Campus Life

Misericordia University students take their total educational experience seriously. They recognize that their academic experience is richer when they participate in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities which contribute to their total development.

Athletics

Anderson Sports and Health Center

Misericordia University encourages all students to be involved in intramural and intercollegiate athletics. The intramural program includes activities for men and women in basketball, racquetball, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball, in addition to several other activities which are announced annually.

The intercollegiate athletic program offers competitive opportunities for women in basketball, cheerleading, cross-country, esports, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field and volleyball. Men compete at the intercollegiate level in baseball, basketball, cross-country, esports, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

The University retains membership in the NCAA Division III and subscribes to its principles, policies, and regulations.

A comprehensive statement of all athletic policies is found in the publication titled Student Athlete Handbook. This publication is available to all students online at the MU Athletic website under Inside Athletics.

The Anderson Sports and Health Center is an 80,000 square foot complex which serves the academic, athletic, and recreational needs of the University. Students are encouraged to make use of the gymnasium, racquetball courts, dance/aerobic studio, fitness center, and swimming pool.

With the exception of the swimming pool, athletic facilities are open according to the following schedule:

The swimming pool is open according to hours posted.

For more information on Misericordia Athletics, visit athletics.misericordia.edu.

Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry at Misericordia University serves the Mission of the University by making visible and effective our Mercy Charisms and Catholic Tradition. We seek to respond to the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy through advocacy, education and action.

We seek to reach out and respect persons of all faith backgrounds and traditions while inviting them to join us in our mission.

We do this by nurturing and celebrating our faith through prayer and liturgies; educating our students in Christian values, morals, leadership and decision making; developing in our students practices of prayer and reflection; fostering a passion for social justice issues that enable our students to be an advocate on behalf of those who are poor and oppressed; empowering students to be leaders in the community and on campus.

Liturgical Ministries

• Eucharistic Ministers
• Lectors
• Liturgical Choir
• Sacristans
• Hospitality Ministry for the Liturgy

Spirituality and Faith Formation

• Faith Sharing
• RCIA
• Retreats
• Bible Studies
• Praise and Worship
• Theology on Tap

Service to Others

• Adopt a grandparent at Meadows Nursing Facility and Mercy Center
• Blue Chip Farms
• Habitat for Humanity
• Soup Kitchen
• Starry Knights Tutoring
• Hospitality Ministry
• Adopt-a-Veteran
• Kids on Campus/ WWC Program
• Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm
• St. Joseph Center Day Care
• Serendipity Therapeutic Horse Farm

Social Justice

• Catholic Relief Services Student Ambassadors

Service Trips

• Jamaica Experience
• Spring Break Service Trips
• Fall Break Service Trips
• Special Mercy Leadership conferences and workshops for Students

Community Outreach Programs

• Community Workstudy Program
• Days of service on and off campus
• Dinner for Kids
• Holiday Meals Outreach program
• Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
• Mercy Leaders Program
• Starry Knights Tutoring Program

Mass Times and Reconciliation

All Catholic Liturgies are celebrated in the University Chapel unless otherwise noted. Times of liturgies are listed below;

Sunday Evening Liturgy 7:00 pm

Weekly Liturgy Schedule is Tuesdays at 7:00 pm

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated once a semester as a communal service. Individual reconciliation is celebrated anytime upon a special request.

Campus Ministry is located in the Banks Student Life Center. For more information about our programs and services, please call 570-674-6495.

Campus Safety

The Campus Safety Department is located in Room #7 on the ground floor at the East entrance to Mercy Hall. Officers are on duty 24/7, 365 days a year, to respond to calls for service.

