STUDENT Life

STUDENT HOUSING 
MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

Students who have not earned 60 credit hours are required to live on campus. On-campus housing is defined as residing in one of the following residence halls: East Village, Reighard Hall, Shenks Hall, South Village or West Village. Students entered into a housing contract are obligated to the full term of their housing agreement regardless of their credit hours completed and/or class standing, including graduate student status. Students are obligated to the full term of their housing agreement regardless of credit hours completed. There are additional terms and conditions which affect this policy.  

UNIVERSITY DINING SERVICES

Millersville operates a comprehensive dining service program for students, faculty, staff, and guests of the University. All students are eligible to participate in the dining program. Students who reside in the University managed residence halls, are required to purchase a Meal Plan. (See Meal Plan – Description and Rates, under Expenses and Financial Aid). All Residence Hall students will automatically be setup with the 19 Ville Plan as an default. Students with 30 credit hours or more will be able to change their meal plan prior to the first day of classes. Off-campus students, including those living in Student Lodging, Millersville, and all commuters may participate in any of our Traditional and Block Meal Plans, which offer exceptional flexibility at various locations throughout the campus. All Dining locations are open to our students and campus community with or without a Meal Plan. University residents and community may dine at the Upper Deck, our “all-you-care-to-eat” dining hall, located in Gordinier Hall. Our retail dining locations are in Gordinier Hall – The Anchor and the Evergreen Café, Student Memorial Center – Galley, Lyle Hall - Cove and Starbucks at the Francine G. McNairy Learning Forum and Library. The Anchor on the first floor of Gordinier Hall features a bakery, showcasing items from our own bake shop, breakfast sandwiches and build-your and grab ‘n go and made-to-order selections, fresh fruit and yogurt bar, a convenience store, a creamery, and full range of beverages. Looking for a pre-work or post workout smoothie or protein shake, stop by the Anchor. Our newest dining opportunity is the popular “Get-Food” app, with pickup available at Starbucks. Descriptions of meal plans and dining hours are available at www.millersville.edu/dining.

For more information, see the section under Expenses and Financial Aid.

CENTER FOR COUNSELING AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

The Center for Counseling and Human Development, located on the third floor of Lyle Hall, is committed to providing quality mental health care to a diverse student body.  The Center supports the academic mission of the University by enhancing students’ emotional, social, and personal development.  Accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services, the Center seeks to engage students in counseling, consultation, and outreach to realize their potential and persist to graduation. Licensed psychologists and counselors help students reach greater self-understanding and enhance their abilities to manage immediate and future concerns. Individual counseling, crisis intervention, educational workshops, group experiences and consultation services are available to all registered Millersville University students. Alcohol and other drug counseling is provided by a Counselor with expertise in this area.  A psychiatrist is also available for medication evaluation and management once a student has been seen by a Center clinician. All services are confidential, professional and at no cost to students.  

HEALTH SERVICES

The Elsie S. Shenk Center for Health Education and Promotion (CHEP), located in the Cumberland House, contributes to fulfilling the educational mission of Millersville University by empowering students to make informed decisions and develop lifelong skills that enhance their personal well-being. CHEP contributes to the health, academic success, and retention of students by providing current and relevant information about high-risk behaviors; raising awareness about personal decision making and the impact decisions have on an individual and their community; and engaging students in meaningful opportunities to create a healthy community where all students can achieve their personal and academic goals.

Wellness Coaching is a free service provided through CHEP to students. Wellness Coaching is an individualized process for helping students achieve a higher level of well-being and performance in their academic pursuits as well as life in general when change is desired, yet difficult to achieve. It empowers students to explore health topics of stress, sleep, social support, and substance use. Students can schedule appointments by emailing wellness.coaching@millersville.edu.

CHEP has community partnerships with various Lancaster community organizations to provide students with free resources and services. Sexual assault advocacy services are provided by the YWCA Lancaster in the Cumberland House. Relationship violence advocacy services are provided by Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster. Additional information can be found on the website www.millersville.edu/chep

STUDENT CONDUCT AND COMMUNITY STANDARDS

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (SCCS) fosters student learning and success by balancing individual and community rights, while promoting a safe, student-centered, and inclusive community. The SCCS administers and provides education on the Student Conduct & Community Standards Handbook, advocates for students’ rights, and upholds the community standards and values of Millersville University. The office educates students about the expectations of the Millersville University community and assists them in their development. Through the discipline process, the SCCS challenges students to think ethically and critically about their decision making and role within the campus community. The SCCS teaches accountability and responsible citizenship so every student will thrive within Millersville University’s diverse and dynamic academic community. SCCS works to ensure all Millersville University students have an exceptional, productive, and challenging educational experience in a safe and civil environment.  

Millersville University provides diverse, dynamic, meaningful experiences to inspire learners to grow both intellectually and personally to enable them to contribute positively to local and global communities. The Office of Student Access and Support Services (SASS) is a home base for students and families that provides individual support through academic and personal coaching with a holistic approach.

