returning student andneed to update your contact information, pleasesend a note to above e-mail address with yourcorrected information and we will update ourrecords. This service is aimed at keeping parentsand families informed of RMU events andopportunities such as Family Weekend, ParentSatisfaction Survey, and other special events andannouncements.

STAY CONNECTED WITH RMU

Join us as we kickoff another year at RobertMorris and cheer on the Colonials as they takeon Monmouth on Saturday, October 4 at 3 p.m.

A new era begins at Joe Walton Stadium, as JohnBanaszak steps into the head coaching role aftera decade working beside the program's founder.

This is really the party of the year—from foodand fun in Tailgate Alley, to football and livemusic. So be sure to save the date and…we'll see you in October!

For the latest info:rmu.edu/homecomingfacebook.com/RMUalumnitwitter.com/RMUalumni

HOMECOMING 2014

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The Robert Morris University PoliceDepartment, located at the Barry Center, is afull-service law enforcement agency. It is staffedwith sixteen sworn police officers certified bythe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Under thedirection of the chief of police, all RMU officershave full arrest powers, receive the sametraining as other local law enforcement officers,and are dedicated to providing first-class serviceto the community.

The objective of the department is to ensure andmaintain a safe campus environment whileproviding you and your student with as muchassistance as possible. The department iscomprised solely of a patrol division with accessto marked police vehicles, golf carts, andbicycles for patrolling the campus 24 hours aday, seven days a week. Every officer, across allRMU campuses, are responsible for crimeprevention, traffic and parking enforcement,community policing, vehicle jump starts andlock outs, safety escorts, and fingerprinting, toname a few servies.

Our police department is charged with creatinga safe and secure environment. This task,however, is not one we can accomplish alone.Our efforts to maintain a safe and secureenvironment rely on our ability to developcollaborative relationships with the manycommunities that make up the university.

The telephone number for the RMU PoliceDepartment is 412-397-2424 or ext. 2424 usingany university phones on campus. This numberis used for emergency purposes as well asroutine business calls.

More information on the Robert Morris Police Department is available atrmu.edu/publicsafety. We hope you willfind your stay at Robert Morris Universityto be both pleasant and safe.

PUBLIC SAFETY

RMU recognizes its obligation to its students,employees, partners, and the general public tomaintain the highest ethical standards. To ensurethat we meet these standards, RMU haspartnered with EthicsPoint to provide a simple,risk-free way to anonymously and confidentiallyreport activities that may involve unethical orotherwise inappropriate activity or behavior in

violation of university policies. Reportssubmitted through EthicsPoint will beforwarded to university personnel for promptand appropriate investigation, follow-up, andresponse. Individuals may file an anonymousreport with the university through the RMUwebsite at rmu.edu/EthicsPolicy or by callingEthicsPoint at 800-963-5593.

RMU CONFIDENTIAL REPORTING SYSTEM


IS YOUR STUDENT STRESSING OUT? SIX TIPS TOINCREASE THEIR RESILIENCE

Beyond the thrill and excitement of a collegeacceptance letter is a freshman year full of newchallenges. Leaving home and high-school friendsbehind, meeting new people, living on your ownfor the first time, sharing a room with a newfriend, and learning how to manage your time canall create a chronic, background level of stress.And imagine how much their stress level wouldincrease if an acute event happened like the end ofa relationship, failing a test, or worse, the loss ofsomeone close to them. How can you as a parenthelp your student bounce back from that?

Resilience simply means, “the ability to bounceback.” Happily, resilience is not a fixed entity,but can be grow and evolve. Researchconsistently shows that resilience is a trait thatcan be increased when a life is organizedappropriately. Here are six tips to share withyour student to help build their resilience.

1 RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO STRESS As withmany things in life, awareness is half the battle.Take some time each day to understand thesources of stress you face and how the stress isaffecting you. Respond by taking 20-30-minute“purposeful breaks” daily to do something thatyou really enjoy (e.g., take a nap, read a book,play a game) to maintain your resilience— anddon’t feel guilty about it!

2 CHANGE YOUR THOUGHT PATTERNS Sometimes,we create our own stress. Negative thoughts andemotions, often a result of past experiences,cloud our perspective and can create irrationalbeliefs that weaken our resilience. If you find

yourself jumping to conclusions, makingmountains out of molehills, or explaining thingsin absolutes (e.g., always, never, everyone), tryto step back, look at the situation objectively,gather truthful information, and beginchallenging these negative thoughts (andbelieving truth).

