College Life

College years are a great opportunity for student growth and development.  Students learn about themselves and others, including how to relate to individuals and groups with vastly different backgrounds, interests, beliefs, attitudes, and values.  An appreciation and a celebration of these differences is an important outcome of the student’s experience.  In addition, the student must progress toward self-reliance and independence tempered by a concern for social responsibility.

Efforts to establish and promote such growth and development may be direct or indirect.  Counseling and programming serve as clear examples of the direct influences designed to enhance the developmental process while the general social and intellectual atmosphere of a campus, spurred by the role modeling of faculty, staff, and campus student leaders, serve as examples of the indirect influences.  Importantly, individuals must seek opportunities to really learn about themselves and others.

The student affairs staff provides students with the opportunity to face the challenge of growth and development.  This is done in the residence halls, in athletics, in the health and counseling centers, in student activities, and across the campus.

Academic Resource Center (ARC)

www.muhlenberg.edu/arc

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) provides support for students’ academic transition, engagement, integration, growth and achievement through a holistic, community-based approach.

In helping students to successfully navigate the rigors of a competitive academic environment and become lifelong learners, we provide opportunities for students to:

• Strengthen commitment to academic pursuits;
• Improve planning and organization skills;
• Learn to study more efficiently and effectively;
• Cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving;
• Acquire knowledge and skills important to the practice of their discipline.

To these ends, ARC offers transition workshops, individual peer tutoring, weekly study sessions, and academic coaching with a member of the professional staff.

Athletics and Recreation

Physical development is an important part of a liberal arts education.  Muhlenberg has a vibrant athletic program on the intercollegiate, intramural, and recreational levels.  These programs emphasize the lifelong value of sports and fitness/wellness and the thrill of competition.

The Life Sports Center is the hub of athletic and recreational activity.  Facilities include Memorial Hall, home for our basketball and volleyball teams, a six-lane, 25-meter swimming pool, spin room, spaces for strength and conditioning workouts, and wrestling room and features a large, multi-use field house for indoor tennis, track, basketball, and volleyball.  A 47,000 square foot health and fitness center includes state-of-the-art weight training and cardio fitness areas available to all students as well as locker room facilities for varsity athletes, athletic training and equipment issue rooms, and athletics offices.  The facility overlooks a lighted artificial turf stadium with 8-lane track, a softball field and a second artificial turf stadium, all of which support intercollegiate athletics and programming. In addition to the Life Sports Center, Kern Courts includes 6 tennis courts for intercollegiate and recreational programming, and the baseball field is located in the City of Allentown at Bicentennial Park.

Muhlenberg boasts 23 varsity sports, including eleven for men (football, soccer, cross-country, basketball, wrestling, baseball, indoor and outdoor track, golf, tennis, and lacrosse) and twelve for women (field hockey, soccer, volleyball, cross-country, basketball, wrestling, softball, lacrosse, indoor and outdoor track, tennis, and golf).  Men’s, women’s, and co-educational intramural and recreational programming are available throughout the year. Muhlenberg’s varsity teams compete in the Centennial Conference which includes Bryn Mawr, Dickinson, Franklin and Marshall, Gettysburg, Haverford, Johns Hopkins, McDaniel, Swarthmore, Ursinus, and Washington.

Campus Safety and Police

The Department of Campus Safety and Police provides service to the Campus Community twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year.  Campus Safety Officers are sworn police officers through Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas and have arrest powers per Title 22, Act 501.  Officers perform their duties in a courteous, professional, consistent, and fair manner.

Our VISION is to facilitate a safe campus environment by employing and training a diverse staff with the skills, knowledge, and abilities to meet the on-going, ever-changing needs of the Muhlenberg College Community.

Our MISSION is to promote and maintain a safe, inclusive, and welcoming campus environment as we serve and protect the College Community.  We adhere to our core values of Integrity, Accountability, Professionalism, and Service.