CAMPUS LIFE 

While the majority of Millersville undergraduates are full-time residential students of traditional college age, an increasing number of students are working professionals, commuters, age 23 or older, attending part-time and/or parents of young children. Millersville is working to meet the needs of these students through a variety of services.

For information on admission to Millersville as a nontraditional or adult student, see the section on Admission to Millersville University. For more information on services for adult students, contact graduate.admissions@millersville.edu, or call (717) 871-4723.

Special Educational Facilities

Language and Culture Studies Media Center

The Language and Culture Studies media center in McComsey Hall includes the instructional digital language lab with 30 student stations. The department also has a collection of visual, audio, games and print materials for the study and teaching of French, German and Spanish.

Francine G. McNairy Library and Learning Forum

The Francine G. McNairy Library and Learning Forum is a learner-centered hub for the University community, dedicated to educating, inspiring and connecting people with ideas, information and each other. Librarians and information professionals are available to assist students with online and in-person research, information literacy and accessing information resources appropriate for their studies.

Students and members of the University community can access library resources by visiting the library or the library’s website, www.library.millersville.edu. Library collections include electronic journals, databases, streaming video and eBooks, as well as physical collections and collections of books, films, and curriculum kits. The Archives and Special Collections is a repository for unique historical documents and records focused on the University and local region. The library features spaces for research and learning, including the Digital Learning Studio, where students can seek assistance with digital content creation, 3D printing and other current technologies. Flexible spaces for group and individual study and meetings are available for any member of the Millersville University community to use.

In addition, the Francine G. McNairy Library and Learning Forum is home to the Writing Center, an advising center, the Integrated Studies office and the Starbucks Café.

Student Policies

Students are expected to familiarize themselves with and abide by all student conduct regulations found in this catalog and other University publications, including the Student Code of Conduct, the Living on Campus Handbook and the Student Handbook. Please refer to the Student Handbook for information on student discrimination grievance procedures, sexual-harassment policy, and policy on sales and vendors.

Identification Card

Enrolled students are required to have a Millersville University identification card. The card is needed for facility access and for the use of many campus services and activities.

Identification cards may be obtained at the campus I.D. office in the lobby of the Boyer Building. There is no charge for the first card, and the current fee for replacement is posted in the campus I.D. office.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Extended hours for the beginning of fall and spring semesters are posted at the I.D. office.

Motor Vehicles

All vehicles parked on the properties of Millersville University must display a valid University-issued parking permit. Permits may be secured at the University Police Parking Division, located at Lebanon House (237 N. George St., rear lower level).

Violations of University parking regulations may result in parking violation tickets and possible disciplinary action, including cancellation of parking privileges, the withholding of grades and the denial of registration privileges. Parking sections of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code (Title 75) are also enforced on the properties of Millersville University.

The Parking Division will utilize a waiting list in the event resident student parking reaches capacity for students who live in University residence halls. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Hours are extended at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters and are posted at the University Police Department.

Privacy of Student Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 was amended in December 2008 by the U.S. Department of Education. It gives students the right to review their academic records, to challenge their contents and to protect their confidentiality. Basic directory information may be disclosed without prior consent of the student. In the event of an alcohol-related incident or a health/safety emergency, parents may be considered appropriate parties to whom a nonconsensual disclosure may be made.

Millersville’s policy on the confidentiality of student records is available from the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Directory information is used to report student achievements in academic, athletic and extracurricular activities through appropriate media. Students may request that such information not be released by filing a written request during the first two weeks of each semester with the Office of the Registrar, Lyle Hall.

Annual notification of the University’s policy on confidentiality of student records is also posted on the registrar’s website.

Students may file complaints about the contents of their records or alleged wrongful disclosures of information with the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited inside all campus buildings.

Academic Honesty Policy

Students of the University are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. To falsify the results of one’s research, to steal the words or ideas of another, to cheat on an examination, or to allow another person to commit or assist another in committing an act of academic dishonesty corrupts the essential process by which knowledge is advanced.

Actions that Violate the Academic Honesty Policy

The below lists are for illustration only. They should not be construed as restrictive or exhaustive enumeration of the various forms of conduct that constitute violation of the academic honesty policy.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the inclusion of someone else’s words, ideas or data as one’s own work. When an individual submits work that includes the words, ideas or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate and specific references, and if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks or other accepted citation practices. By placing their name on a scholarly product, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgments. Plagiarism would thus include representing as one’s own any academic exercise (e.g., written work, computer program, sculpture, etc.) prepared totally or in part by another. An individual will avoid being charged with plagiarism if there is an acknowledgment of indebtedness whenever one:

1. quotes another person’s actual words;
2. uses another person’s ideas, opinions or theories, even if they are completely paraphrased in one’s own words;
3. borrows facts, statistics or other illustrative materials, unless the information is common knowledge.

