In a 1997 State System survey of 400 Millersville undergraduates, nearly 90% agreed at least somewhat that "most students feel a sense of belonging." Millersville students are not very involved in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, however. While roughly 90% of the students felt Millersville was doing at least a good job providing an affordable education and a safe campus environment, only 70% felt Millersville was doing at least a good job providing on-campus activities. They reported spending one hour less per week participating in University-sponsored activities than their State System peers. While 90% of our students participated in two or more clubs or organizations in high school, only 60% participate in such activities or plan to at Millersville. We speculate that about half of our undergraduates go home on weekends.
A particular concern is anecdotal evidence that students of color participate in extracurricular activities at an even lower rate than other students do. During 1998-1999, we took initial steps to address this by sponsoring a series of diversity training workshops for student leaders. One of workshops' objectives was to raise their understanding of relationships between students of color and others and barriers that can create tension and conflict.
Millersville's student life programs are supported by two entry-level staff members. A benchmarking study of eight peer universities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York showed they average four staff members in this area.
MU Journeys: New Student Orientation
MU Journeys is our orientation program for new undergraduates and their parents. Its purpose is to help students successfully make the transition to University life by conveying our mission and values and shaping expectations for involvement and behavior. We expect our students to get involved in campus life, and we make every effort to promote this clearly from the onset of their experience here.
During two-day summer programs, incoming students take placement tests, meet their academic advisors, receive their Fall schedules, and learn about opportunities for extra-curricular and co-curricular enrichment. Small group discussions, led by trained student leaders, articulate our expectations for behavior and involvement. A program added in 1999 communicates our values of accountability, involvement, and appreciating diversity. An intensive two-week training program for student leaders reinforces life skills such as public speaking, conflict resolution and teamwork.
Judging from evaluations completed by 434 students and 303 parents in 1999, MU Journeys is well received and gives new students an excellent introduction to Millersville and the value of out-of-class opportunities. The program may, however, be insufficient to significantly impact student culture. In their book, Involving Colleges: Successful Approaches to Fostering Student Learning and Development Outside the Classroom, Kuh et al. describe an "involving college" of fully integrated student, faculty, and staff learners. To become such a campus, we may need a formal mechanism such as a freshman year seminar to better convey the value of developing life skills and a healthy lifestyle.
Cultural Environment and Special Campus Events
Millersville offers students an extensive array of cultural and intellectual opportunities and other special events that bring a wealth of perspectives to campus and introduce students to new ideas. The Cultural Affairs Committee sponsors dance, theatre, pop and classical music performances, funded through student fees allocated by the Student Senate. The University Activities Board plans movies, concerts, lectures, and day trips. Annual lectureships, listed on pages 39-40 of the 1998-2000 undergraduate catalog, are mostly funded through private sources or endowments. Scholar-in-residence programs are co-sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Committee and academic departments. The yearlong Celebration of Black Culture and the Latino Celebration celebrate diversity and enrich the campus climate (see Chapter 8). Each year the Faculty Senate chooses an Academic Theme that is brought to life through an assortment of speakers and special events. The 1998-1999 academic theme was "Millersville University: A Community of Learners," and the 1999-2000 academic theme is "Looking Back at the 20th Century."
To assess the effectiveness of such efforts, ten student focus groups, consisting of roughly 20 students each, were conducted in Fall 1999. Students reported that they prefer popular speakers and performers rather than those known only in academic circles. They suggested that events planned solely by student organizations often fail to attract audiences due to lack of experience with publicity, logistics and planning. If, however, University staff step in and provide too much assistance, the event is viewed as "administratively run" and attracts student criticism.
Student attendance at cultural and intellectual events varies; those required for class credit are well attended. Many students in the focus groups reported that they do not attend these programs unless faculty give credit for doing so. They acknowledged, however, that when they attend these programs, they usually find them to be interesting and worthwhile.