We are committed to providing an environment conducive to learning and personal growth, while seeking to protect all who come to the campus.  The Department enforces institutional policies and all federal, state, and local laws, supporting the academic mission. 

The Career Center

www.muhlenberg.edu/careercenter

The Center promotes career development by encouraging students to integrate their academic and co-curricular experiences and inspiring them to:

EXPLORE - increase awareness of interests, skills, and values; gather information and experience to assist with informed decision making; promote curiosity about the world in anticipation of lives of leadership and service.

PREPARE - develop tools, strategies, skills, and knowledge related to goals; improve ability to understand and communicate the value of an aggregate Muhlenberg experience; consider the challenges of college to career transition and plan for lifelong learning to proactively manage a successful career path.

CONNECT - network with and obtain information from professionals, organizations, alumni, and other resources that will help students meet career goals; confidently demonstrate the ability to connect the campus and classroom experiences to the world beyond Muhlenberg.

To support its mission, the Center offers numerous programs and services for students and the entire Muhlenberg Community.

The Career Center targets first-year students for many of its programs since exploration and planning are recommended over a four-year timeline. Students are encouraged to visit the Center as early as possible and meet with a career coach.  In these sessions, students may choose to discuss topics such as selecting a major, determining career goals, or finding a summer internship.

Among the programs offered are those that expose students to alumni and the world beyond college.  One of the most notable programs is our Career Road Trips.  These trips take students to major metropolitan areas for a day of learning and networking at nationally and internationally recognized companies.  Additionally, we frequently host alumni guest speakers during events, such as Alumni Week, which give students the chance to learn about a variety of career fields.  Students may participate in the Muhlenberg Shadow Program which links students with alumni or other professionals for an on-site visit over the winter break, spring break or summer.  The Career Center also holds workshops and special events on topics such as career decision-making, choosing a major, resume writing, developing job search strategies, finding summer internships, networking, LinkedIn, and college-to-career transition. 

Internships are available for students seeking experience related to their career interests.  These are listed in Handshake, the Center’s online database to which all students have an account.  In Handshake, employers from a wide variety of industries post internships and jobs for Muhlenberg students and alumni.  The Career Center takes an active approach to helping students identify potential employers and connect with alumni.  The Career Center manages an online platform called The Muhlenberg Network which has over 2,500 alumni in a variety of fields who are willing to help students in their careers. 

Community Engagement

www.muhlenberg.edu/student-life/community-engagement

With philosophical rooting in concepts of equity and justice, the Office of Community Engagement engages students, employees and local communities through partnerships intended to catalyze personal, institutional, and community change.

There are many ways for students to connect within Allentown communities during their time at the College. Students can work on particular social issues, create relationships with local folks or take courses directly connected to communities. Pathways to engagement range from intensive opportunities (work-study student staff, Civic Fellows, courses, community-engaged research) to weekly programs and all will provide students the chance to learn more about themselves and our broader communities. Students run voter registration drives, plan and execute major campus events, create curricula for weekly programs, research social issues, create relationships and more through the Office of Community Engagement.

Counseling Services

Lehigh Valley Physicians Group (LVPG) Behavioral Health–Muhlenberg College delivers customized clinical counseling that is student-centered, multiculturally competent, inclusive, confidential, and of the highest quality.

Our customized clinical care model will help students identify and integrate strategies needed to excel in a competitive academic environment. Although we do value the importance of strictly supportive therapy models, our expectation for counseling at the college level is that students will engage their sessions with the expectation of doing deeper, clinical work. This might, at times, entail taking notes during the session and practicing specific strategies during the week that will promote healing, emotional growth, capacity for intimacy, or developing skills to manage significant stressors.

We value the diversity each student brings to the counseling experience and recognize that social justice values can play a large role in therapy. Our shared clinical expertise allows us to address a variety of student concerns such as adjustment, roommate issues, performance, depression, anxiety, trauma, relationships, and substance abuse. Services include groups, workshops, individual therapy and referrals to psychiatric services. We also offer referrals for off-campus practitioners, longer term therapy or specialized treatment with a community provider, and/or collaboration with other campus resources.

