Overview — On-campus US Students

1.  Consciousness-Based Education
Consciousness-Based education was developed by the University’s founder, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, so that students not only gain professional skills and knowledge in different fields of life, but also develop themselves from within to unfold their full potential.
Self-exploration is at the heart of an MIU education. By directly experiencing your innermost nature through the Transcendental Meditation technique, you can easily connect each discipline to your own life, and see the underlying unity of all knowledge.In every course at MIU, in addition to learning the knowledge of the subject, you will explore the connection of that knowledge with consciousness–your innermost Self.
More about Consciousness-Based Education:
https://www.miu.edu/about-miu/consciousness-based-education/

2.  Transcendental Meditation
Transcendental Meditation™ is a simple, natural, effortless procedure to develop students’ full creative
potential from within and to improve overall quality of life. Extensive published research has found that
regular TM practice reduces stress, promotes integrated brain functioning, increases creativity and
intelligence, and enhances learning ability and academic performance.
For these reasons, all students are required to practice the TM technique each day for about 20 minutes
in the morning and afternoon. In the morning, students practice the technique in groups in their dorms
or on their own. The afternoon meditation takes place in the classroom at the end of the class period. In
addition, there is a 15-minute group meditation in class just before lunch.
You’ll also learn two simple and effective methods for creating and maintaining a balanced state of
health and gaining maximum benefit from your TM practice:

• simple yoga postures (called Maharishi Yoga Asanas) for flexibility and mind-body integration
• a simple breathing exercise (called pranayama) for enlivening your mind and body

For more information on the Transcendental Meditation technique:
www.tm.org

3.  One course per month—the Block System
At MIU you take one course per month—you’re immersed full time in each course for about 4 weeks—and then you move on to the next course. In one academic year, there are two semesters (Fall and Spring). In each semester there are 4 blocks that last 4 weeks each, and one block for 2 weeks.

Immersion in One Course per Month:
www.miu.edu/about-miu/one-full-time-course-per-month

4.  Class Schedule

• Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 3:15 p.m. — with an hour for lunch
• Saturday 10:00 am to noon

There is a 20-minute classroom meditation on Monday to Friday at 2:45 p.m.
Attendance is taken on all courses, so if you miss a class due to sickness or any other reason, you need to contact your professor. If you miss more than 3 full days or 6 sessions of class, you may lose credit for that course. You may withdraw from classes, but we recommend that you discuss graduation ramifications with your academic advisor.

5.General Education Requirements
In addition to meeting the degree requirements for your major, you need to satisfy the University’s general education requirements. This helps ensure that, whatever students major in, they receive a well-rounded education.

The general education requirements include a number of courses and other items. You can find a complete list of general requirements here:
General requirements for bachelor’s degree students

6.  Campus Housing
We have separate men’s and women’s housing options. We do not have co-ed housing. Transgender students may live in the dorm that best fits their gender identity.

We have a policy for students under the age of 21 to live on campus. On campus housing comes with a full meal plan at our dining hall.

All residence halls have “quiet hours” between 9:30 pm and 9:30 am for the comfort of all residents. All dorms have visiting hours for students who do not live in that dorm, which are posted in each building.

No cooking is allowed inside the dormitory rooms, as required by State of Iowa fire safety regulations.

Coin laundry machines are available in the dormitories.

7.  Organic Dining
Our dining hall serves organic meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some of our produce comes directly from our campus greenhouses. Vegetarian meals are standard, but chicken options are served separately a few times each week.
In the dining hall you will find:

• A varied menu of hot entrees
• Salad bar
• Fresh breads
• Fresh desserts

If you have any special dietary needs or concerns, please speak with your admissions counselor.

8.  Drugs, alcohol and smoking
The use of alcohol and drugs alter brain functioning, which hinders your success as a student and counteracts the beneficial outcomes of TM practice. That's why the University has a stringent policy on the use of alcohol and illegal drugs.
One of the requirements for learning the Transcendental Meditation technique is to be free of any recreational drugs for a minimum of 15 days prior to learning. TM technique is learned in the first week of the semester.
No alcohol is allowed on campus. Students must be free of illegal drugs as long as they are enrolled at MIU, including marijuana which is illegal in the state of Iowa.

In accordance with the State of Iowa Smokefree Air Act, smoking is prohibited at Maharishi International University. Use of smokeless tobacco products is prohibited as well. All indoor and outdoor spaces are smoke and tobacco free.

9.  Safe campus
The health and safety of our campus community is of utmost importance to our university. Therefore, violence, threats of violence, and possession of a weapon, concealed or otherwise, are prohibited on campus and at any University functions, activities, or events off campus.
MIU’s Campus Safety and Security Office provides an annual report to ensure education, prevention, safety and security policy as well as reporting is available and maintained according to federal regulations. See the full Annual Security and Fire Safety Report for further information.

10. First course for undergraduate students: Exploring Consciousness
Exploring Consciousness is a 6-week long introductory course required by all undergraduate students. This course provides a foundation for all other courses you’ll take at MIU and introduces you to key ideas and terms relevant to your studies and to your life experience at MIU.

We discuss the full range of consciousness, from individual experience to a fundamental field of intelligence that underlies all of life, and we explore how this experience is unfolded through Consciousness-Based education. You will explore how Self-knowledge is the unifying basis of all branches of knowledge.

Integrated into the Exploring Consciousness course is Base Camp, a three or four-day camping trip where students, faculty, and staff go to a wilderness area. Camping trip activities may include canoeing, biking, and hiking, as well as learning outdoor skills. Winter activities may include, skiing, snowboarding, sledding and skating.

During the first week of Exploring Consciousness, you will be instructed in Transcendental Meditation, if you have not yet learned TM.

11. TM Retreats
After learning Transcendental Meditation, and also during Exploring Consciousness, one of the most enjoyable experiences a student can take advantage of is a weekend TM Retreat. TM Retreats provide a short departure from the rigors of academic study and give greater emphasis to deep rest and self-discovery. As a new student you will have the opportunity to experience the benefit of a TM Retreat

12.  Student Life Department
The Department of Student Life fosters student success by creating and promoting inclusive
educationally purposeful services and activities within and beyond the classroom.
For a list of all services provided by the Student Life department please refer to:
https://students.miu.edu/student-life/