Mont Alto

2018-19LIVING ON CAMPUS

• Only 20 minutes from Interstate 81

• One hour from Harrisburg

• Two hours from Washington, DC

• Two hours from Penn State University Park

Where to find us:Penn State Mont Alto

Housing and Food Services106 Campus Drive

Mont Alto, PA 17237-9703

As an on-campus resident,

you can easily take advantage of nearby recreational areas, including athletic fields and basketball, tennis, and

sand volleyball courts. We are proud to offer eleven varsity sports teams, and seven intramural programs for team

and individual sports, as well as three club sports. The campus also boasts clubs and organizations such as the

Student Government Association (SGA), Thon, and the Forestry Club. Plus, the campus often features dances,

movies, and guest speakers. There are also numerous employment opportunities available on campus. Imagine—

all this, right in your on-campus neighborhood.

Living on campus at Penn State Mont

Alto makes you part of a close-knit

community where you can form life-long

friendships with fellow students, faculty,

and staff. You’ll also enjoy the benefits

of being just steps away from classes,

recreational areas, dining services, and

on-campus parking.

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Room Amenities

• Expanded cable television service

• High-speed internet connections and WiFi

• Secure keyless entry

• Microwave/refrigerator unit

• Free parking

Living EnvironmentThe Housing, Food Services, and Residence

Life staff is committed to providing you with an

environment that is safe, secure, comfortable, and

conducive to academic success. We understand the

college experience should foster personal and social

development as well. With that in mind, we promote

a concept of community in which each student is

responsible for respecting their neighbors’ rights.

Within this framework, the student’s right to choose

his or her own lifestyle is supported.

Penn State Mont Alto provides three on-campus

residence halls for students. Mont Alto Hall houses

two students per room and has one common bathroom

on each wing. Penn Gate I and II offer suite style

living that accommodates four students per suite with

a shared bathroom.

“You’ll grow as a person.”

For Ciara Ross, living on campus at Penn State Mont

Alto provided her the complete college experience. “I

have had so many experiences I wouldn’t have had if

I didn’t live on campus,” says Ciara. “You’ll grow as a

person.”

Ciara, who participates in THON and is a Lion

Ambassador, loves meeting new friends and spending

time with them outside of class. “We’ll go to Buffalo

Wild Wings for dinner, go bowling, or even on a

hike,” she says. “Being able to do a lot activities on

and off campus is really cool.”

Ciara is looking forward to becoming a Resident

Assistant (RA), something she pursued thanks to

having an outstanding RA during her first year. “My

RA helped me out a lot,” says Ciara. “I had so many

questions and he answered all of them with a smile. I

want to be that for someone else.”

Assistance for Individuals with DisabilitiesHousing accommodations are available if you require

special assistance. Contact the Housing and Foods Service

office at 717-749-6081 to discuss the available options.

Residence Hall Safety & SecurityEvery residence area has live-in professional

staff responsible for ensuring a safe, secure, and

comfortable living environment. University Police

officers are also available to address specific safety

concerns. All residence area buildings are locked

24 hours a day and residents use their Penn State

id+ Cards to enter. Room doors are equipped with an

ID card reader and keypad. Closed-circuit cameras

monitor the building entrances.

Our residence halls are routinely inspected and

comply with safety regulations. The buildings

are equipped with a modern fire safety system,

including sprinklers. Penn State prohibits smoking

in classrooms, administrative buildings, eating

establishments, sports facilities, and residence areas.

Special Living OptionsThe Discover House is a Special Living Option

created for first-year students who are investigating

majors. In Discover House students can explore

their interests and – with the help of the Division of

Undergraduate Studies (DUS) and Residence Life –

find the best academic and career option for them.

“I can wake up later…”

Living on campus at Penn State Mont Alto was an easy

decision for Aaron McFarland. He knew he would

benefit not only academically, but socially too. “Home

is about 45 minutes away,” Aaron says. “I can wake

up later and not worry about driving in bad weather or

missing class.”