LVPG Behavioral Health–Muhlenberg College is governed by legal and ethical standards of confidentiality. All participation in counseling is strictly confidential. Students wishing for information to be released to parents, faculty, administration, etc., must sign an Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information form indicating this intent. All LVPG Behavioral Health at Muhlenberg College services are free for full-time, traditional and commuter students.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30-4:30. Students may call 484-664-3178 to schedule an appointment, or complete the online appointment request form found on the Muhlenberg College Counseling Services website. After-hours crisis intervention is also provided 24/7 and 365 days per year by calling our main office number after hours or when our office closes during the college breaks.

Dining Services

www.muhlenberg.edu/dining (@bergdining on Facebook & Instagram)

Food plays an important role in nourishing both students and campus life at Muhlenberg College.  A vibrant dining experience is vital to creating an environment where all members of the campus community are eager to gather around the same table.  Muhlenberg Dining fulfills this need with restaurant quality food made fresh from the best available local ingredients served by friendly and welcoming staff.  Whether you choose to relax in the Wood Dining Commons, grab a latte at Java Joe, sample sushi at the GQ, or recharge with a smoothie at the LSC Café, we can offer a dining option to fit your mood and, most importantly, your lifestyle here at Muhlenberg College.

Muhlenberg Dining Services has made a commitment to sustainable practices that include buying local whenever possible, using eco-friendly cleaning products and packaging, and serving fair-trade coffee at every location.  We support all campus green initiatives and proudly serve as a member of Muhlenberg’s Greening Committee.

Students on a meal plan have access to several different venues on campus:

The Wood Dining Commons, is a renaissance resulting from years of planning and places Muhlenberg at the top of the list for premier dining facilities.

Students at Muhlenberg carry a full plate of academics, activities, and athletics that keeps them busy from morning to evening.  They want to know that there will always be a nutritious meal option available regardless of what time they decide to have lunch or dinner.  This ultimate dining experience will offer a variety of options, including traditional comfort foods, international specialties, allergen-friendly options at Simple Servings station, fresh items hot off the grill, unique salads with the freshest produce, hand tossed pizzas and Italian classics, fresh baked breads for New York style sandwiches, and a fully integrated kosher facility - The Noshery - with separate meat and dairy kitchens!  You will always find vegan and vegetarian options at each of our platforms.

The Mule Express offers a variety of unique options designed for an “on-the-go” lifestyle. Students can choose from several fresh entrees and sides along with a beverage. Students enjoy the weekly menu with favorites they can expect all week.

The General’s Quarters or “the GQ”, provides a food court atmosphere and features several choices, including customizable sandwiches and hoagies, international cuisines, made to order authentic sushi, fresh hot grill creations, and convenient grab and go options prepared fresh.  The GQ is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night with an extensive selection of organic and all natural products.

Java Joe features a full complement of Starbucks coffee, including hot and cold espresso drinks and organic options.  In addition, it offers fresh bakery items made right here on campus as well as a variety of unique food offerings that can only be found at Java Joe.

LSC Café includes two new brands – natural! Smoothies and Handcrafted Sandwiches.  Handcrafted offers a rotation of artisan sandwiches that are exclusive to the LSC Café. Guests will have the option to take it on the go or to have their sandwich hot pressed. Our new smoothie offerings from natural! are made with a fresh juice base and full of natural antioxidants and vitamins. You can also make it a protein shake. Perfect for any student who may be an athlete, dancer or just looking to stay fit, these smoothies are packed with protein and natural vitamins.

Environmental Literacy

Muhlenberg College is a member of the association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF), an international organization of signatories to the Talloires Declaration that is committed to higher education leadership for the advancement of global environmental literacy. Carrying out the principles of action in education to promote environmental stewardship, Muhlenberg College strives to unite management, faculty, staff, and students in a collaborative effort to create a sustainable institution.  As a member of this global movement, Muhlenberg College fosters sustainable development through environmental literacy by integrating ecosystem and human health principles and concepts and environmental responsibility across its curricula, research, operations, and partnerships.

Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL)

Fraternity and Sorority life at Muhlenberg College consists of eight nationally or internationally affiliated Greek-letter social organizations.  Each chapter traditionally holds membership recruitment and education programs in the spring of each year.  Students interested in becoming members must meet or exceed certain standards, both behaviorally and academically.

Being a member of a fraternity or sorority provides a host of benefits, including the opportunity to develop and refine leadership skills, participate in local community service and national philanthropic projects, and form lifelong friendships.  Members of the FSL community boast of involvement in practically every facet of campus life and support many campus initiatives.  Chapters strive to provide members with growth-oriented opportunities and experiences that are consistent with the mission of the College.  Contact: Director of Student Life, Lower Level, Seegers Union, 484-664-4336

Health Services

Muhlenberg College requires that all students submit medical information, including a physical examination and tuberculosis screening, prior to matriculation.  In addition, students must submit proof of up-to-date immunizations (MMR, Polio, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Meningococcal Quadrivalent).  Students may request an exemption to immunization requirements for medical or religious reasons.  Submission of completed health forms, including proof of immunizations, is required to move-in to college housing.

LVPG Family Medicine–Muhlenberg College offers health care to full-time day students of the College.   For questions about clinical services, please contact the office.

Students are required to have primary health insurance coverage.  Students must either enroll in or waive the student health insurance plan each academic year. Students are responsible for any and all charges associated with medical care, including those received at LVPG Family – Medicine Muhlenberg College.  The College provides a limited excess insurance plan (accidents only) for all full-time day students.  Please contact the Health Services department for further information.

Housing and Residence Life

Residential living is the heart of our Muhlenberg community. Housing and Residence Life, along with our student leaders, provide daily support within our secure, inclusive, and well-maintained residence hall buildings. We are committed to providing environments that allow for student collaboration and academic success. Within our community of care, through intentional programming, and support for well-being, we foster student growth, civic engagement, and lifelong learning.

Muhlenberg College offers a variety of living options with different levels of independence, but in every style of housing, the student staff provides a supportive presence. Our Resident Advisors live within the residence halls to welcome new students home to Muhlenberg, and to assist returning students as they progress through their college journey. HRL is also charged with orchestrating the Residential Curriculum on campus, which means that both Resident Advisors and professional staff offer a variety of programs that are linked to intentional learning outcomes. These events serve to build community, educate within the residence halls, and contribute to the unique and supportive atmosphere.

Muhlenberg College is a residential campus and all students have a four-year residency requirement to live on campus.

The housing process works as follows for the respective class years:

• First year students:
  • Roommates, building, and room locations are assigned based on information provided by the student through the Online Housing Application for Incoming Students form (due July 1). Room assignments are designated by the office with consideration of student preferences.
  • Brown, Prosser, and Walz Halls house first year students. Please note that Brown Hall houses women, and both first year and upperclass students live here.
  • First year students can request gender inclusive housing through one of the following options:
    • Request a roommate of another gender identity, but request to live on a gender binary designated floor in Prosser or Walz Halls
    • Request a roommate of the same gender identity, but request to live in the gender inclusive community in Walz Hall which also has a gender inclusive bathroom
    • Request a roommate of any gender identity and request to live in the gender inclusive community in Walz Hall which also has a gender inclusive bathroom
• Upperclass students:
  • Upperclass students may participate in several housing processes:
    • Fraternity and Sorority Life Housing
    • Group Interest Housing
    • MILE Lottery
    • General Housing Lottery 
  • Housing for upperclass students consist of:
    • Traditional residence halls: East Hall, Martin Luther (ML) Hall, Taylor Hall, Brown Hall (which houses all 4 class years)
    • Suites: Benfer Hall, Robertson Hall, South Hall
    • MILE Area (consists of apartments/houses): 2201 Chew Street apartment complexes, the Village apartments, and MILE houses and apartments
    • All housing is all gender inclusive by room with some having gender designated floors.
    • Junior and senior students wishing to live off campus must apply AND be approved according to the Off Campus Policy and Off Campus application process. 
    • Students that want to commute must meet the requirements of the Commuter Policy. Both the Off Campus Policy and the Commuter Policy can be viewed in their entirety by visiting the College’s website.