3 CREATE STRONG SOCIAL CONNECTIONSWhetheryou are an extrovert or an introvert, strongrelationships will help you stay resilient. It takesa while to develop strong social connections atcollege, but keep at it. And remember that thenumber of relationships is not as important asthe depth of the relationships. Seek mutuallysupportive relationships where both of youlisten and ask good questions of each other.

4 TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF Balance is animportant concept in college and in life. Takecare of your body, mind, and spirit, and you willbe more resilient and better able to handlenegative stress when it comes up. Create aschedule that allows for work and schoolresponsibilities, as well as exercise, friendships,rest, and play. Good time management will helpyou be more balanced and able to withstandstress.

5 DON’T FORGET YOUR VALUES You came tocollege with passions, values, and beliefs thathave helped to shape your identity. Makingchoices, like deciding on a major, what activitiesto join, or whom to date, that don’t align withyour values creates dissonance and threatensyour resilience. Write down your personal,

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DINING SERVICESRMU understands that dining is an integral partof the university experience. That is why we offerour students a number of delicious and nutritiousdining options. RMU Dining Services focuses onfresh and healthy options with a wide variety forvarying tastes while keeping in mind the busylifestyle of today’s students.

It all starts in our PNC Colonial Café, where youwill find meals made with only the freshest andfinest ingredients, prepared from scratch by ourexperienced chefs. We offer eight unique stations,meaning your student can always find whathe/she is hungry for, from our chef-inspired Daily

Specials to the Firehouse Grill, internationaloptions, Carving Station, Freshens, Fresh Soupand Salad Bar and so much more.

For those in a hurry, RoMo’s Café offers aninviting, casual dining option. Here students canenjoy ‘made-to-order’ sandwiches, salads, andwraps. Hot evening specials and fresh sushi areoffered in addition to a selection of savory coffees,teas, and pastry items. Grocery and personalproducts can also be purchased here for theconvenience of our students.

academic, and social values and refer to themoccasionally. That way, they will easily come tomind when it’s time to make decisions.

6 SET GOALS Research shows that people withgoals tend to be more successful than thosewithout them. Take time at the beginning ofeach semester to make a list of academic andpersonal goals for yourself. Setting andachieving these goals will keep you motivatedand boost your resilience.

Resilience is one of the tools that will help yourstudent thrive in college and in life. These tips tobuild resilience can help them persevere throughthe many transitions of young adulthood.

Even so, there may be times when they willexperience difficulties or stressors that needprofessional assistance. At Robert Morris, we

have a Counseling Center available free ofcharge for all enrolled students. The CounselingCenter offers a range of services from studentswho just need to talk with someone one time toongoing care with therapists and psychiatrists.Please encourage your student to takeadvantage of these services while in school asthey are free and confidential to all students.Walk-ins are welcome, but to schedule anappointment contact the Counseling Center at(412) 397-5900 or at [email protected].

The information above was adapted fromSCoRE, the Student Curriculum on ResilienceEducation, which was developed specifically forcollege students by 3-C Institute for SocialDevelopment in partnership with LEADPittsburgh. For more information on SCoRE, goto the website at scoreforccollege.org.


DINING SERVICES HOURS OF OPERATIONPNC COLONIAL CAFÉMonday – Thursday 4:30 p.m. – MidnightFriday 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.Saturday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The Pizza Station, Freshens and Fire House Grille will beopen 8 p.m. – Midnight.

ROMO’S CAFÉMonday – Friday 7 a.m. – MidnightSaturday 7:30 a.m. – MidnightSunday 2 p.m. – Midnight

HALE CAFÉMonday – Thursday 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.Friday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WHEATLEY CAFÉMonday – Thursday 7 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.Friday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Chef’s Table will be available 11:00am – 2:00pm

YORKTOWN CAFÉMonday – Friday 7 a.m. – MidnightSaturday – Sunday 9 a.m. – Midnight

Grab & Go, breakfast and lunch specials offered, full service begins at 5:00pm

ISLAND SPORTS ICE HOUSE BISTROMonday – Friday 4 a.m. – 10 p.m.Saturday – Sunday 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Visit rmu.edu/dining for more information.

Whether your student is heading to or from class,he/she can stop by the conveniently located HaleCafé to enjoy a delicious Starbucks specialtycoffee, espresso, cappuccino, and new this year,Frappuccino drink.