An operational communications center, security dispatch and remote surveillance system, is maintained at this location. Officers patrol upper and lower campus areas on foot and in vehicles, and will respond to all calls for service. The department command structure includes the Director, four Supervisors, and 20 full-time and part-time Campus Safety Officers. Officers maintain Pa. Act 235 security certification or equivalent training and are additionally qualified in response to emergency situations, first aid, CPR and automatic external defibrillator (AED). Officers work in both an armed and unarmed capacity, and have detention authority when appropriate to preserve a safe and secure campus. Supplemental armed security personnel may be employed during certain events and situations. Response to critical situations on campus, including active shooter and/or mass casualty events, is a carefully coordinated effort between Campus Safety, local law enforcement, and other emergency responders.

Clubs and Organizations

Over 35 chartered student clubs and organizations provide opportunities for personal, intellectual, and social development in a wide variety of student interests. These activities include such options as educational workshops, musical attractions, publications, and performing art shows, among others.

Services offered through the student engagement department include leadership development programs, SOAR (Student Outdoor Adventure and Recreation) new student orientation programs, activities information, resources for programming and fundraising, a weekly bulletin, and the semester activities calendar.

Counseling and Psychological Services Center (CAPS)

Counselors are available to meet with students to explore a wide variety of issues.  Common concerns addressed are stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, academic distress, and substance abuse/addiction issues. The counseling staff is committed to helping students find appropriate and effective ways of managing their areas of concern.

All students are eligible for at least one initial assessment and consultation session to discuss their concerns and receive recommendations about potential services and resources.  Regarding individual counseling services, only full-time undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for ongoing individual counseling services beyond the first session.  After participating in the initial assessment and consultation session, students enrolled part-time will be provided with information about local resources that provide individual counseling as well as other services.

All students (i.e., part-time, full-time, undergraduate, graduate) are eligible to participate in all of the other services that the CAPS Center offers, including couples counseling, workshops, group counseling, substance abuse and addiction counseling, consultation services, referral services, and crisis intervention.  The CAPS Center also sponsors several student peer associate groups (e.g., Active Minds, HOPE, and Peer Advocates) and offers outreach programming on a variety of personal development topics and issues throughout the academic year.

All counseling services are provided free of charge to currently enrolled students.  Additionally, the topic of confidentiality is taken very seriously at the CAPS Center, since counseling often involves sharing personal and private information.  Confidentiality is maintained in compliance with state and federal laws as well as professional ethics and standards.  Client files at the CAPS Center are securely stored separately from students’ academic, medical, or career services records.  Information may not be released to anyone without the written consent of the student, except in rare cases, such as dangerousness to self or others, which the counselor will discuss in greater detail at the first session.

Regarding referrals, the CAPS Center utilizes a short-term counseling model and is not equipped to treat all types of psychological concerns. Some students may require more specialized or comprehensive treatment than what we can offer and will be referred to resources in the community. If applicable, the counselor will discuss these options in greater detail and answer any questions to support the student in making informed decisions.  If desired by the student, the CAPS Center is also available to consult with any current or prospective providers to provide information and help to ensure a smooth transition for continued care.

Counseling appointments may be made during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) by visiting the CAPS Center, located on the lower level of McGowan Hall, or by calling 570-674-6408.  Faculty, staff, or students who would like to consult about a concern or refer a student may call the CAPS Center at 570-674-6408 or walk with the student to the CAPS Center during business hours to ensure immediate access to a counselor.  A Counselor On Call is also available 24/7 for crisis situations on campus and is accessed by contacting a RA/RD or Campus Safety at 570-674-6300 (Note: The Counselor On Call system is not in operation over university holidays, winter break, or over the summer).

Substance Abuse Education Programs

The CAPS Center also offers a wide range of Substance Abuse Education that is coordinated by the Addictions Counselor, Darcy Brodmerkel, M.Ed., CAADC. If you are interested in any of the listed offerings, please reach out to Darcy Brodmerkel at [email protected].

Alternatives

This is a full-day alcohol and other substance education class scheduled on campus 4-5 times per semester on a Saturday. There is a $50.00 fee for this class and students who are typically found responsible for a first time alcohol violation on campus or are cited by the police and have not attended this class are required to attend.

