OUR PARTNERSHIP Student Success Is Our Goal Opportunities in the First Year

1. OUR PARTNERSHIPStudent Success Is Our GoalOpportunities in the First Year Jill Randles 410-455-3715 jrandles@umbc.edu http://www.umbc.edu/oue www.umbc.edu/orientation

2. What we want to do is help students with decision making... Reader’s Digest, 10-10

3. UMBC Culture and Values • “It’s cool to be smart” • Expectations are high • Learn for mastery…not just a grade • Expect students to engaged and accept responsibility for their own learning • Engage with us…be part of our community • Attend lectures, performances, research days, exhibitions—better yet participate in one or more • Get connected by participating in co-curricular activities as well such as SGA, Athletics, Clubs and Organizations, Sororities, Fraternities, etc.

4. The Research University a Learning Community—shared experiences What does this mean? • Faculty have scholarly and research responsibilities…in the lab, on stage, in the design studio, writing, to name a few • Faculty research informs the classroom • Many opportunities for students to engage with faculty and learn through research and study • Classes are not the only means of getting an education at UMBC

5. COMMUNICATION • We communicate with the student directly. • Faculty and staff inform students of their options, but will expect them to take the initiative. • Expect students to utilize our primary forms of communication which include UMBC e-mail, myUMBC, and Black Board (classes). • Most of us do not text message students or IM nor are we on Facebook, at least not for this reason.

6. Transfers at UMBC- Their Gifts • Their academic experience, and the way in which they contribute to the classroom experience • Their confidence • Their understanding of how academic institutions work • Their focus • Their understanding of what works best for them • Their experience with multi-tasking • Their motivation • Their experience with problem-solving

7. Transfers at UMBC- Their Challenges • Their academic experience—for better or worse • Their confidence—Sometimes they do need our help • Their understanding of how academic institutions work, but UMBC has its own way of doing things. Every institution has its own little idiosyncrasies. • Their understanding of what works best for them, and what has worked before may be just as successful. ..or not. • Their experience with multi-tasking—means many of them take on too much and this does not have a favorable impact on their academics. Get to know UMBC!! • Their desire to get their degree—This does not always translate into getting done AND doing well...balance!!

10. What’s Missing? • 11.5 more study hours (3 hrs. for 1 hr. in class) • Job, Full or part-time, on or off campus • Breakfast • Shower • Dressing/Laundry • Commuting • Parking • Sports • Family Responsibilities • Socializing • Sleeping • Sorority / Fraternity • Time to Relax • Tutoring/Study Groups • Meeting with Advisor • Meeting with Faculty

11. Successful Students: Use our resources • If students reach out and ask for help or we recognize an issue that needs to be addressed, there are many resource options. • Advisor • RA/Peer Mentors • Community Director • Professors • Counseling Center • Academic/Pre-professional Advising • Off Campus Student Services • Learning Resources Center

12. Successful Students: Get to know faculty and staff (http://www.umbc.edu/oue) • First Year Academic Seminars: Unique topics taught by full-time faculty, 20 students, meets GEP/GFR-Three-credit course • “Introduction to an Honors University” seminar: (ENES 101Y, ENGL 100Y, etc.) study skills, time management, library, career exploration, internships, etc.-One-credit attached to a Core Course. • TRS 201: Transfer Student Seminar: New offering in some departments, 1-credit, unique combination of an IHU and content in the major

13. Successful Students: Spend time with each other Welcome Week: Academic Sessions, New Student Book Experience (Hot: Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth by Mark Hertsgaard) and many other activities that connect students to UMBC. Book discussions occur on Monday, August 26th from 3-4:15 p.m. Involvement Fest…join a club or organization Commuter Retreat: Above and Beyond, Saturday, August, 24th – Visit http://umbc.edu/ocss/commuterretreat for more information

14. Successful Students: Engage with learning • Study Groups in Core Courses: How pedagogy is impacting student success • Internships—Connecting with job interests through the Shriver Center • Career Services –Workshops/job placement • Study Abroad • Undergraduate Research • Departmental Seminars—Get to know faculty • Graduate/Professional Schools—find out now what is expected • Professional Organizations that have chapters on campus

15. Successful Students: Manage their time effectively

16. In Closing...Our students need support in… • Recognizing the importance of communication…with peers, faculty, staff and you. • Recognizing the need to engage with their new campus community and actively participate in their educational experience. • Recognizing that this experience requires that they make a commitment to doing what they need to do reach their goals. Doing things well is more important than doing them quickly.

17. Thank you for being here today and ... ...for supporting your family member in coming to UMBC, and we look forward to working with you as a “team” to ensure their success. Welcome...or welcome back...to UMBC!!

18. The Future of Information AccessTaken from The Saturday Evening Post July/August 2008, page 2