Family Weekend, Homecoming, and Superfest
Family Weekend, held each Fall, aims to continue the family acclimation begun in MU Journeys by further acquainting families with faculty, administrators, and students and giving them a positive on-campus experience with their student. In 1998 the Family Weekend Committee surveyed participating parents and peer institutions and, in 1999, launched new programs and activities to appeal to a broader audience, such as evening entertainment by student performers.
Homecoming usually takes place later in the Fall semester. While the event focuses on alumni, it includes activities for students that are designed to build campus spirit, such as a parade, competitions, and a Black Student Union sponsored comedy show. Students elect a Charity King and Queen through contributions to the candidates' favorite charities.
Approximately 2,100 students participated in Homecoming events in Fall 1998, a decline from 2,400 in 1997 and 2,200 in 1996. The $27,000 raised for the Charity King and Queen competition grew, however, from $15,000 in 1996 and $19,000 in 1997, and the 19 student entries in the parade grew from 14 in 1997.
Superfest, a four-day event held near the end of the Spring semester, aims to give students a healthy outlet for their end-of-semester energies. It includes concerts, outdoor games, and a late night breakfast served by the President and other senior administrators.
EXCEL and MU Getaway Weekend: Developing Leaders
Millersville offers two programs designed to groom student leaders. "EXCEL: On Target with Student Leadership" was launched in 1998 to prepare students for the challenges of leadership in college and beyond. The yearlong program is designed and presented by faculty and staff, a good model for partnerships between academic and student life programs. Approximately 100 students participated in 1998-1999; it is too soon to tell how many will go on to campus leadership positions.
MU Getaway is a student-run leadership weekend program that addresses new students' need for inclusion and affirmation. Past participants who have been trained in group facilitation and program design serve as student leaders. About 80 students participate annually; some go on to hold student leadership roles.
Seven percent of our undergraduates belong to one of 20 social fraternities and sororities which, under the guidance of the All Greek Council, promote school spirit through Greek Week, intramural participation, and the Homecoming Charity King and Queen competition. In the last two years we have initiated mandatory pledging education programs for Greek leaders and renewed our emphasis on academic performance. In 1998 a Greek Life Committee recommended that, on a two-year trial basis, we allow first-semester freshmen to join Greek organizations. It also recommended liability insurance requirements for Greek organizations. The first recommendation is being implemented; the second is under consideration.
The focal point for most student activities is the Student Memorial Center (SMC, pronounced "SMAC"). The SMC was renovated and expanded in 1991; new and improved features include the University Store, the Café de 'Ville (a large restaurant/snack bar), Reighard Multipurpose Room, an extensive Fitness Center, and a Copy Shop. The Club de 'Ville, a non-alcoholic lounge, opened in 1998 and offers entertainment at least four times a week.
In the focus groups described earlier in this chapter, students indicated that they like the SMC and find the Café de 'Ville a good place to meet informally and study, but they find the meeting rooms too much like classrooms. They like the Club de 'Ville but would like to see food service and comfortable furniture.
Most University facilities close by 11 p.m. at the latest. Students in the focus groups expressed interest in having the SMC open later, perhaps until 2 a.m., for recreation and socializing, providing a healthy alternative to off-campus parties serving alcohol. They would also like to see Ganser Library and computer laboratories open later for quiet study away from the residence halls.
When our new capital facilities master plan (see Chapter 11) was developed in 1998, we learned through student interviews that students see a strong distinction between life at the northern and southern ends of the campus. The southern end, with the SMC, Gordinier Dining Hall, and Ganser Library, was viewed as the center of campus life. The comparatively quiet northern end was viewed as relatively neglected in terms of services and activities. Millersville has already taken steps to improve services for students living in the northern residence halls. Lyle Dining Hall, which serves these students, has been renovated, and the Cove, a snack bar and convenience store, has been added. Lyle Student Services Building now brings many important services to the northern end.
Our new capital facilities master plan includes many improvements that will enhance students' development (see Chapter 11). The northern end of campus will include new performing arts and athletic complexes and apartment-style residence halls. The entire campus will feature more plazas and walkways, encouraging interaction among students and faculty.
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