It Takes a Campus: Collaborations to Support Entering Students Dr. Dorothy Ward, Director, Entering Student Program Joanne Kropp, Assistant Director for Academics Entering Student Program Abby Cooperman, Clinical Counselor University Counseling Center TACUSPA Fall 2009 Annual Conference Monday, October 5, 2009

Presentation Overview Overview of UTEP and ESP Importance of Collaborations Examples of UTEP Collaborations Benefits of Collaborations Recommendations for Successful Collaborations

The University of Texas at El Paso Public, comprehensive four-year university Doctoral/Research Intensive Enrollment 21,011 (Fall 2009) –17,205 Undergraduate –3,806 Graduate

The University of Texas at El Paso (Fall 2008) Student Profile –75% Hispanic –83% from El Paso County –98% commuter –81% employed –60% receive financial assistance –54% first-generation college students

Entering Student Program (Fall 2009) University 1301(first-year seminar) sections, 2,208 students, 58 instructors University sections, 246 students, 5 instructors Peer Leader Program --94 peer leaders Learning Communities --69 LCs, 1,267 students, 85 instructors

Why Are Collaborations Important? Addresses the needs of the “whole” student Reduces what Ernest Boyer describes as “bureaucratic fiefdoms” that divide academic and “student life concerns” Creates a campus network that supports students’ academic and personal development

Examples of UTEP Collaborations

Collaborations Career Exploration - University Counseling Center –DISCOVER –Instructor & peer Leader training –Handouts: Instructions, activities, assignments –Classroom visits to process results Mental Fitness – University Counseling Center –Workshops/Events for students Depression Screening –Classroom presentations Topics: Time Management, Stress Management, Study Skills, Learning Styles, Test Anxiety, Self-Esteem, Anger Management, Dating Safety, Body Image, Dieting Dangers/Eating Disorders, etc.

Collaborations, cont. Career Planning – University Career Center –Instructor trainings –Classroom visits –Module – handouts, activities, assignments –Dissemination of information re. Career/Job Fairs, other campus events –UNIV 1301/2350 Advisory Board

Collaborations, cont. Financial Planning – Student Affairs –Money Matters DVD –Website with activities/assignments –Instructor training Clubs and Organizations – Student Development Center –Classroom visits –Dissemination of information re. events Leadership – Student Affairs –Residential Learning Community Mine Tracker – SA and SDC –Co-curricular transcript as part of ESP inventory

Collaborations, cont. Textbook Contributors (Borders: Crossing into Your Future) “Chapter 5: Academic Resources” –Librarians “Chapter 6: Avoiding Hazards Along the Way” –Dean of Students –Chief of Campus Police “Chapter 7: Healthy Student Living” –University Health Center –University Counseling Center

Partnerships, cont. “Chapter 8: Career Planning” –University Career Center “Chapter 9: Money Matters for the UTEP Student” –Office of Financial Aid –Office of Scholarships –Instructional Support Services –Student Affairs “Chapter 10: Campus Resources” –Student Clubs & Organizations – Student Development Center

Benefits of Collaborations

Successful Collaboration Benefits Everyone Academic Affairs Student Affairs Students

Benefits to Academic Affairs Educates faculty about college student development (e.g. career planning, relationships, stress) and university resources available to assist Helps faculty integrate these topics into their curriculum Reduces faculty anxiety about addressing difficult students/situations by fostering connections with Student Affairs professionals

Benefits to Student Affairs Opportunity to educate large numbers of incoming students about Student Affairs Ability to provide “prevention” services in the classroom, reducing the number of students requiring individual attention Increased usage of valuable programs and resources (e.g. Job Mine, DISCOVER) Increased communication with faculty, resulting in timely, appropriate responses to troubled students or crisis situations

Benefits to Students Learning about Student Affairs at the start of their college experience Meeting Student Affairs professionals in the classroom, creating a smoother, more integrated transition to the university Mastering skills for adjusting to college, planning a career path, coping with stress, increasing social connections, and improving academic performance Receiving support for developing all aspects of their identity (Chickering’s Seven Vectors)

Recommendations for Successful Collaborations

Place the student at the center Recognize and respect the expertise of collaborators Establish expectations of and opportunities for collaboration

What recommendations do you have for creating successful collaborations?

Questions?

Contacts Dr. Dorothy Ward, Director, ESP Joanne Kropp, Assistant Director of Academics, ESP Abby Cooperman, Clinical Counselor, U Counseling C