The contemporary Wheatley Café, with a chef’sdisplay cooking table, comes alive during lunchfor 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 veggieburgers, garden fresh salads, wraps, wings, andother unique dishes to go along with their varietyof beverages and hand-dipped milkshakes.

After ice-skating or shooting the puck at theIsland Sports Center, students can grab a bite toeat at the Ice House Bistro where deliciousburgers, hot dogs, chicken and more are on themenu. Students can use their freedom card at allRMU dining service stations.

Nutrition, variety, and flexibility – that is whatyou and your student can expect from RMUDining Services. Food allergies or preferences canbe accommodated in all locations. Your studentshould contact the Center for Student Success([email protected] or 412-397-6862) todiscuss food allergies or other dietaryrequirements.

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COLONIALS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!The Office of Student Civic Engagement (OSCE) ispleased to offer Robert Morris University (RMU)students many opportunities to become activelyengaged in the community, both on and offcampus, through challenging and fun volunteerservice, voter education, registration andparticipation, and exploring careers in the not-for-profit sector through the Nonprofit LeadershipAssociation certificate program.

At RMU we believe that learning takes place bothinside and outside of the classroom, and is thuscommitted to engaging students in a wide varietyof experiential learning opportunities. Throughoutthe academic year, students can participate indiverse, short-term volunteer projects atnumerous community-serving agencies includingfood pantries, nursing homes, local parks andnature conservancies, and afterschool programs,to name a few. During the 2013-2014 academicyear, 3,279 students completed a total of 31,620hours of service through 647 different serviceprojects. These statistics speak to RMU’s campusculture—highlighting its dedication to giving backto the community.

Students who are passionate about serving othersand who want to challenge themselves have theopportunity to participate in more intensive, long-term service projects. A prime example ismentoring at-risk, elementary-aged children withBig Brothers Big Sisters at a nearby afterschoolprogram here in Moon Township. Students alsohave the option to participate in one of two week-long service trips with RMU’s Alternative SpringBreak program. This program takes students on aroad trip to complete service projects in a rural orurban area throughout the eastern United States.These service-learning trips allow students to gain

an understanding of social issues while providingthem with the opportunity to serve alongsidecommunity members, fellow Colonials, and RMU staff members. This past spring studentstraveled to the Jersey Shore to do HurricaneSandy relief work in partnership with United Way and the mountains of Western NorthCarolina to rehab homes for low-income, elderlyresidents in partnership with the UnitedMethodist Church.

In addition to volunteering, students who areinterested in learning about what it takes to lead anot-for-profit or community-based organizationcan participate in the Nonprofit LeadershipAssociation certificate program, which focuses oncareer exploration. This program is open toundergraduates of any major and includes coursework, workshops led by RMU’s Bayer Center forNonprofit Management, and a supervisedinternship at a not-for-profit agency of thestudent’s choosing. The not-for-profit sector is an ever-growing segment of the nation’seconomy, which has become increasinglyprofessionalized in recent years. Careeropportunities are many in which educatedprofessionals can make a good living whilemaking a positive impact on the community.

To learn more about any and all of theseopportunities, contact Donna Anderson, director,OSCE, at 412-397-6492 or [email protected]; or Jess Mann, assistant director, OSCE, at 412-397-6491 or [email protected]. The OSCE is located in the Nicholson Center, 2nd floor, nearthe student mailboxes. Hours: Monday – Friday,8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Encourage your student tostop by and see us!

“The best way to findyourself is to lose yourself

in the service of others.”Mahatma Gandhi


LET THE JOB SEARCH BEGIN: CAREER EXPO 2014

The Career Expo provides an excellentopportunity to connect with potential employersin a wide range of career fields includingaccounting, communications, engineering,finance, healthcare, hospitality, insurance, socialservices, technology and more! Employerparticipants may be seeking candidates forinternships, part-time jobs or full-time positions.Students and alumni should take advantage ofthis event to jump-start their job search andexpand their professional networking.

The Career Center will be inviting graduateschools to the Career Expo as well as employers.Students interested in pursuing graduate studywill have the opportunity to talk withrepresentatives from a variety of graduate schools.

Parents/family members can be very helpful inreminding students to prepare for and attend theevent. When doing so, please also remind them ofthe 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

While preparing for the Career Expo, students areencouraged to review the Job Fair Tip Sheet,available on the Career Center’s website. Studentsare also encouraged to meet with a careercounselor for a resume review and/or to discusscareer goals and job fair success strategies. Toschedule an appointment, students may call theCareer Center at 412-397-6333. For additionalinformation about the Career Expo andrepresentatives who will be attending the event,students and alumni may login to ColonialTRAK,click on the “Events” tab, select “AdvancedSearch,” enter “Career Expo 2014” in the “CareerEvent Name box,” and click “Search.”