Students participating in any housing process with a diagnosed medical condition which may significantly impact residential living may submit a Special Housing Request through the Office of Disability Services. Students must submit their application and complete their personal interview by the deadline for their requested process. More information can be found on the Office of Disability Services website.

Religious & Spiritual Life

www.muhlenberg.edu/student-life/religiouslife

Journeying alongside students in their exploration of self and community: This is at the heart of the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life (RSL). Recognizing the inherent value and belovedness of each student, RSL approaches religious and spiritual curiosity and engagement by empowering students in their individual growth and identity formation while inviting further exploration into how we, as a diverse community, must also learn from and relate to one another for mutual flourishing in a pluralistic democracy.

Our dedicated staff work together alongside associated professionals to serve our campus community by relating to specific traditions as well as offering educational and relational programming for the entire campus community.

Pastoral care is foundational to our work in Religious and Spiritual Life. Our team is present to connect one-on-one to offer pastoral care and support to students, faculty, and staff. In addition to our counseling center, our College Chaplain and our Director of Hillel at the Leffell Center for Jewish Student Life are both designated confidential resources as well as our assigned Roman Catholic sacramental minister.

The Religious Life Association Student Leaders Council is a budget-allocated umbrella organization funded by the Student Government Association and supported by the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life staff.

Four active and intimate Christian student organizations exist on campus: Abide, Catholic Campus Ministry, Chapel, and DiscipleMakers Christian Fellowship. Each of these communities gather for worship, Bible study, fellowship, and service throughout the academic year, offering students a chance to explore or deepen their Christian faith both personally and in community with others. Some students find great meaning interacting with multiple groups throughout their time on campus.

Two Jewish student organizations offer programming for students to gather for learning, observances, cultural celebrations, service, and community. Hillel–whose mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world–is housed within the Leffell Center for Jewish Student Life on campus. Muhlenberg’s Chabad Club partners with a campus-adjacent Chabad house to program on and off campus. Many students find great value learning and interacting within both communities during their time at the College.

The Muslim Student Association seeks to provide a voice and platform for Muslim students on campus while providing an environment for Muslim and non-Muslim students to bond and engage. The MSA aims to further educate the Muhlenberg College community about the Islamic faith, as well as its faith belief system, set of values, customs and rituals.

Interfaith collaboration is paramount to Religious & Spiritual Life’s mission and vision. Recognizing the great diversity of religious and cultural affinity organizations on the Muhlenberg College campus, Bridges Interfaith brings these communities together over a shared interest in interfaith work and learning about one another. Bridges is dedicated towards hosting spaces for students to learn about various religious, spiritual, or secular practices in an environment that promotes dialogue and the sharing of personal experiences in order to foster meaningful relationships.

Students who practice a tradition that is not represented among these eight groups and want to explore either how to connect with practitioners in our local community, create a student organization, or develop independent programming to share about their tradition with others on campus should reach out to chaplain@muhlenberg.edu to begin a conversation with our Religious & Spiritual Life staff.

There are just as many if not more members of our community who do not find their religious or spiritual home in one of the organized groups on campus yet many are still asking deep questions about meaning and purpose in life. RSL offers individual reflection and small group programs such as mindfulness practices and trainings in dialogue across difference to the wider community to help students bring their full identity to the table (be it religious, spiritual, or secular) to discern their values and pathway in life and interact with peers doing the same. Additionally, our interfaith programming is designed for students of all or no religious or spiritual identity to learn about and from one another, sharing appreciative knowledge, growing in positive attitude toward one another, and building relationships across both similarity and difference.