These guidelines should be followed for all source types, including books, newspapers, pamphlets, journal articles, websites and other online resources. The above list is for illustration only. It should not be construed as restrictive or exhaustive enumeration of the various forms of conduct that constitute violations of the academic honesty policy.

Fabrication

Fabrication is the falsification of research or other findings. The below list is for illustration only. It should not be construed as restrictive or exhaustive enumeration of the various forms of conduct that constitute violation of the academic honesty policy.

1. Citation of information not taken from the source indicated.
2. Listing in a bibliography sources not actually consulted.
3. Inventing data or other information for research or other academic projects.

Cheating

Cheating is the act or attempted act of deception by which an individual tries to misrepresent that they have mastered subject matter in an academic project, or the attempt to gain an advantage by the use of illegal or illegitimate means. The below list is for illustration only. It should not be construed as restrictive or exhaustive enumeration of the various forms of conduct that constitute violation of the academic honesty policy.

1. Copying from another student’s test paper.
2. Allowing another student to copy from one’s test paper.
3. Using the course textbook, or other material such as a notebook, brought to class meetings but unauthorized for use during a test.
4. Collaborating during a test with another person by receiving or providing information without the permission of the instructor.
5. Using or possessing specifically prepared, unauthorized materials during a test (e.g., notes, formula lists, formulas programmed into calculators, notes written on the student’s clothing or person).

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is the violation of University policies by tampering with grades or participating in the distribution of any part of a test before its administration. The below list is for illustration only. It should not be construed as restrictive or exhaustive enumeration of the various forms of conduct that constitute violation of the academic honesty policy.

1. Stealing, buying or otherwise obtaining all or part of an unadministered test.
2. Selling or giving away all or part of an unadministered test, including answers to an unadministered test.
3. Bribing, or attempting to bribe, any other person to obtain an unadministered test or any information about the test.
4. Buying, or otherwise acquiring, another’s course paper and submitting it as one’s own work, whether altered or not.
5. Entering a building, office or computer for the purpose of changing a grade in a grade book, on a test or on other work for which a grade is given.
6. Changing, altering or being an accessory to changing and/or altering a grade in a grade book, on a test, on a “Change of Grade” form or other official academic University record which relates to grades.
7. Entering a building, office or computer for the purpose of obtaining an unadministered test.
8. Continuing to work on an examination or project after the specified allotted time has elapsed.
9. Taking a test or course for someone else or permitting someone else to take a test or course in one’s place.
10. Giving or taking unauthorized aid in a take-home exam or paper.
11. Submitting work for a class that was already submitted for another class, when unauthorized, or allowing another student to submit or copy from your previously submitted classwork.

What Can Students Do To Protect Themselves from Being Charged with Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy?

1. Prepare thoroughly for examinations and assignments; this also implies attending class on a regular basis.
2. Take the initiative to prevent other students from copying your exams or assignments (e.g., shield your answer sheet during examinations; don’t lend assignments to other students for them to copy and turn in).
3. Check your instructor’s course syllabus for a section dealing with academic honesty for that course, information on what style sheets or standards manuals to use, etc. If you can’t find such a section, ask the instructor about expectations in this area. Instructors should issue clear guidelines at the beginning of a course as to what constitutes dishonesty; ultimately, however, it is the student’s responsibility to clear up any uncertainties ahead of time.
4. Don’t look in the direction of other students’ papers during examinations.
5. Use a recognized handbook for instruction on citing source materials in papers. Consult with individual instructors or academic departments when in doubt.
6. Make use of tutorial services, or other services that may be available, to assist in preparing papers and completing other course assignments properly.
7. Discourage dishonesty among other students.
8. Refuse to assist students who cheat.

Actions Which May Be Taken for Violation of the Academic Honesty Policy

When a faculty member suspects that an act of academic dishonesty has occurred, he/she will meet with the student to:

1. discuss the alleged act;
2. hear any defense the student may have;
3. discuss any proposed academic sanctions;
4. inform the student of their right to appeal faculty-imposed sanctions to the department chair and/or dean of the college.

Academic sanctions that may be imposed by the faculty member include:

1. a verbal reprimand;
2. a written reprimand;
3. requiring the student to redo/resubmit the assignment, test or project;
4. lowering the grade for the assignment, test or project.

Academic sanctions that require a formal charge to be filed with the Associate Provost for Academic Administration include:

1. any sanction in excess of lowering the grade for an assignment, test or project;
2. failing the student for the course;
3. recommending temporary or permanent suspension from the academic major or University.

Faculty members are encouraged to submit a report for each violation of the academic honesty policy to the Associate Provost for Academic Administration regardless of the academic sanction imposed or requested. If more than one such report is filed for a student, even in the case of sanctions imposed only by the faculty member, then the Associate Provost for Academic Administration will meet with the student to discuss these occurrences and possibly impose additional academic sanctions.

Confidentiality

In accordance with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, any information relating to an alleged violation of the University’s Student Code of Conduct or to the outcome of a judicial hearing must be treated as strictly confidential by members of the faculty.