Under the Influence

This is an online alcohol education program. There is a $35.00 fee for this program, paid online with a credit card.

Marijuana 101

This is an online marijuana education program. There is a $35.00 fee for this program, paid online with a credit card.

Individual Addiction Education (alcohol, other drugs, gambling, etc.)

An individual exploration through standardized testing and individual sessions with an addictions counselor, to assist the participant in taking an honest look at their use/abuse patterns and make some decisions about future actions. Students may self-refer or are referred through the conduct process.

Referral Service

A process facilitated by an Addictions Counselor to assist the individuals to take a look at their actions and make some decisions about treatment. The student will be referred to the appropriate level of care including outpatient, intensive outpatient, inpatient, and hospitalization treatment programs.

Adult Children of Alcoholics

This is an opportunity for individual counseling for those affected by growing up in an alcoholic family. Students will learn how it has affected or continues to affect their personality and behavior and most importantly, how to overcome the limitations it has caused. 

Governing Boards

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA) is a parent organization to all chartered student groups on campus. It comprises an executive board, class officers, club officers, commuter representative, and a resident hall representative. The primary purpose of SGA is to oversee student groups, to sponsor events that meet the needs of the students, and to address concerns of the student body. The SGA office is located in the Banks Student Life Center. Copies of the Student Government Association charter are on file in the SGA Office, Student Engagement Office, and the Vice President of Student Life Office and on the SGA page on myMU. 

Email address: [email protected]

Adult Education Advisory Committee (AEAC)

To provide an environment that is open to the ideas of Misericordia University’s adult students in both the undergraduate and graduate programs and to serve as a discussion forum for topics and issues relevant to adult learners.

They will look to help affect change in the adult learning environment with the goal of making it even more conductive and/or responsive to the needs of adult students and to help increase the visibility and participation of adult students on the Misericordia University campus and in the community.

Adult Education Advisory Committee Advisor – Lisa Miller

Commuter Council

Commuter students are encouraged to become involved in all aspects of campus life, especially the Commuter Council. This organization was established to connect commuters to the University and provide them a forum where they can bring their opinions and needs. Meetings are held monthly and a reminder is emailed through myMU to all commuters reminding them of the time and location of the meeting.

Health and Wellness Center

The student Health & Wellness Center, located on the lower level of the Anderson Sports/Health Center, is under the direction of a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). The staff also includes a Registered Nurse (RN) and an Administrative Assistant. As reflected in its name, the Center is dedicated to the health and wellness needs of our students here at Misericordia University. Our goal is to provide the best possible evidence-based health care in a manner which is competent, compassionate, confidential and timely, all within an atmosphere of mutual respect and responsibility. The Health & Wellness Center adheres to the principles and standards of ethical conduct endorsed by the American College Health Association: To do no harm, provide services in a caring manner, respect autonomy, protect privacy, maintain competence, promote justice, and respect diversity. Furthermore, the Center strives to be exemplars of the Sisters of Mercy’s charisms of mercy, service, justice and hospitality in every encounter we have with our patients.

The Health & Wellness Center provides our students with an assessment and treatment for common illnesses. Referrals for more serious health issues, health counseling and education, or needing the FNP or the RN to make a visit to a residence hall are all provided at no additional cost to our students. Services such as laceration repair (suturing), and yearly physical exam will incur a small fee for service to cover costs of materials.  Faculty members, staff and visitors are advised to seek care from their primary care providers (PCP). In the event that a student should miss class due to illness, it is their responsibility to contact their professor and advise them of the situation. The Health & Wellness Center can issue a note stating that the student was indeed seen in the Center, but by no means does this qualify as an excuse. Furthermore, if a professor should desire, they may call the Center to confirm that a student was evaluated by the medical professional, but no information about the condition or treatment will be given. Students requiring hospitalization, or those afflicted with an acute or long term illness that requires several days in bed and restriction from class, will be advised by the Center’s Director to return to their homes until classes can be resumed. For the safety of all students, it is required that students diagnosed with a communicable disease (measles, chicken pox, etc.) be sent home. Permission to return to campus must be provided in writing from the student’s primary care provider.

