Academic Affairs Faculty Symposium Unicoi State Park and Conference Center March , 2007 Academic Services Breakout Group Report Jan Hathcote, Facilitator

Four Proposals Raise visibility and encourage wide- spread usage of current and proposed services Emphasize coordination and publicity for different initiatives

A Comprehensive First-Year Experience A comprehensive first-year experience might include coordinated efforts among the following services to ensure that every freshman is being fully exposed to the academic opportunities and services available. There should be a coordinator for the comprehensive first-year experience in the office of the Vice- President for Instruction and a corresponding website.

A Comprehensive First-Year Experience First Year Experience Might Include: Orientation Freshman Seminars Advisors Faculty Mentoring Residential Learning Communities Freshman Composition (ENG 1101, 1102) Freshman College Summer Experience Proposed ARCH 1101 Course

Non-Residential Learning Communities Expand the Learning Communities Program to Include More Students by Creating Non-Residential Learning Communities for Students who do not live in the designated dorms. Faculty should be trained to incorporate diversity and to serve as mentors

Designated Lounges Create Lounge Space In Individual Schools and Colleges to Foster Intellectual Community and Spark Conversations, Mentoring, and Shared Opportunities Between Students and Faculty Especially Beneficial to Transfers

Majors Fairs for Undecided Majors Host Thematic Major Fairs Provide Clear Plans for Students interested in joining a particular major Highlight Career Opportunities Take Fairs To the Students: ex. Freshman in Bolton

How Can We Make This All Happen… Measurement Faculty Impacts Resources

First-Year Experience with Coordinator Measurement Student Participation/Involvement Student Retention GPAs Student Surveys

First-Year Experience Faculty Impacts Faculty Advisors Faculty Encouraged and Rewarded for Teaching Seminars Faculty Mentors Faculty Training on Diversity and Mentoring

First-Year Experience Resources Coordinator Position Website Space Issues Additional Advisors Additional Faculty for Seminars

Non-Residential Learning Communities Measurement Same as #1 Faculty Impacts Faculty Willing To Lead Resources Space Additional Faculty Time and Incentive Student Peer Advisors Small Operational Budget/Meal Tickets

Designated Lounges for Faculty/Student Interaction Measurement Existence of Space Usage Faculty Rewards for Participation Resources Space

Thematic Major Fair Measurement Participation by students and departments Reduced number of undecided majors at 60 hours, 45 hours, etc Watch GPAs Watch Enrollment Trends By Major

Thematic Major Fair Faculty Impact Faculty Participation Resources Operating Budget