Family Connections: April 2022

Jump to:

A MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT LIFE

As we come to the end of the 2021-2022 academic year, we thank all of our students, families, faculty and staff for your continued efforts to help keep our campus community healthy, safe, and open this academic year. Your commitment to getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and your support of our ongoing testing and mitigation efforts made the difference and allowed us to keep classes in-person, our facilities open, and services, programming, and resources for students moving forward. Our sincerest congratulations go out to our graduating students and families. We are proud of you! Warm wishes to our continuing students and families for a restful summer. We look forward to welcoming all of you back to campus in August.

John Michalenko

CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2022

Details regarding our annual Commencement activities can be found at www.rmu.edu/commencement. Our undergraduate ceremony on Saturday, May 7, at 9:30 a.m. at the UPMC Events Center.

Book Bundle

RMU BOOK BUNDLE – NEW THIS FALL

Starting with the Fall 2022 semester, Robert Morris University will offer students a convenient, low-cost option for renting textbooks and other course materials: The RMU Book Bundle, which allows students to save time and money by paying a flat, per-credit rate each semester for all textbooks and other course materials – all delivered directly to them in a single package.
 
What is included in the program?

The RMU Book Bundle service provides all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, and digital textbook versions. The only items that are not included are those that cannot be returned and reused, such as lab goggles, dissection kits, molecular model kits, engineering kits, or nursing kits.

How does it work?

All eligible students will be automatically enrolled in the RMU Book Bundle, so no action is required on their part to sign up. The rest is easy:

  • Register for your classes and the bookstore will start preparing your course materials.
  • One month before classes start, you will receive an email instructing you to select your delivery preference (in-store pickup or shipped directly to you).
  • An email notification will be sent when the order is ready for pickup or when it ships
  • Digital materials will be delivered for courses either within Blackboard or via a download code from the publisher or bookstore. 

What does it cost?

The cost is $27 per credit, no matter how many textbooks or other materials are required for each course. That can save students approximately 30 to 50 percent each semester compared to the traditional way to purchase or rent textbooks and course materials.
 
Do students have to participate in the RMU Book Bundle program?

No, students can opt out each semester if they decide that they would rather buy or rent textbooks and other course materials separately for each course. Students can choose to participate on a semester-by-semester basis.
 
Still have questions? 

You will find more information, including FAQs, at www.rmu.edu/books, and you can also contact Silvia Acosta-Carter, RMU's Barnes and Noble Bookstore manager, at 412-397-2757 or bookstoremgr@rmu.edu. Keep an eye out for updates and more information in the weeks to come.

Summer Classes

GET AHEAD WITH SUMMER COURSES

Summer registration is open, and classes offer students a chance to get ahead. Incoming freshmen get one free summer course of their choice. Summer classes include 10% tuition discounts, 25% off internship and practica credits, and many other benefits including free and highly discounted on-campus housing and free fitness center access. More at www.rmu.edu/summer.

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH

While the search for the next president of Robert Morris University is underway with a national search firm, the Board of Trustees has appointed Mary Ann Rafoth, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, as interim president.

Chairing the Presidential Search Committee is Carrie Coghill ‘08, vice chair of the Board of Trustees and president and CEO of Coghill Investment Strategies. Renee Cavalovitch, general counsel and vice president for legal affairs and risk management, has been appointed as chief transition officer.

Spring Move Out

SPRING MOVE OUT

Graduates: We are so excited to see your student accomplish their goal in completing their degree! They can fill out the Housing Cancellation Form for Fall 2022. That will let us know that they are graduating and will not be living on campus for the fall semester.

Students who are not graduating: If your student is not graduating, they will need to make arrangements to move out of the residence halls within 24 hours after their last final. The last day of finals is April 30.

SUMMER 2022 HOUSING

All RMU students who are registered for six credits, participating in an academic internship, employed on campus, or completing research with a professor during the summer term can apply for summer housing. Free and discounted summer housing options are offered to all students who meet these requirements. Students can apply for summer housing at www.rmu.edu/reslife. On-campus housing will be available from May 19 through July 26.

FALL 2022 HOUSING

Your student should have completed the housing selection process for Fall 2022. If they have not or have any questions about their fall housing, please contact the Office of Residence Life by email at reslife@rmu.edu or by phone at 412-397-5252.

Dining

DINING SERVICES

As we wrap up another semester, it has been a pleasure serving and meeting the dietary needs of students, faculty and staff. The final day to utilize the board plan for the Spring 2022 semester will be Friday, April 29. The PNC Café, Yorktown Café, and Hale Café will all close for the academic year at 2 p.m. that day. RoMo’s Café will offer regular summer hours Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. beginning Monday, May 8. The café will continue to operate with limited operations including Starbucks and “grab and go” items with retail available.