Within the Health & Wellness Center is the Self Care & Resource room. This room is designed as a teaching model in order to encourage and empower our students to be proactive with their health care needs. This room contains a plethora of up-to-date educational materials in addition to basic over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplies – all at no cost to our students. In addition, through a partnership with several local Pharmacies and Pharmedix the Health & Wellness Center keeps on hand a supply of commonly used prescriptions in order to provide convenient, point-of-care service for our students. There is a $10.00 charge for these items. In keeping with our Catholic values, the Health & Wellness Center does not distribute condoms or any other type of birth control.

All full-time students, regardless of their housing status, are required to submit all health forms.  Such forms include, but are not limited to, an annual physical by their primary care provider; verification of immunization including a meningitis booster after their 16th birthday and an annual PPD; as well as proof of health insurance coverage.  The University has chosen to utilize the services of Magnus Health for the collection of these forms.  Students are required to pay a one-time fee of $25.00 which is paid directly to Magnus Health. As this is a web-based system, the student will have continuous access to their medical records as well as the ability to make updates when needed. Students are required to update their medical forms annually including their yearly PPD and insurance information as well as any other changes to health forms.  Information regarding Magnus Health and how to access it will be provided at the one- day orientations which all students are required to attend.  All current students are able to access Magnus by clicking on the Student Life Tab on top of myMU page, then click on Health & Wellness tab to the left, then click on Incoming/Returning Students on the left. Click on the large orange Magnus Health tab.

Hours of operation are: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with the Center being closed daily from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. If medical services are needed after hours students are advised to contact their Resident Assistant (RA) or Campus Safety.

Please contact the Health & Wellness Center at 570-674-6276 should you have any questions.

Residence Life

The Office of Residence Life works to improve the quality of life in all residential facilities and to promote personal development through community living experiences. The office, through its staff of resident hall directors and resident assistants, can address student concerns, ranging from roommate difficulties to the physical condition of a student’s room. The staff also provides residents with a wide range of recreational, educational, and cultural programs to enrich their experience. Administrative functions, such as housing assignments and replacing keys, are also handled by this office.

At Misericordia University, the residential facilities serve two purposes in accommodating a student’s overall university experience: to live and to learn. Living and sharing with others is a vital part of one’s educational experience at Misericordia. Through programming, the Residence Life department provides opportunities for students to build relationships and connections that will last a lifetime. Within the residential facilities, students are challenged to make decisions that not only affect their lives, but those around them as well.

The Office of Residence Life assists the residential students in their academic success and growth as a professional and a person. Residence Life staff members work in unison with the students to create and maintain an environment conducive to academic success and individual growth.

Residential Facilities

Misericordia University manages nine residential facilities: McHale Hall, Alumnae Hall, Gildea Hall, MacDowell Hall, McGowan Hall, Townhouse Complex, two houses on Lake Street and Graduate Housing at the Machell Ave Residence.

