1. Thomas F. Patterson, Jr. University of Vermont tpatters@uvm.edu

3. But, first… some questions about the United States of America

4. 50 stars and 13 stripes

5. Independence Day Commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776

6. The Star-Spangled Banner

7. RepublicansDemocrats

8. 193 Democrats 232 Republicans

9. 51 Democrats 47 Republicans 2 Independents

10. Bernie Sanders

11. Vermont

14.  “More than any other American state, Vermont has worked to preserve those qualities that make it unique," such as scenic countryside, lively small towns, historic streetscapes, local businesses.  For sustainable destinations, the NGS ranked Vermont fifth in the world and first in the US.

16. Montpelier

19.  One of the ten “Best Cities for the Next Decade” -- 2010 Kiplinger Personal Finance  #2 “Best College Town” in the US --2010 MSN  #1 “Healthiest Place for Women” -- 2009 SELF  #1 “Place to Raise a Family -- 2009 Children’s Health  “Top City to Raise a Family: --2009 National Geographic Adventure  #2 “Greenest Small City in America” – 2008 Organic Gardening  One of the “Best Places to Raise Your Kids” – 2008 Business Week  “Best Green Place to Live in America” – 2007 Country Home  One of the “Best Places to Retire” in America – 2007 CNNMoney.com, and  Winner “Best Town” competition in Burba.com -- 2007

22. Universitas Virdis Montis

23. University of the Green Mountains

24.  One of the nation’s Top and Up-Coming Schools, institutions that “are worth watching because they are making promising and innovative changes” -- US News and World Report  A “top public university for placing grads in the best medical, law and business schools” – The Wall Street Journal  A “top school for high salary grads” – Business Week  Among the 20 Coolest Schools in the US for “commitment to the environment” – Sierra Magazine  One of the nation’s best colleges for fostering social responsibility and public service – The Princeton Review  Among the top 10 schools for fitness – Men’s Fitness  A lead role in the growing national appeal of public universities for out-of-state students – USA Today, and  There could hardly be a more appealing place than UVM - Fisk Guide to Colleges

25.  Seven Academic Colleges and Schools  An Honors College  A Medical School  A Graduate School  An Adult Continuing Education College  An Extension Program

26.  College of Agriculture and Life Sciences  College of Arts and Sciences  College of Education and Social Services  College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences  College of Nursing and Health Sciences  School of Environment and Natural Resources  School of Business Administration

27.  Animal Science  Microbiology and Molecular Genetics  Nutrition and Food Sciences  Plant Biology  Plant and Social Science  Community Development and Applied Economics

28.  Self Designed  Cross College Programs ◦ Biochemistry ◦ Biological Science ◦ Environmental Sciences ◦ Environmental Studies

29.  At University: ◦ You don’t have to go to class. ◦ You need to manage your time. ◦ You need to study more. ◦ The reading load is heavier and tougher. ◦ Taking notes is more difficult. ◦ You won’t be reminded of deadlines and tests. ◦ There are no As for efforts. ◦ Your parents won’t be able to help much. ◦ Help is available, but you have to seek it out. ◦ You need to balance work and play. ◦ You need to develop new relationships and eat new food. ◦ Discipline problems are not tolerated, and ◦ You choose your major and some classes.

31.  Help First-Year Students make the transition from high school to college  Facilitate First-Year Students to develop intellectual and social engagement  Ultimately, increase student retention rates

32. All First-Year Students enrolled in CALS take two 3 credit Foundations courses their first year.  Fall Semester: CALS 001 -- Foundations: Communication Methods  Spring Semester: CALS 002 -- Foundations: Informational Technology

33. How CALS 001 helps to meet the FYE goals:  Help FY students to make the transition from high school to college  Promote First-Year Students to develop intellectual and social engagement  Ultimately increase student retention rates

34.  Structure of class: Lecture and Lab  Instructors: Senior Lecturer and upper-class TAs  Lectures on UVM organization, help systems, time management, plagiarism, group behavior.  Credit for: ◦ Joining a club or group ◦ Meeting with their faculty advisor twice the semester ◦ Writing two learning reflections a week on Blackboard ◦ Completing a library exercise ◦ Outside speech critique paper, edited by lab colleague ◦ Critiques, attendance and attitude ◦ Midterm and final exam

35.  Oral Communication (General Education Skills) ◦ Class Introduction ◦ Group Presentation  Critical analysis of 2 articles ◦ Individual Presentations  Impromptu  Informational  Persuasive  Choice ◦ Reflection Papers

36.  Get to know themselves better by creating, giving and reflecting on their ‘passionate’ oral presentations  Get to know a group of CALS FY students well, through giving and critiquing oral presentations  Do and learn about important things that will help them make the transition to higher education  Learn through reflection on experience  Develop the transferable general education skills of oral communication that serve them in future classes and after graduation, and  Often seek important academic and personal advice from Upper-Class TAs

38. Thomas F. Patterson, Jr. Senior Lecturer University of Vermont Burlington, VT 05401 tpatters@uvm.edu