New Student FAQS

• What is the best way to have cash?
• What are visitation hours? Are they 24 hours?
• How does the meal plan work?
• How can I use my Purple Plus card?
• What is the social life like at Mount Union?
• How often do students go home?
• Do I need a car?
• What classes do I need to take for my major?
• Is classroom attendance really important?
• Do I have to study?
• How much do I have to study?
• What is different from high school?
• What is the alcohol policy?
• When will I find out about my roommate?
• What if I don't like my roommate?
• What type of computer should I buy?
• How do I connect my computer to the network?
• What are the math placement and foreign language proficiency tests like?
• When can you apply to be a Community Educator, Program Administrator or Preview and Orientation Guide?
• How do I register for classes?

• What is the best way to have cash?

  • There are several banks in Alliance at which you may set up an account. The banks that are closest to campus include Huntington, Chase, and Key Bank.
  • There is a Huntington Bank ATM available on campus in the Hoover-Price Campus Center.
  • Checks up to $50 made out to the student may be cashed in the Business Office, second floor Beeghly Hall.

   

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• What are visitation hours? Are they 24 hours?

  • Visitation hours are the times when you may have people of the opposite sex in your residence hall room.
  • Yes. Students may (with the mutual consent of their roommate) entertain guests of the opposite gender in their rooms Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and will have extended visitation hours on the weekends, with 24 hour visitation starting at 11 a.m. Friday until 11 p.m. Sunday.  Students must also escort their guests at all times.
  • All visitors of the opposite sex must be escorted by you to and from your room.
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• How does the meal plan work?
  First-time Mount Union Students will automatically have the unlimited meal plan.
  Returning Mount Union students have their choice between 3 different plans.
  Please note: All plans cost the same per semester.

  • Unlimited meal plan- Unlimited access to the Dining Hall during all hours of operation. Breakfast can be substituted for a beverage and baked good at the KHIC Coffee Bar.
  • 14 Meal Plan - (includes $50.00 in Dining Dollars)  14 meals each week in the Dining Hall or Coffee Bar with $50 to be spent in Campus Grounds.
  • 10 Meal Plan - (includes $100.00 in Dining Dollars) 10 meals each week in the Dining Hall or Coffee Bar and $100 to be used in Campus Grounds.
  • 50 Meal Block - Fifty meals to be used each semester in the Dining Hall or the Coffee Bar.
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• How can I use my Purple Plus card?
  Your trusty Purple Plu$ card is more than just your student I.D.

  •  It serves as your swipe key to gain entry into your residence hall (all residence halls are locked 24 hours).
  • Your Purple Plu$ card will also be swiped at the door as you enter the dining hall for meals.
  • Money may be added to your account electronically so you are able use your Purple Plu$ card as a debit card on campus in places like the B & B Café and the University Store, as well as at area restaurants and vendors.
  • The Purple Plu$ card is also your library card used to check out books during your many, many, many trips to the Mount Union Library.
  • Please keep in mind if you lose or break your Purple Plu$ card, there is a cost involved to replace it (each time).
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• What is the social life like at Mount Union?
  There are TONS of things to do on campus! But the trick is to get involved and be present!

  • Raider Programming Board and Mount Union After Hours plan and organize social events regularly both on and off of the campus.
  • If Fraternity and Sorority Life is for you, we have four national fraternities, three national sororities and one local sorority (first year students can go through the recruitment process as early as October during their first year on campus). Some weekends during the year, the fraternities will take turns hosting social events (by invitation only – see a brother for an invitation; hired security is always present and I.D. checks are required).
  • There are about 80 different campus organizations with which you can become involved. Continue with an activity you've done in high school, or be brave & try something new!
  • For new students we offer Emerging Leaders, a peer-led leadership program designed only and specifically for those in their first year.
  • On the weekends, you'll find Mount Union students attending sporting events on campus, attending concerts and theater productions.
  • Carnation Mall is easily accessible to our students, as well as several restaurants (Taco Bell and Sheetz are favorites among our students). Alliance also boasts the Glamorgan Castle and the Mabel Hartzell museum and even has its own symphony orchestra!
  • If a trek off campus sounds good to you, Canton is just a short 25-minute drive away. Attractions include the Professional Football Hall of Fame and lots of shopping and restaurants. If the arts tickle your fancy, the Canton Player's Guild, Canton Ballet, and the Canton Symphony Orchestra put on regular performances throughout the year.
  • You'll have lots of fun just hanging out with your new friends and making memories!
  • Remember...the sooner you get involved, the better.
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• How often do students go home?
  Never, Sometimes, Often. We have students who fit into all three of those categories. However, the more involved the student is in extracurricular activities, the more likely he or she is to stick around! Being involved in campus organizations is very much a part of the culture here at the University of Mount Union.  It's hard to find a Mount Union student who just takes classes; they can't resist the many opportunities for campus involvement! In general, students are most likely to make a trek home over long weekends and fall break. Keep in mind that most of our students' hometowns are within a 100-mile radius or less of Mount Union, so quick trips home here and there are common. But they usually return in plenty of time for whatever is going on that night on campus.