Parents and family members are also welcome topromote the event to their employer or otherbusinesses, organizations, and graduate schools inthe community. Employers or graduate schoolsinterested in registering for the Career Expo maydo so by visiting the following website:rmu.edu/careerexpo. The website includesdetailed information about the event andregistration fees. The deadline foremployer/graduate school registration is Friday,September 19, 2014.

The 2015 Spring Career Fair will be held on April7th from noon – 4:00 p.m. The event will be heldin the Sewall Center Arena.

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 typicallyattracts over 100 employers. The event is open only to RMU students and alumni.

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The RMU experience can be life changing forstudents in many aspects. Ultimately though, onedesired outcome is for graduates to obtainchallenging, meaningful, and rewarding careers.While preparing for the job market, it is essentialto first understand what employers are lookingfor in candidates.

According to the Job Outlook 2014, published bythe National Association of Colleges andEmployers, after considering GPA, the followingrepresent the top ten attributes employers seek ona 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 surveyedindicated they prefer to hire candidates withrelevant work experience. Only 1.1 percentresponded that they do not factor workexperience into their hiring decisions.

Consequently, students are presented with quite achallenge during college. They must do wellacademically while gaining relevant workexperience. In order to develop and demonstrate

the variety of skills sought by employers, theymust also engage in extracurricular activities suchas clubs/organizations, volunteering, studyabroad, etc. The earlier a student begins to obtainthese experiences, the better. It takes time to builda strong and competitive resume.

Parents and family members can help students inmany ways throughout the process, but two keystrategies are outlined below.

BE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT RESOURCESThe RMU Career Center provides a wide array ofservices and resources to help students includingcareer counseling, workshops, resume and coverletter reviews, practice interviews, part-time,internship and full-time job search assistance, jobfairs and networking events, academic internshipprograms, and a student employment program. Acalendar of events, as well as more informationabout our services, can be found on our website atrmu.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.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO ENGAGE IN THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROCESS EARLY…AND HOW PARENTS CAN HELP


The Career Center reaches out to students in anumber of ways throughout their four years.However, we recognize that students arepresented with a lot of information and demandson their time. When students are feelingoverwhelmed and trying to navigate their careerdevelopment journey, it can be helpful for parentsand family members to be aware of our servicesand resources as well, in order to providereminders that the Career Center is here to help.

HELP FACILITATE NETWORKING CONTACTSTalking to professionals in a student’s field ofinterest is very helpful as they explore careeroptions and clarify their goals. Networking alsoremains one of the most effective job searchstrategies. In addition to sponsoring several jobfairs and networking events throughout theyear, the Career Center also maintains theRobert Morris University Career Network, anonline LinkedIn networking group, consisting of

over 900 alumni, employers, and members of the campus community.

Parents and family members can also providevaluable connections through their own friends,relatives, co-workers, and community members.Regardless of whether a student is justbeginning their college experience or nearinggraduation, networking is extremely beneficial.First-year students may appreciate their parentssetting up shadowing experiences orinformational interviews while upper-classstudents may benefit from your help with initial contact information.

Like parents and family members, the Career Center is committed to theprofessional success of RMU students. If you have any questions about our services or resources, please refer to our website orcontact us at 412-397-6333 or [email protected].

CONNECTING WITH YOUR SPIRITUAL SIDEThe Campus Ministry Association (CMA)welcomes all new students and their families toRobert Morris University. The mission of theCMA is to assist and enhance the spiritualdevelopment of the RMU community.

The association is blessed with many religiousleaders who generously serve students, staff,and faculty throughout the academic year bylistening to their needs while providing diverseprogramming. Recognizing that the transition

into college life can be challenging, and thatsometimes faith can get lost along the way, allnew students are encouraged to take a coupleminutes to complete our religious survey. Thepurpose of this survey is to connect studentswith their campus minister when they arrive atRMU. You can find a link to this survey alongwith other pertinent campus ministryinformation at the following link:http://studentlife.rmu.edu/campus-ministry-association

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CARE PACKAGE PROGRAMCollege is an exciting time in your student’s lifethat will be full of positive experiences andprovide numerous rewards for his or her future.It also presents new challenges that will helpyour student grow. As a parent, you play animportant role in supporting your child andgiving positive reinforcement, which can betricky from home.

