Advising Coordinating Committee


Thursday, May 8, 2003

MINUTES

Attending: John Mortensen (conducting), Lisa Allen, Aaron Andersen, Noelle Call, Dee Child, Christine Christensen, Myra Cook, Glenn Davis, Krystin M. Deschamps, Marie Dinger, Ron Godfrey, Fawn Groves, Susan Haddock, Tressa Haderlie, Stephanie Hamblin, Ruth Harrison, Arseneth Hartman, Dan Hubert, Peter Kolesar, Marilyn B. Kruse, Jill Long, Christine Lord, Jana Kay Lunstad, Susie Maughan, Cathy Meyers-Roche, Cindy Moulton, Sheri Noble, Wade Oliver, Deborah Reece, Mary Lou Reynolds, Isobel Roskelley, Tami Spackman, Suzie Stones, Rudy Tarpley, Maureen Wagner, Dennis Welken, Eric Worthen and various extension sites.

1. Programs for New Multicultural Students - Fawn Groves

The Multicultural Student Services office provides extra opportunities for new students to be involved with the university. Realizing Educational Potential or REP Week runs in conjunction with the University Connections class. Both activities are scheduled for August 17-22, but REP week provides opportunities during breaks in Connections activities. The students are fed by the MSS office and will be introduced to the office staff and other services that are provided. It is an additionally fun way for students to get involved.

TOPS (Transitional Opportunities for Proactive Students) is a one-credit class taught by Fawn every Fall Semester. It has been a Pass/Fail class, but it may become a graded credit. In this class, freshmen learn skills such as college writing, time management, leadership development, and Financial Aid in’s and out’s. TOPS will be taught every Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. The MSS office emphasizes the fact that all students are welcome including Caucasian students. Please refer students who are interested to Fawn Groves.

2. CIL Classes-John Mortensen

Next fall, only BIS 1400 and USU 1000 will teach the required skills for the CIL requirement. CS 1020, Engr 1010, and InsT 1000 will no longer administer the exam as part of the class.

3. May 22nd Advising Conference-John Mortensen

The conference originally scheduled for May 22 has been postponed until August 12.

4. Graduation Guarantee at SOAR-Wade Oliver

Wade reviewed the details of Graduation Guarantee to make sure everyone is up-to-date. Students who are interested may contact their advisor to see if their program is involved. The advisor will draw up a course contract and mail it to Wade. The student will contact Wade and sign the contract. Those who later decide to change their major are not penalized, but the contract is no longer valid. Each semester Wade checks to make sure that the students are enrolled in the right classes. The program is also open to transfer students and others who have already completed their first few years.

5. SOAR-Aaron Andersen & John Mortensen

As many already know, an Early Registration Survey has been sent to all students with an index number of 121+. Consequently, students have signed up for SOAR earlier in comparing numbers to this same time last year. Postcards and emails have also been sent out in an effort to encourage students to come to SOAR.

A typical SOAR day consists of the following:

-Check-in: the students will get their SOAR packets and sign up for their USU e-mail account

-Welcome: students are given a brief welcome to the University and an introduction of the orientation staff

-Transitions to College: the orientation staff gives each student an explanation of how to register, how to pay tuition and fees, how to choose classes, and transition to college life in general

-Workshops: students may choose two workshops from many topics including How to Deal with Roommates, How to Pay for College, Surviving in Logan, and Clubs and Organizations

-Student Services: the orientation staff introduces students to the offices that make up Student Services and gives a brief tour of the Taggart Student Center

-Lunch

-University Requirements: John Mortensen talks about all of the graduation requirements, general education, and registration policies

-Advisors: at 1:00 p.m. every SOAR day, students will be taken to meet with their academic advisor

-Registration: students come back to the TSC to register, talk to the clubs and organizations booths, and get free Aggie Ice Cream. If you helped to advise students, please feel free to come and get a scoop of ice cream.

If you have a club or organization that would like to be represented at SOAR, please contact Aaron Andersen to reserve a table in the main hall of the student center. Each afternoon, students are free to talk with representatives at tables about their interests.

To help advise students, John prints out a list of all the 1000 and 2000 that still have openings. If you would like a member of the orientation staff to bring one to you when they bring the students to be advised, please let us know. We also have the new Source Books (New Student Handbooks) available. Advisors who wish to have a copy may contact the SOAR Office.

The first day any first-year students may register is June 12th. Transfer students can register now if they have completed their advising and purchased a SOAR packet.

6. Other

AP and CLEP test updates are coming soon. We will get them on the internet as soon as possible so you can have the most accurate information.

CALENDAR

Soar Dates-All advising sessions begin at 1:00 p.m.
Monday, June 9 Transfer Students
Tue-Fri, June 10-13 Outdoor (advising on June 12)
Thur-Fri, June 12-13 Two-Day (advising on June 12)
Monday, June 16 One-Day
Tuesday, June 17 One-Day
Thursday, June 19 One-Day
Friday, June 20 One-Day
Monday, June 23 One-Day
Wednesday, June 25 One-Day
Thursday, June 26 One-Day

Monday, August 11 New Advisor Orientation
Tuesday, August 12 USU Advising Conference
Wednesday, August 20 College FOCUS Groups During Connections Week (2:15-3:00 p.m.)

Thursday, September 18 Advising Coordinating Committee (11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.)


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