Aaron, an IST major, also finds he has more time

in his day for other things since he doesn’t have to

commute. “It only takes five minutes to walk anywhere

on campus,” Aaron says. “It’s easier to get extra help

outside of class, work on homework with your friends,

and meet new people.”

Campus Meal PlanThe Housing Contract features the convenience of the

Campus Meal Plan. Dining dollars are deposited into

a declining balance account and are accessed by the

Penn State id+ Card. Simply present your id+ card to

the cashier and the purchase amount will be deducted

from the account.

The meal plan has two components— base cost and

dining dollars. The base cost covers all non-food costs

for operating food services, such as labor, supplies,

maintenance, and utilities. Dining dollars are used to

make purchases at on-campus food service facilities.

All menu items have a cash price that includes both

the food costs and the base cost of operation. Since

meal plan members pay this base cost up front, on

campus dining purchases are significantly discounted

with each visit. Meal plan members receive 65

percent off the cash price of prepared food purchases.

For certain items, such as prepackaged vendor items,

no discount is given.

Level Options

The meal plan offers three level options, with varying

dining dollar amounts available to purchase meals.

Meal plan levels can be adjusted until seven days

before the end of the semester by visiting

eLiving.psu.edu, or funds can be added online by

visiting idcard.psu.edu or with cash/check/MasterCard/

Visa at the cashier station in any Penn State Food

Service operation.

Benefits of the Campus Meal Plan

• Access to the account at any dining facility operated

by Penn State Housing and Food Services

• Easy, cash-free spending with the id+ Card

• 65 percent discount for members

Food for ThoughtThe Mill Café, a full-scale food court, is located just

a few steps from your residence area. The Mill offers

an extensive menu, including grilled specialties,

fresh pasta, soups and sandwiches, hearty entrées,

pizza, daily specials, and convenient grab ‘n go items.

All menu items are prepared by our food service

professionals and are available for breakfast, lunch,

dinner, and late evening snacks.

“Being close to everything is nice.”

For Eric Pino, living on campus at Penn State Mont

Alto has given him everything he needs to have a

great college experience. “It’s a great way to get to

know everyone,” Eric says. “You have easy access to

the library, computer labs and study areas, and it’s

just a short walk to Millstream Café.”

Eric credits living on campus in helping him learn to

be on his own. “I am getting to make my own decisions

and plan my own schedule,” he says. “It’s definitely

a responsibility, but if you want to get that feeling of

living on your own, then living on campus is great.”

Living on campus also lets Eric be actively involved

in student life. He is a Lion Ambassador, participates

in THON, plays for the soccer team, and was Varsity

Club president. “Some of my favorite memories

involve events I have taken part in outside of class,”

says Eric. “Being close to everything is nice.”

Here’s how it works:

• Two levels to choose from

• Charge it to your Bursar Account

• 10 percent discount on Food Services prepared items at on-campus locations

• Accessed conveniently with your Penn State id+ Card

• Available for the fall and spring semesters

Penn State Commuter Meal PlanThe Commuter Meal Plan is designed specifically for students who live

off campus. All the delicious food and healthy choices your residence hall

friends enjoy can be yours too.

Getting the PlanThe Commuter Meal Plan can be

purchased at eLiving.psu.edu and

charged directly to your Bursar

Account.

Missed a Due Date?LionCash+ shares the same benefits

as the Commuter Meal Plan. It can

be used for both on- and off-campus

purchases. Visit idcard.psu.edu/

lioncash for more information.

LionCash+LionCash+ is an online, prepaid flexible spending

account accessed with the Penn State id+ Card.

Just deposit money into your account and enjoy

the convenience of making cash-free purchases

at participating locations. LionCash+ is also the

method used to pay for on-campus laundry. Funds

can be added at any time, and family and friends

can make deposits at idcard.psu.edu.

