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 a six-lane, 25-meter swimming pool, racquetball court, spin room, performance space 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, training and equipment issue rooms, and athletics offices. The facility overlooks a lighted artificial turf stadium with 8-lane track and lighted practice and playing fields, all of which support intercollegiate athletics and recreational programming.
Muhlenberg boasts 22 varsity sports, including eleven for men (football, soccer, cross-country, basketball, wrestling, baseball, indoor and outdoor track, golf, tennis, and lacrosse) and eleven for women (field hockey, soccer, volleyball, cross-country, basketball, 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
www.muhlenberg.edu/offices/healthcenter
Muhlenberg College Counseling Services delivers short-term therapy that is student-centered, multiculturally competent and inclusive, confidential, and of the highest quality.
The primary service model offered is short-term to help you identify and integrate strategies needed to excel in a competitive academic environment. 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, and individual brief therapy (consultation or intake). We also offer referrals for psychiatry services, longer term therapy or specialized treatment with a community provider, and/or collaboration with other campus resources.
Counseling Services are governed by legal and ethical standards of confidentiality. Any and all participation in counseling is strictly confidential. Students wishing information to be released to parents, faculty, administration, etc., must sign a release of information indicating this intent. All services are free for full-time, traditional 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 “consultation request form” that may be found within the student PyraMed health portal. After-hours assistance is also provided via telephone to the same phone number 24/7 and 365 days per year.
Dining Services
www.muhlenberg.edu/dining (also Facebook, Twitter, digital application)
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, 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 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 sandwiches that can only be found at Java Joe.
LSC Café includes two popular brands – Cyclone Salads and Freshens Smoothies. Cyclone Salads features made to order salads with the option to choose from a variety of fresh ingredients. Each Cyclone Salad is tossed fresh right in front of you. Freshens offers a menu that is enriched with antioxidants, fresh fruits, invigorating vitamins, healthy Omegas, and high energy ingredients. Conveniently located adjacent to the gym, it is the perfect compliment to a hard work out!
All dining locations accept dining dollars, cash, credit cards, and Berg bucks.
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 fall 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 within an international brotherhood or sisterhood. Members of the FSL community can 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: Associate Director of Student Engagement for Clubs and Organizations and Fraternity and Sorority Life, Lower Level, Seegers Union, 484-664-3733
Health Services
Health Services offers health care to full-time day students of the College. Services are provided by registered nurses, a nurse practitioner, and physicians. The Health Center also provides information about local medical providers, including specialists, and can assist with scheduling those appointments.
All students must 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, and hepatitis B) Students residing in college-owned housing are required to have at least one dose of the meningococcal A/C/Y/W-135 vaccine administered after the 16th birthday. Students may waive immunization requirements for personal, medical, or religious reasons. The College supports the immunization recommendations of the Pennsylvania Department of Health - Bureau of Communicable Diseases Division. Submission of completed health forms, including proof of immunizations, is required to move-in to college housing.
Students are required to have primary health insurance coverage. Proof of insurance must be submitted to the health center. Students are responsible for any and all charges associated with medical care. The College provides a limited secondary insurance policy (accidents only) for all full-time day students. Please contact Health Services 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.
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. Rooms are designated through a lottery system.
- 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 Disability Services website.
HRL also is 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.
Judicial Affairs
Muhlenberg College seeks to educate creative and responsible individuals equipped for lifelong learning and grounded in ethical and civic values that prepare them for lives of leadership and service. The challenges of leadership and service in the twenty-first century are local, national, and international. Our students must be capable of learning from diverse cultures and synthesizing that learning into worthy aspirations pursued with disciplined intelligence, self-insight, honesty, diligence, courage, empathy, and reciprocity.
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 Social Code, 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 deal with infractions of the Social Code; such infractions may be dealt with through administrative and/or judicial channels. Parents may be notified when a student has gone through the Judicial 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 Social code can be viewed in its entirety by visiting the College’s website.
Religious Life
www.muhlenberg.edu/student-life/religiouslife
The religious life of the Muhlenberg College community represents the diverse faith traditions, backgrounds, and interests of our students. Many students find religious or faith communities at Muhlenberg to be a home away from home and a chance to explore and deepen their spirituality. The chaplain’s office and our dedicated, welcoming religious life team serve the entire College community—students, faculty and staff of any (or no) faith tradition. We offer places to pray and reflect, a variety of religious services and programs, opportunities for interfaith dialogue and more.
The College has a full-time chaplain as pastor to the community and coordinator of the team of campus ministry staff persons representing various faith traditions. Chapel offices are located in Egner Memorial Chapel. The Roman Catholic chaplain’s office is located at the Newman Center, and the Jewish chaplain has an office at the Hillel House.
A variety of student religious fellowship groups are active on campus regularly scheduled and special event programs in the areas of social activities, meals, education, and community service.
• Disciplemakers: This Christian fellowship group helps students grow deeper in their relationship with God and live out their faith.
• Ecumenical Christian: includes chapel services, events, planning meetings, and social gatherings
• Jewish Life: includes Hillel activities and events, Shabbat services, dinners, planning meetings, and social gatherings. Hillel House maintains a kosher kitchen.
• Interfaith connections: Our diverse religious communities work closely to learn from and support one another.
• Muslim Student Association: This organization provides common and prayer spaces for Muslim students and promotes Islamic awareness across campus.
• MultiFaith Reflection Space: A newly redesigned reflection space is available on the main floor level of the Multicultural Life Center. It is a quiet space available for any member of the Muhlenberg Community. For those who observe Salat daily prayers, there are also prayer rugs and access to a foot bath.
• Rejoice!: The Muhlenberg College Gospel Choir is a spirit-filled musical ensemble that reflects the diverse interests and ethnicities within our community.
• Roman Catholic: Check the Neuman Center to learn about the Mass schedule and opportunities for student gatherings, meetings and social events.
Student Activities
The Office of Student Organizations, Leadership, and Engagement 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 Organizations, Leadership, and Engagement 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 major concert, a performance by a well-known comedian, and off campus trips presented each year by the Office of Student Organizations, Leadership, and Engagement 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.
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 full access to programs, services, and activities. Students with disabilities who are the most successful at the post-secondary level are those who are appropriately qualified and prepared for independent academic study, have full knowledge of the impact of their disability, who use the accommodations and services they have been approved to receive, and who demonstrate well-developed self-advocacy skills.
Under the ADA (as amended in 2008), a disability is defined as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, having a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment”. Disability documentation submitted to determine eligibility at the post-secondary level must identify the disability and provide a history of the disorder and evidence of the disorder’s impact on a major life activity.
At the post-secondary level, it is the student’s responsibility to disclose his/her disability and to follow established procedures for requesting services. Muhlenberg College students with documented disorders that rise to the level of a disability who will be requesting accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services are encouraged to identify these needs to the Office of Disability Services, as soon as possible, after their application to the College has been accepted and their decision to attend has been confirmed. Submission of current, detailed documentation of the student’s disability with a completed Disability Disclosure Document is required in order to initiate the process (preferably submitted before the advising period in June). The Office of Disability Services reviews submitted documentation and makes a determination of disability. 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 and may refer the student to other campus departments, as appropriate, for further dialogue and assistance. Accommodations are determined on a case-per-case basis and must be requested by the student each semester.
After the point of disclosure, documentation submission, and determination, it is the student’s responsibility to begin a working relationship with his/her instructors by providing Accommodation Plans from the Office of Disability Services. The student should then meet with each of his/her faculty members to discuss accommodations. Faculty members are a valuable resource to help students navigate course requirements more efficiently.
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