To help bridge the distance between home andcampus, we provide a “Care Package” programeach year. Student and parent response to thisprogram each year has been wonderful. Eachpackage is filled with a variety of personalizedRMU items and several treats that your child is

sure to love. As an added surprise, yourpersonal hand-written note comes with each care package. There are 6 packages total: Welcome, R-M-Boo, Fall Finals, Be MyValentine, Out of the Blue, and Spring FinalsPackage. 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 youreceive this summer about our care packageprogram. You can learn more about the programon the Office of Residence Life’s website athttp://studentlife.rmu.edu/residence-life.

FALL 2014 MOVE IN INFORMATIONFall 2014 is just around the corner! Upper-classstudents will be permitted to return to campusAugust 22-24. Fifteen-week fall classes begin on Monday, August 25. Specific move in timeswill be available on our website atrmu.edu/residencelife.

If you would like to request to move in early please call our office at 412-397-5252or email [email protected]. Students may not

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 theYorktown front desk.

Additional information regarding our arrivalprocedures and the New Student Orientationprogram will be sent soon.


MULTICULTURAL STUDENT SERVICESMulticultural Student Services seeks to enhancethe college experience for all Robert MorrisUniversity students by introducing them to the benefits of diversity. Intertwined within the program are social, educational, and leadership events and opportunitiesdesigned to help students have a greaterappreciation for themselves and for thosesharing the world with them. MulticulturalStudent Services has been, and will continue to be, an agent of positive change in the Robert Morris University community.

There are numerous opportunities for studentsto be involved and to participate in activitiesthat promote and encourage inclusivity. Theoffice sponsors the Diversity Speaker Series formembers of the RMU community to hear variedopinions and thoughts on diversity-relatedissues. Topics in the past have included

academic success for athletes, the hidden history of the Chinese in Pittsburgh, Hip Hophistory, and supporting disadvantaged youth in Pittsburgh.

The office also sponsors the Multicultural PeerMentor program. Mentors work with incomingstudents to help them navigate the hardshipsthat come with being a multicultural student at a Predominately White Institution.

With over ten student organizations to join thatfall under the multicultural umbrella, studentshave a plethora of options to choose from. Weencourage all students to come out for theFourth Annual De La Gente Festival to be heldon September 6th on the Nichoslon Front lawnto meet some amazing students and enjoy musicand 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 receivenotifications of an ebill when available, pleasehave your student use the following steps tocreate an account.

STEP 1 Edit their release information throughSentry Secured Services to add guestinformation• 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 accessinformation at rmu.edu/sentryshared

Sign on to sign up at rmu.edu/sentryshared

18 RMU.EDU

RESIDENT STUDENT “MONTH OF SERVICE”Many college students enter the world of highereducation with some volunteer experienceunder their belts; some needed to complete a setnumber of volunteer hours to graduate whileothers sought out community serviceopportunities to make their college applicationsstand out. Some simply felt a desire to give back,adding volunteer service to their alreadyrigorous schedules. Once those college studentsstart their first year on campus, though, a slewof academic and social activities may take theplace of those volunteer hours and drawattentions away from volunteer work in thecommunity. With busy lives, it can be hard tofind time to volunteer. However, the benefits ofvolunteering are enormous to students.

Not only have many studies demonstrated thatstudents who volunteer are happier but thereare countless personal and professional benefitsto volunteer work. One of the best ways to makenew friends and strengthen existingrelationships is to commit to a shared activitytogether. Volunteering is a great way to meetnew people, especially for college freshmen.Volunteering also strengthens students’ ties tothe community and broadens their supportnetwork, exposing them to people with commoninterests, neighborhood resources, and fun andfulfilling activities. Participation in volunteerwork also helps increase students’ self-confidence, combats depression, and helpsstudents stay physically fit.

The Office of Residence Life recognized theenormous benefits that come with studentparticipation in volunteer work and strived tofind a way to incorporate volunteer work withinResidence Life educational initiatives. From thisgoal developed a partnership between the Officeof Residence Life and Student Civic EngagementOffice. Through this partnership both officescreated RMU’s first “Month of Service”.Beginning in fall 2014, each residence hall willpartner with a service partner and as a team ofresidents, community advisors, and ResidenceLife professional staff members, each residencehall will work to give back to our community.The service partners included are PittsburghParks Conservancy, Western PA Conservancy,Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, PittsburghDowntown Partnership, Hollow Oakland Trust,World Vision, West Hills Health and Rehab, andHabitat for Humanity of Beaver County.