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• Do I need a car?
  No. Mount Union's campus is set up for your convenience, so that our students without cars are able to get what they need. If you don't have a car, do not fear! Since Mount Union allows freshman to bring a car to campus. And if you don't have a car, it is likely that you will befriend someone who will be able to take you on those late-night trips to the Wal-Mart Supercenter.

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• What classes do I need to take for my major?
  There are two things you need to figure this out...Mount Union Course Catalogue & your advisor.
  The catalogue for your entering year is similar to a "contract", laying out exactly what courses you need to take to complete your major, minor, and general education requirements. Even if requirements change during your time as a student at Mount Union, you are still held to the requirements indicated in the catalogue of your entering year.
  Your advisor is there to help you lay out your schedule. Some students rely heavily on their advisor, others feel confident enough to just follow along in the catalogue and develop their own schedule. Remember...it’s up to you to make appointments with your advisor if you feel that you need to speak with him or her.

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• Is classroom attendance really important?
  Yes! we know the temptation is there, but don't be fooled, attendance IS important. Here is why...

  • Some professors DO take attendance and figure it into your grade.
  • Our classes are small (15 students per class is average) so even if the professor isn't taking attendance, it will still be obvious that you are not there.
  • Your grades WILL suffer.
  •  When you graduate from Mount Union and are looking for a job or applying to graduate school, you will need to get good references from your professors. Professors remember those who take the time to attend and learn in their classes, so be that student!

   

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• Do I have to study?
  Yes. You will not last long in college if you don't.

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• How much do I have to study?
  A good rule of thumb to follow is to study two hours outside of class, for every one hour in class. Regular daily studying will prevent you from having horrible late-night cramming sessions before exams. Definitely have a plan for your studying. Don't just wait until the mood strikes you. There can be millions of diversions that range from video games to Facebook® and from trips to Sheetz to watching episodes of Jersey Shore that can get you off track and get you out of the "mood" to study.

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• What is different from high school?
  You will have more freedom, but with that, you will have more responsibility.
  For example...

  • No one is there to make sure you study or get enough sleep.
  • Your professors expect you to take initiative and learn on your own.
  • You will learn to think critically about topics covered in class and about life!
  • You have lots of new people to meet and many new opportunities.
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• What is the alcohol policy?
  You may have alcohol in your residence hall room, if and only if you and your roommate are at least 21 years of age. You may not have alcohol in your room if there are individuals under 21 years of age present under any circumstances. If you are in violation of the alcohol policy, you are subject to face Mount Union's judicial board, which includes members of the resident life staff and the Dean of Students. You can find the entire alcohol policy online in the Student Handbook.

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• When will I find out about my roommate?
  You will receive a letter from the Office of Residence Life by the first week of August indicating who your roommate is and his or her contact information. You are strongly encouraged to contact your new roommate sometime before arriving on campus to introduce yourself. This also gives you an opportunity to figure out who's bringing what in terms of appliances, stereos, etc...

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• What if I don't like my roommate?
  During the first two weeks of the semester there is a room freeze and students cannot switch rooms. Begin by speaking to your Community Educator and they can help you work through issues and then, after the two weeks, if issues still exist and you want to change rooms they can help you initiate a room change process. This room change process will eventually require completing a Room Change Request Form and speaking to Sara Sherer, associate director of residence life. This process is dependent on space availability.

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• What type of computer should I buy?
  This depends on your major. Your best course of action is to contact the IT (Information Technology) (on campus telephone extension is x4357, or “HELP”) and your academic department to ask them before purchasing your computer.

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• How do I connect my computer to the network?

  Contact the IT (Information Technology) Help Desk (on campus telephone extension is x4357, or “HELP”) and they will make arrangements with Connecting Point to have your computer connected to the network.

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• What are the math placement and foreign language proficiency tests like?
  Foreign Language Proficiency: Students can take a test in any one of the following languages: French, German, Spanish, or Japanese. The test consists of 50 questions covering reading comprehension and grammar. Passing the test satisfies the foreign language general education requirement. Students who pass the test are strongly encouraged to continue their language study or begin a new language.
  
  Math Placement Test: The math placement test consists of questions covering a variety of math concepts. This test is taken There is no "passing" score; rather your score will help determine your placement into an appropriate math class. This test is taken on a computer. Calculators are not permitted.

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• When can you apply to be a Community Educator, Program Administrator or Preview and Orientation Guide?
  The application process for Community Educators and Program Administrators begins early in the spring semester. Recruitment information and applications will be available in late December or early January. You can obtain more information by contacting the Office of Residence Life at (330) 823-2243.
  
  The application process for Preview and Orientation Guides begins during the middle of the fall semester. Recruitment information and applications will be available in early October. You can obtain more information by contacting the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership at (330) 823-7288.

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• How do I register for classes?
  First-year students will register for classes during Preview using Self-Service. Self-Service is that tool that you will use to see when classes are offered, check your final grades, view your account balance and schedule for classes.
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