1. Office of Academic Student Instructional Support -OASIS- -Cheri Tillman, Pat Burns

2. THE CHALLENGE Student persistence is 65 percent after the first year, less than 50 percent after the second year of college. Less than 40 percent of the students that begin their freshman year at VSU will graduate. Projected lost revenues to VSU for ten students who do not persist beyond their first semester is $326,811.

3. WHY STUDENTS LEAVE Academic difficulty Adjustment difficulties Uncertain goals Weak Commitments Isolation

4. The Freshman Year Experience PRE-ENTRY INSTITUTIONAL OUTCOME ATTRIBUTES EXPERIENCES FAMILY BACKGROUND SKILLS & ABILITIES PRIOR SCHOOLING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE FACULTY/STAFF INTERACTIONS EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES PEER GROUP INTERACTIONS ACADEMIC INTEGRATION SOCIAL INTEGRATION

5. The Freshman Year Experience.....it is the education of students, their social and intellectual growth, that is the proper goal of retention efforts. It is essential that we recognize the centrality of education to the process of student retention. Vincent Tinto - Leaving College

6. …...OF SPECIAL NOTE…... …….though the intentions and commitment with which individuals enter college matter, what goes on after entry matters more. It is the daily interaction of the student with other members of the college in both formal and informal academic and social domains that in large measure determine staying or leaving. - Vincent Tinto

7. The Freshman Year Experience VISION STATEMENT The office of Academic Student Instructional Support (OASIS) will provide an exceptional educational experience dedicated to achieving the highest level of excellence within our academic community. In doing so, we will advance a philosophy of teamwork and cooperation throughout VSU.

8. The Freshman Year Experience OASIS CORE VALUES We will foster an atmosphere for learning that is non-threatening, encourages creative thinking and questioning, and respects diversity. We will encourage learning communities in which each individual is potentially both a teacher and learner. As educators, we will maintain the highest professional standards of teaching excellence. We will exemplify professionalism, charity, and civility in all our working relationships to infuse the spirit of our work into the university culture.

9. The Freshman Year Experience PROGRAM GOAL The goal of the Freshman Year Experience is to maximize every students potential to achieve academic success and to adjust responsibly to the individual and interpersonal challenges presented by collegiate life.

10. The Freshman Year Experience FYE Program Components Freshman Seminar Learning Communities & Linked Courses Faculty Advising & Mentoring Peer Tutoring

11. PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES THAT ENCOURAGE PERSISTENCE Academic skills development Intrusive advising & mentoring Frequent contact with faculty & staff Tutoring and supplemental instruction Involvement in extracurricular activities clubs, and organizations

12. The Freshman Year Experience Freshman Seminar I This course is an introduction to lifelong learning with emphasis on college study skills. Topics include: learning styles, time management, learning and memory skills, learning from texts and lecture, note taking, objective and essay examinations, critical thinking skills, and a realistic assessment of future employment opportunities.

13. The Freshman Year Experience Learning Cohorts Learning Communities Career Paper

14. The Freshman Year Experience Freshman Seminar II This course is a continuation of Freshman Seminar I with an emphasis on empowering students to make responsible choices in college and life. Includes practical and self- reflective exercises in promoting growth and change.

15. The Freshman Year Experience Freshman Seminar II Topics: Computer and Information Technology Career Development

16. The Freshman Year Experience Freshman Seminar II Topics: Personal and Leadership Development

17. The Freshman Year Experience Freshman Seminar II Topics: Service-Learning Project Service-Learning Journal

18. HAVEN CHILDREN Wild Adventures

19. SERVICE-LEARNING

20. The Freshman Year Experience Advising – Each faculty member has a cohort. These students are advised by that instructor. Mentoring – We take advising to a higher level by mentoring our students.

21. The Freshman Year Experience Peer Mentors Attends Freshman Seminar class Monitors student progress Coordinates Fall Explosion activities Provides instruction in study skills Develops study groups Motivates students toward academic success

23. The Freshman Year Experience Supplemental Instruction SI targets academic courses which are lecture classes and offers regularly scheduled review sessions. SI Objectives Increase student skills in comprehension, analysis, critical thinking, and problem solving. Integrate review of course content with study skills and learning strategies.

24. The Freshman Year Experience Supplemental Instruction Why SI Works Students learn how to study. Students use their study skills on the course content itself. Students are involved in their own learning.

25. The Freshman Year Experience It Works!

28. NOTE: 78 FYE and 48 VSU 1101 students did not identify their major because they had not declared their major, or were undecided.