• Alumnae Hall – is a traditional co-ed standard double room residence that houses first year and upper class students. This residence is connected to McGowan Hall where students share modern recreational lounges, study areas and a full kitchen facility.
• Gildea Hall – are suites for upper class students, co-ed by unit and holding three, six or seven occupants. All suites contain a full bath and common room area. The facility is air conditioned with elevator access and offers recreational/study lounges and kitchenettes.
• MacDowell Hall- consists of three and five person apartments. The three person apartments have one single bedroom and one double bedroom, while the five person apartments have one single bedroom and two double bedrooms. All apartments are air conditioned, have full kitchens (stove, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher), a furnished living room, and a bathroom. The building has on-site laundry and two lounges.
• McGowan Hall – is a modern double room facility for upper class and first year students with a private full bathroom shared with the bedroom next door. The second and fourth floor lounges are equipped with a full size kitchen and study areas. The third floor lounge contains all the same amenities minus the kitchen.
  • The R.E.A.C.H. (Residents Excelling in Academics, Community, and Health) program is located within McGowan Hall. This community is committed to academic excellence and a substance-free lifestyle.
• ​McHale Hall - is a traditional standard double room residence that houses first year students. It is co-ed by floor/wing and is equipped with air conditioning and elevator access. Fireside Lounge is located on the main floor and serves as a recreational area with a full kitchen facility.
• Townhouse Complex - consists of eighteen individual townhouse units for upper class students. Each is equipped with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a common living room and full kitchen. This residence is co-ed by unit and houses six students.
• Lake Street Houses – the White House @ 120 Lake St & Yellow House at 179 Lake St are facilities on our lower campus for upper class students that offer the full amenities of a typical household with a kitchen and laundry facility.
• Machell Avenue Residence – this Graduate housing facility consists of nine single rooms and four double rooms. The facility is air conditioned and has a full size kitchen, living room, on-site laundry, parking and five bathrooms.

Theme Housing for 1^st Year Students

There is a broad variety of themed communities for incoming first year students to pick from which will give them the opportunity to find something that best fits their interests. ​All first year students are able to rank their choice of theme and are then placed accordingly in either McHale, Alumnae or McGowan Hall.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ON-CAMPUS HOUSING

The University has determined that in the best interests of the students, the institution, and the community, that all traditional entering first-year students whose permanent residence is further than a 40 mile radius of the University are required to live in campus housing for a minimum of 2 academic years (4 academic semesters).

On-campus housing is provided for full-time undergraduate (12 credits or more) students under the age of 25 who have not earned an undergraduate degree. Exceptions may be made on an individual basis depending on the circumstance and the availability of space; however, students 25 years or older may not reside on campus. On a space- available basis, part-time students may be provided housing at the discretion of the Director of Residence Life. Residence Life does offer graduate student housing at the Machell Ave. Residence. Space is limited.

Resident students must provide the Health Center with proof of health insurance, meningitis, TB and MMR vaccinations through Medicat. Failure to provide or maintain this status will result in the loss of housing privileges.

Each residential student must sign the campus housing agreement. This agreement is binding for the entire fall and spring semesters and states that the student will remain in residence for the duration of this agreement. Any release from this agreement is permitted only under the conditions of academic withdrawal or other extreme extenuating circumstances, and only with the approval from the Director of Residence life after review by the University Housing Committee. Any request for release must be submitted in writing to the Director of Residence Life. Request for spring semester release must be submitted by December 1. Percentage of refund of room-and-board fees will be determined by the actual date of departure established by officially checking out and returning all keys to the Residence Life Office.

Graduate Housing

Housing for graduate students is available at the Machell Ave. Residence on a first come, first serve basis until spaces are fully occupied. Space is limited. Students interested in this housing option can complete the graduate housing application which can be found on Misericordia.edu or the Residence Life page on MyMU. Housing at Machell is based on 9 month (Sept-May), 5 month (Jan-May) for returning OT students, and 12 month lease options. No meal plans are required for graduate students living at Machell.

Student Media

All students may serve as staff members of multiple national and state award-winning student media outlets. Students write, shoot, edit, perform on-air, and do studio work for several television shows on the campus television station MCN 87 as well as campus sports live programming. Staff members of The Highlander newspaper publish a full color broadsheet print version biweekly and an online version each week at www.highlandernews.net. Students also contribute the on-air and studio talent for Cougar Radio, which streams worldwide on www.cougarradio.net. Students in Service by Design, an advertising, public relations, and graphic design group, create and implement media plans for non-profit organizations in the community. Students can also show off their artistic talents in the literary magazine Instress, which is published each spring. It contains thought-provoking stories, poetry, essays, art, photography, music, and other creative works of both students and faculty.