University Connections

Teaching USU 1010

Connections instructors have a tremendous impact on their students' transition to college. Like all teaching positions, this job is both challenging and rewarding. The Connections office provides instructors with a set curriculum and a partially set schedule, and then allows each instructor to customize portions of the course, making each section unique.

Instructor Task List and Timeline

March and April
May - July
August
September
  • Teach Follow-Up Session(s)
  • Grade Assignments
  • Submit Receipts for Reimbursement
  • Remind Students of Due Dates
October
  • Submit Grades to Banner by October 7
  • Submit Receipts for Reimbursement by October 7
  • Hold follow-up meeting with students week of October 16

 

Application

Faculty and staff members are welcome to apply to teach Connections. If you have questions about your teaching eligibility, please contact Lisa Hancock at lisa.hancock@usu.edu.

Connections Teaching Application (Due March 8)

Connections Overview

Connections is an early-semester course taught August 21-24, with two or three additional follow up sessions in the first weeks of fall semester, and one class follow-up during the week of October 14. It has a standard curriculum across all 60 sections, and allows instructors the opportunity to add additional insights.

Course Objectives and Outcomes

The course objectives and outcomes are central to all activities and instruction during the course. They can be found here.

Sample Schedule and Syllabus

Sample Connections Schedule

2012 Syllabus

Job Responsibilities

Specific job responsibilities, as well as resources provided to instructors, can be found in the instructor application. If you have specific questions about instructor responsibilities, the time commitment, or anything else, please contact a member of the Connections Advisory Committee or contact Lisa Hancock at 435-797-1125.

Compensation

Instructors are paid $1200 upon fulfilling the course responsibilities. Payment can be made through departmental fund transfer or payroll deposit.

Training

First-time instructors attend three training meetings for a total of 7 hours. Returning instructors attend two training meetings for a total of 5.5 hours.

  • First-time instructor training: March 25 or 28 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. (choose one)
  • Training for new and returning instructors: April 3 or 4 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. (choose one)
  • Fall training for new and returning instructors: August 13 12:30-4:00 p.m. (lunch provided)
  • Optional brown bag discussions are held April 17 and August 7, with additional discussions scheduled as needed.

Instructor Resources

Connections instructors can refer to a collection of lesson plans, icebreakers, ideas, and short videos that can be used in class.