DINING PLAN DINING DOLLARS SET TO EXPIRE

Any allocation of Dining Dollars accrued through the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters will expire on Monday, May 9. Dining Dollars can be used at all on-campus dining and retail locations.
Be sure to follow us on our social channels to stay updated on all things food:

  • Instagram - rmudiningservices
  • Facebook – RMU Dining
  • Twitter - @RMUDining
  • FoodU App - download the free App to see dining updates, menus, hours of operation, and more

2022-2023 STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT

The university requires that all traditional undergraduate students, both full time and part time, carry health insurance coverage that is comparable to the established RMU health insurance plan. Additionally, all students in the following groups will be required to carry comparable health insurance coverage:

  • Club sport participants
  • Intercollegiate athletes
  • International students
  • Nursing students
  • Resident students
  • Nuclear medicine

Please encourage your student to submit his or her student health insurance information via our website at www.rmu.edu/studentinsurance for the upcoming 2022-2023 academic year. The deadline to submit alternate insurance information for next year is July 31. Information regarding the 2022-2023 RMU Student Health Plan, provided by UPMC Health Plan, will be sent to all continuing students early this summer for your review and consideration.

COVID-19 VACCINATION RECORDS

As a reminder, Robert Morris University requires that all students obtain a COVID-19 vaccination. Documentation of COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as the results of any COVID-19 testing, are maintained in our MyHealth@School Center. Students should send such documentation via email to studenthealthcenter@rmu.edu. Students who wish to receive consideration for an exemption request, should contact the MyHealth@School Center by phone at 412-397-6220 to receive an exemption request form.

The university will communicate with all students and families early this summer regarding any COVID-19 mitigation efforts that will be in place for the Fall 2022 semester.

COUNSELING CENTER SERVICES

The Counseling Center is a valuable resource to help students navigate the unique challenges and everyday stressors of college life. Our staff is passionate about serving the mental health needs of our students, empowering them to be resilient individuals who develop successful strategies for leading a meaningful and fulfilling life. As the 2021-2022 academic year comes to a close, we want to ensure that students are aware of the mental health/wellness resources available to them and know how to connect to the Counseling Center over the summer break. 

Currently enrolled RMU students who live in Pennsylvania are eligible, on a case-by-case basis, to receive virtual or in-person counseling services during the summer months. While professional licensure requirements preclude us from providing services to out-of-state students, our staff is happy to work with students to find local resources in their area. For details about the type of services available or referrals for local providers in your area, please contact us by email at counseling@rmu.edu or by phone at 412-397-5900. 

For more information about the RMU Counseling Center and our services, please visit our website at www.rmu.edu/counseling. To see what we’re up to over the summer break, be sure to follow us on social media at:

  • Twitter: @RMU_Counseling
  • Instagram: @RMU_THRIVE
  • Facebook: RMU Counseling Center

Graduate On Time

RMU’s mobile app, Navigate, is a student-centered mobile app that provides personalized information to help keep your student on the path toward academic success and timely graduation at RMU. Navigate helps reduce the email noise and clutter so students can get connected to the right resources at the right time. To get started, tell your student to search “Navigate Student” in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

FALL 2022 REGISTRATION

Fall registration is open. Through RMU's Banner student self-service portal, students can register for courses, see their transcript, review their degree progress, and check their account details.

FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
If you have not yet done so, please be sure to file the 2022-2023 FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov/FAFSA. PA residents should file prior to May 1. If that date is missed, PA state grant consideration will not be given for next year. 
Financial aid requirements and eligibility are made available in Banner Self Service - Student Financial Aid. 

2022 -2023 financial aid packages will be released by early June. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your Financial Aid Counselor if financial aid assistance is needed. Appropriate contact information can be found at www.rmu.edu/finaid.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 

  • 2-8 Greek Week (various events scheduled)
  • 4 Registration Begins for Fall 2022
  • 8 Greek Week Airband - 7:30 p.m. - Student Recreation Center
  • 9 Out of the Darkness Walk - 9:30 a.m. - Nicholson Center Lawn
  • 15 Spring Holiday. Administrative offices closed, no on-ground classes.
  • 19 Student Excellence Awards - 4:30 p.m. - Yorktown Hall (by invitation only)
  • 21 Club Sports Awards Program - 4 p.m. - Student Recreation Center (by invitation only)
  • 25 Last Day of Classes for Spring 2022 semester
  • 26-30 Final Exams according to published schedule
  • 26 Breakfast After Dark - 8 - 10 p.m. - PNC Colonial Cafe

May 

  • 6 Graduate Commencement - 4 p.m. - UPMC Events Center
  • 7 Undergraduate Commencement - 9:30 a.m. - UPMC Events Center