Progress

Departments and units work continuously to create intentional policies, practices, and initiatives designed to improve the first-year of college for students at Utah State University.

Undergraduate Research Partnerships

The 2006 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) found that 26% of USU seniors have worked on a research project with a faculty member outside of course or program requirements, a higher percentage than USUıs 38 Carnegie Peer Institutions. As Richard Light, notes in Making the Most of College, ıthe most successful students got extensive supervision . . .by working with a professor in that faculty memberıs lab research.ı A University of Michigan study shows that research partnerships are most effective in promoting the retention of students, particularly those at great risk for college attrition.

Theme housing fostering community and learning outside the classroom

Background: Theme Housing is comprised of approximately 250 students in twelve themes administered by 13 Peer Mentors. Theme Housing can be found in three campus communities including the Living/Learning Community, South Campus, and the Towers. The program was initiated in 2001 and continues to grow.

Our current program includes three primary options: Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs), Academic Lifestyles, and Community Lifestyles. Our FIGs are located in Mountain View and Valley View Towers and are designed to assist freshmen in exploring their interests and possible majors. The Academic Lifestyles are located primarily in South Campus and are linked to specific colleges and departments. The Community Lifestyles are located in both South Campus and the LLC and reflect a collaborative effort with various Student Services offices.

Purpose: The underlying principle of Theme Housing is to link residence halls with academic or general interest themes in order to create communities of residents with shared interests and goals.

Ultimately, Theme Housing is dedicated to providing an experience where residents:

  • Feel a sense of community and commitment to their fellow residents.
  • Learn outside of the classroom through service and field trips.
  • Respect diversity, encourage creativity, and share ideas.
  • Foster informal relationships with faculty and staff.
  • Develop their leadership potential.
  • Participate in campus and community events.
  • Grow individually with the support of an academic and social network.
  • Acquire new skills related to their theme.
  • Connect to Utah State and its traditions.

Initiatives: Theme Housing is working with the Honors Program, the Office for Student Involvement and Leadership, and the Department of Elementary Education to incorporate academic classes into our current learning communities. We are also formalizing the educational component of our FIGs.

Currently, students in Honors House are required to register for Honors Connections, Scholarıs Forum, and at least one breadth class each semester. For 2008-2009, Honors House residents will also register for a political science course together that will focus on the 2008 elections and the importance of informed citizenship.

Leadership House residents attend Aggie B.L.U.E and register for a leadership-focused section of Connections that continues throughout fall semester. We will continue this collaboration but with the intentional linking of class assignments to activities in the residence hall.

Designated sections of Connections for Honors Students and Research Fellows Honors Scholars Forum & Honors Breadth Class, Honors Inquiry

An online class, Scholars Forum, that teaches first-year students how to navigate the university and where to find help when needed. Features of this class include meeting your advisor, choosing a major, learning where your departmental office is, and learning about the counseling center Starting in Fall 08, all Honors students will also be in an Honors breadth class, helping them to find an academic community right away Each breadth class has an UTF, called an Honors Fellow, who holds study sessions and serves as a link between the students and the Honors office In spring semester of their first year, students must enroll in Honors Inquiry, a class keyed to their major that focuses on undergraduate research and reinforces the departmental Honors community

Honors holds monthly socials or service activities We visit the sophomore classes to emphasize the relationship between the sophomore year and Honors Honors House, a living-learning community Honors provides weekly math tutoring.

Notification of Financial Aid and Student Employment Opportunities

The Financial Aid Office's primary mission is to make it financially possible for students to stay in school. Over half of all USU students receive financial assistance through our office. We publicize financial aid opportunities and help students through the complicated federal application process. We present regular financial aid orientations to freshmen classes at the Logan and Brigham campuses.

Federal programs are not specifically targeted at freshmen and sophomores (with one minor exception - the Academic Competitive Grant). However, more sophomores receive aid than freshmen, and they receive slightly higher amounts.

Scholarship requirements were eased to help new students make the transition to the University. Scholarships now only require students to enroll in 12 credits instead of 15. Current policy is also more forgiving for students who have a bad first term; we give students an additional semester to reach the minimum GPA. On request, we hold scholarships students who take a leave of absence.

Employment is another major source of student funding. We solicit and post jobs for students (2800 jobs, including 754 on-campus jobs so far this year). Job listings are available online so the students can print off their own referrals at any time. Nearly one-third of USU students are on USU payroll: 328 students have Work-Study jobs.

Library: Integration of information literacy instruction into the English 1010 and English 2010 curriculum

Retention Partnerships

Merrill-Cazier Library

Merrill-Cazier Library is committed to student success. Data shows that student engagement with faculty is a key component to that success. In order to promote student engagement with library faculty during a students' first and second year, librarians have worked closely with the English Department's Writing Program to closely integrate information literacy instruction into the English 1010 and English 2010 curriculum. Librarians teach vital library and critical thinking skills using an intensive, "high-touch" approach. Students meet with librarians 3-6 times per semester in English 1010 and 2010. Assessments show that students learn valuable research skills and are more comfortable asking for help from a librarian as a result of their library instruction in English 1010 and 2010.

Retention Goals

Merrill-Cazier Library

Assess the impact of library instruction on student success and retention, using both quantitative and qualitative measures, such as student exit interviews.

SAAVI Office

Mandatory Trainings for Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff, those who teach and work with students, often become aware of their studentsı personal problems, concerns, and so forth. They are also in a position to convey information to students about the services available on campus. Faculty and staff are, therefore, an important referral source.

The SAAVI Office proposes the creation of a mandatory training for all incoming USU faculty and staff regarding the nature and type of services available to students/members of campus through the SAAVI Office. This training would include and explanation of the SAAVI program; definitions of rape, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking; an explanation of advocacy services available through SAAVI; and tips on how to be helpful to someone who discloses an experience with interpersonal violence. It is our hope that by educating those who disseminate information to students, we will increase student awareness/utilization of our services.

Counseling Center

Initiative #2: Math Substitution Policy

For almost twenty years, the Counseling Center has partnered with the Disability Resource Center to assess students for learning disabilities. Read More

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