The Office of Religious & Spiritual Life is located in Fahy Commons. Events and activities of the RLA take place throughout campus, especially at Egner Memorial Chapel, the Leffell Center for Jewish Student Life (where Hillel is housed), the Newman Center (Catholic Campus Ministry), the Multicultural Life House, the Serenity Garden, and the Interfaith Prayer Space in Seegers Union.

Student Activities

The Office of Student Life and Campus Events plans, supports, and promotes diverse cultural, educational, social, and recreational programs which enhance the quality of campus life and community spirit.  The student activities program at Muhlenberg is student initiated and supports a broad array of experiences (concerts, dances, speakers, comedians, musicians, etc.).  The Muhlenberg Activities Council (MAC) is the student organization which works closely with the Office of Student Life and Campus Events and recommends activities in areas affecting Muhlenberg student life.  In addition to working with MAC, this office assists recognized student clubs and organizations in providing special interest programming for Muhlenberg students and provides guidance to groups of students wishing to create new clubs and organizations.

Highlighting the activities calendar at Muhlenberg are a Big Prize BINGO, a performance by a well-known comedian, and off campus trips presented each year by the Office of Student Life and Campus Events and MAC.  Student performers are also provided opportunities to showcase their talents as part of our regular weekend activities.  Students frequently perform at various venues on campus as well as during specially designated Talent Shows and theme weekends.  Numerous a capella groups, theater and dance groups, acoustic musicians, comedians, and student bands take advantage of these opportunities.

Student Conduct

The Office of Student Conduct is committed to fostering a culture focused on education, enforcement, and encouragement. At the core of the office’s approach, through proactive education, impartial investigation, and consistent enforcement of policies and procedures, they strive to support the overall well-being and success of Muhlenberg students. Their goal is to facilitate an environment that encourages personal and social responsibility, and cultivates the development of responsible citizens. The office strives to ensure that all students who meet with conduct hearing officers feel heard, respected, and supported throughout the conduct process. They believe that by promoting a culture of care and support, they can help our students grow and thrive during their time at Muhlenberg, and prepare them for success beyond graduation.

Muhlenberg College students are members of a community of responsibility.  They have a duty to foster and preserve a collegiate environment that encourages the maximum development of themselves, their fellow students, and the larger society.  They adhere to the highest standards of good citizenship.  They conduct themselves with honesty, integrity, and due regard for the rights and property of others.

The Muhlenberg College Student Code of Conduct, along with the laws of the city of Allentown, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States, guide actions and are expected to be followed.  Students are held accountable for their actions and Muhlenberg College reserves the right to adjudicate violations of the Student Code of Conduct.  Parents/Guardians may be notified when a student has gone through the conduct process and is found in violation of the Alcohol Policy or other offenses.  This notification will be done at the discretion of the Dean of Students and in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

The most current and updated version of the Student Code of Conduct can be viewed in its entirety by visiting the College’s website.

Students with Disabilities

www.muhlenberg.edu/main/aboutus/disabilities

Muhlenberg College is committed to ensuring that all qualified students with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services to ensure equal access to programs and activities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADAAA 2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Federal law defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. It is the student’s responsibility to disclose a disability and to follow the established procedures and documentation guidelines outlined on the Office of Disability Services website. 

It is recommended the student begin the disclosure process after their application to the College has been accepted and their decision to attend has been confirmed.  Disability documentation submitted to determine eligibility at the post-secondary level must identify the disability, the severity of the condition, symptoms, treatment and impact in an educational setting. 

The Office of Disability Services staff reviews submitted documentation, completes an interview with the student and makes a determination of eligibility.  Once this determination has been made, the Office of Disability Services will discuss the formulation of reasonable, appropriate accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services with the student.  It is highly recommended that the student meet with each of the faculty members to discuss the accommodations as it relates to each course requirement. Accommodations are determined on a case-per-case basis and must be requested by the student each semester.