Students are encouraged to join their residencehall peers to build friendships while serving thelocal community. The variety of service projectswill seek to include students of all interests.Service projects will include reviving naturetrails, planting and seeding flowers, garbageremoval, sorting of donated goods on a largescale, special projects and programs, and beinginvolved in the planning and execution of houseconstruction. The Office of Residence Life andStudent Civic Engagement Office hopes toestablish a tradition of service through the bondsthat residents make during the university’s“Month of Service.”


INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCESINFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RMU.EDU/ITfacebook.com/RMUInformationTechnologytwitter.com/RMU_ITView RMU classrooms: rmu.edu/classrooms

HELP DESK RMU.EDU/HELP412-397-2211

TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE RMU.EDU/RESNETResNet assists resident students with resolvingtechnology problems. Offices are located on thefirst floors of Lexington and Yorktown Halls andin Braddock Hall. Walk-ins to ResNet are alwayswelcome! 412-397-2299

RMU MOBILE APP RMU.EDU/MOBILEAPPThis app will highlight the academic calendar;library, fitness, dining, lab, and shuttle hours, aswell as a faculty directory. You will be able toview your personal check sheet, class schedule,and grades.

PASSWORD CHANGE RMU.EDU/PASSWORDSTo better protect your RMU accounts, you will berequired to periodically change your passwords.

REMOTE ACCESS RMU.EDU/VIEWVMware View is RMU’s 24/7 remote computerlab and office environment. Access a Windows 7desktop containing all general RMU lab softwarefrom any Internet connection.

RMU ALERT RMU.EDU/ALERTRMU Alert is our emergency notification systemthat rapidly sends text, voice, and networkbroadcast messages during critical situations suchas power outages, weather-related closings anddelays, and campus security situations.

GOOGLE APPS FOR EDUCATION GOOGLE.COM/2STEP Students have access to Google Apps forEducation, which includes Gmail, Drive(spreadsheets, documents, presentations),Calendar, Sites, Chat, and Hangouts. ITrecommends further securing your account with2-Step Verification. Learn more and enroll today.

RMU WIRELESS RMU.EDU/WIRELESSRMU wireless networks are available in allresidence halls, campus buildings, the IslandSports Center, and RMU Downtown.

PRINTING RMU.EDU/PRINTINGEvery RMU student has printing funds and eachof our computer labs has access to a printer. Theselabs are a great place to print assignments andwork on group projects. PRINT FROM YOURLAPTOP TO RMU NETWORKED LABPRINTERS rmu.edu/WiFiPrint

CAMPUS COMPUTER LABS RMU.EDU/LABSThe computer lab in Jefferson is a 24/7 general labfor student use. The Library has computers thatare available for student use during Libraryhours. When not in classroom use, there aremultiple labs in the Hale and Wheatley Centersopen daily from 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

ACCEPTABLE TECHNOLOGY USE RMU.EDU/P2P RMU takes a proactive approach to protect youfrom violating copyright infringement laws andviolating the Student Code of Conduct and ITAcceptable Use Policy.

CABLE TV RMU.EDU/CABLETVRMU has partnered with Comcast to providecable television service to all residence hall rooms.

FOLLOW US ONTWITTER!

Be sure to checkRMU on yourfavorite social

media sites. Beloware several Twitteraccounts you canfollow to keep up-to-date with news

and events oncampus:

@RMU

@RMUathletics

@RMUSentryMedia

@RMUCampusRec

@RMUCareerCenter

@RMUHealth

@RMUDining

@RMUGreekLife

@RMU_IT

@RMUlticultural

RMUResLife

@RMU_OSCEOffice of Student

Civic Engagement@RMUnow

Office of Student Life@RMUNurse

Student HealthServices

UPCOMING EVENTSVisit rmu.edu for the university’s full calendar of events.

AUGUST21–24 New Student Orientation

25–30 Welcome Week

SEPTEMBER1 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

17 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

OCTOBERDISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTHITALIAN HERITAGE MONTH

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)

15 WESTPACS Job Fair – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Monroeville Convention Center

16 Diversity Speakers Series – 4:30 – 6 p.m. – Sewall Center

16 Meet the Colonials Basketball Preview – 9 p.m.

Sewall Center Arena

FAMILYConnections

STUDENT LIFE

6001 University BoulevardMoon Township, PA 15108rmu.edu

Documents

Family Connections Fall 2014