LionCash+ also complements the Campus Meal Plan.

If you run out of dining dollars, on-campus dining

registers will automatically default to your LionCash+

account. If there are enough to cover the purchase,

funds will be withdrawn from the LionCash+ account

and processed at the meal plan rate. LionCash+ is

accepted on campus at the Penn State Bookstore

and The Mill Café, as well as at other Penn State

campuses and select off-campus merchants. To learn

more and view the complete list of participating

merchants, visit idcard.psu.edu.

Special DeliveryA perfect surprise for any occasion, Housing and

Food Services offer the Special Delivery program,

allowing parents and family members to purchase

treats such as decorated cakes, fruit baskets, pizza,

and more for their special Penn State student.

Available online at hfs.psu.edu/special-delivery.

The Housing ProcessFirst-year students accept their offer of admission

by logging on to MyPennState using their Friends of

Penn State (FPS) account. You’ll be able to see if on-

campus housing is available at that time. If housing

is available, you must accept the offer of admission

and pay a $230 non-refundable general deposit

fee as well as a $100 non-refundable housing

reservation fee, for a total of $330. Then you must

agree to the Terms, Conditions, and Regulations

of the Housing and Food Services Contract. After

completing those steps, you’ll have successfully

accepted your offer of admission and the Housing

Contract. A confirmation email will be sent to the

address on file.

The Campus Meal Plan will automatically be

defaulted to level two; to modify the meal plan level

or add housing preferences (building, roommate,

etc.), log on to eLiving using your FPS account. You

can change your preferences until May 1.

Please note, housing fills quickly — even though

you have until May 15 to accept the offer of

admission, housing can be full by late winter.

Unfortunately, we’re not able to accommodate all

students who want to live on campus.

If housing is full when you accept your offer of

admission, you have other options. These may

include adding your name to the Waitlist (although

adding your name does not guarantee an offer will

be made), seeking off-campus housing, or changing

to another Penn State campus that still has housing

available.

“Living on campus has given me a sense of community.”

For Jackie Costa, living on campus at Penn State

Mont Alto makes getting involved in extra-curricular

activities easy. “The best thing is being involved with

THON,” says Jackie. “I think living on campus has

given me opportunities to really get involved and

meet new people. I definitely hear from commuters

that they wish they could get more involved.”

Jackie is a Lion Ambassador, a THON captain, and

holds a senate position with the Student Government

Association (SGA). “Living on campus allows me

greater accessibility to get involved,” says Jackie.

“For me, it’s easy to leave my dorm and be at a

meeting in five minutes.”

Jackie also enjoys the social benefits of being an

on-campus resident. “Living on campus has given

me a sense of community,” says Jackie. “I remember

on my second night here, we already had a group of

girls hanging out in my room and having fun. I feel

like I was given that opportunity because I lived in

residence halls.”

Penn State Housing and Food Services is a caring organization, providing quality food, housing, and customer service while supporting the University’s mission.

This publication is available in alternative media on request.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have

equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state and federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct all inquiries regarding the discrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901; Tel 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/TTY. U.Ed.AUX 17-107

Admissions & Student Aid 717-749-6130 or

toll-free 800-392-6173

admissions.psu.edu

psuMA@psu.edu

Academic Advising

717-749-6056

Bursar

717-749-6180

Registrar

717-749-6067

Student Aid

717-749-6133

eLiving

eLiving.psu.edu

LionPATH

lionpath.psu.edu

Friends of Penn State

(access account information)

fps.psu.edu

helpdesk@psu.edu

Housing and Food Services

Penn State Mont Alto

106 Campus Drive

Mont Alto PA 17237-9703

717-749-6080 – Food Services

717-749-6081 – Housing

housingMA@psu.edu

foodserviceMA@psu.edu

montaltocampusliving.psu.edu

facebook.com/psmahfs

Penn State Mont Alto

montalto.psu.edu

Contact Information

100%Penn State Living