1. Undergraduate Studies at Florida State University
Leaders for a Better Future
Undergraduate Studies at Florida State University
Karen L. Laughlin Dean, Undergraduate Studies

2. Our Mission
Undergraduate Studies works to help each undergraduate student at Florida State University establish a strong educational foundation.
Serves as the academic home for most freshmen and sophomores.
Sponsors and directs a wide variety of programs designed to promote academic engagement, retention/degree completion, and overall academic success.
Supervises and monitors state- and university-wide degree requirements, including Liberal Studies, the writing requirement, and the multicultural requirement.

3. Accepted Freshman Class or FTIC
Approx FTIC (plus approx transfers)
Middle 50%: SAT ; ACT 26-30
Middle 50%: High School GPA
The top quartile: HS GPA of 4.37, SAT 2000 and ACT 30
1st year Retention Rate 91% (unofficial)
30% self-reported First Generation
89% participated in AP/IB/AICE/Dual Enrollment
49% took Calculus in HS

5. Programs for FTICs: Transitioning and Developing Academic Independence
Honors Program (approx. 650 students & 200+ lateral admits)
Recruitment activities
Honors Courses; Honors Medical/Legal Scholars
Honors Housing in Landis Hall
Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE)
Summer Bridge (approx. 350 students a year)
1st Generation
Economically Disadvantaged
Freshman Interest Groups (approx students this year)
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)
153 Freshmen and Sophomores

6. Living-Learning Communities
427 Students
Advising First
Academic Advising
First contact at Orientation
Ongoing outreach efforts
“Centralized Decentralization”

7. Independence Is Not Always Easy to Establish

9. Academic Center for Excellence
WJB Learning Studio:
“Johnston Ground”
Academic Consultations & Workshops
Tutoring and Tutor Certification
Academic Success Course SLS1122

10. Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR)
Student Council for Undergraduate Research and Creativity (SCURC)
The Owl (Undergraduate Research Journal)
Undergraduate Research Opportunity (UROP)
Global Scholars
Graduate Research Consultants (GRC)
Fall/Spring Research Symposium

11. FSU Honors Program: Ongoing Engagement Honors in the Major
Honors Medallion
Honors Student Association
Honors Mentors
Honors Delegates

12. Office of National Fellowships (ONF)
Goldwater Scholars
Truman Finalist
Fulbright
Recipients

13. Leaders for a Better Future
Honors , Scholars and Fellows House Opening Spring 2014
An HFS House would be a strategic investment in high-impact activities
Fostering sense of diverse intellectual community has a multiplier effect
Enhances intellectual, social and moral development; “Social capital” of our best graduates (Research studies on “friendship effect,” value of “weak ties” that connect diverse groups and ideas, fostering more creative and flexible thinking than interactions with homogeneous peers)
Developing students’ critical thinking, skills in debate, awareness of a range of social issues builds stronger leaders for business & industry as well as more competitive applicants for awards & fellowships
Would encourage these students to give back because they have developed a stronger sense of connection
Would enhance recruitment—powerful impact on prospective students & their families
Would enhance faculty engagement and support (involving faculty in activities at the house; more central location and greater visibility for faculty, too)

14. How do these programs impact the FSU experience?
Over the last few years our students have been awarded/named
Rhodes Scholars/Finalists Pickering Fellows
Goldwater Scholars Hollings Scholars
Fulbright Recipients Rangel Finalists
Truman Scholars/Finalists DAAD Fellows
Udall Scholars
ONF, Honors, and OUR administered 147 undergraduate research & travel awards totaling $184,032--from $500-$4000 each.
153 students enrolled in UROP; 117 faculty projects posted so far. 100% retention of last year’s UROP participants.

15. FTIC Retention Rates
90% Threshold

16. Engagement Opportunities: What Faculty Can Do
Foster research & encourage students to apply for research awards
Teach Honors courses
Direct an Honors Thesis or DIS; Post a UROP research project; Engage a GRC
Encourage students to apply for fellowships & assist with the process
Teach in the Living Learning Communities

17. What Faculty Can Do cont.
Learn about our Liberal Studies philosophy & discuss it with your students
Refer students as tutors and for academic consultations
Take attendance and give tests and quizzes on Thursdays and Fridays
Give assignments that strengthen writing, reasoning, research, and critical thinking skills
Remember that your syllabus is a contract with your students

18. Comments and Questions?
Thank You
Comments and Questions?
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