WELCOME FUTURE BOBCATS! [and parents]

1. WELCOME FUTURE BOBCATS![and parents] University College Laying the Foundation for Student Success

2. University College Mission University College has been laying the foundation for undergraduate students’ success since its founding in 1935. The “bricks” that form this foundation include Bobcat Student Orientation, the Allen Student Help Center, Learning Community Programs, the Academic Advancement Center, the College Adjustment Program [A TRIO Student Support Services Project], transition and skills courses, specialized degree programs, Army ROTC, and Air Force ROTC. The mortar that binds these bricks together is our commitment to excellence in academic advising, which is central to every program, project, and initiative in University College.

3. Academic Advising • Academic Advising has been essential to University College’s mission since 1935. • Our advising team is composed of 43 faculty and 11 professional advisors, along with 13 graduate students, spanning the various departments, schools, and colleges of Ohio University. • Our advisors are dedicated to helping students make successful educational, cultural, emotional, and personal transitions from high school to higher education. • Advisors work collaboratively and closely with students so that they may choose the major that best suits their individual interests, skills, and goals. • University College serves as a central advising resource for both students and faculty.

4. Learning Community Programs • ALL FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS, INCLUDING TRANSFER STUDENTS WITH FEWER THAN 30 CREDIT HOURS, PARTICIPATE IN A LEARNING COMMUNITY THEIR FIRST QUARTER.A learning community (LC) is a group of students who take a common set of courses together or share a common experience around their academics. Participants in a LC develop a deeper understanding of the courses’ subject matter while they build relationships and learn together outside of the classroom. • Other learning community benefits include a reserved seat in popular, difficult to get courses, a way to pursue personal interests while fulfilling graduation requirements, the feel of a small college network but with the resources of a major university, opportunities to meet and socialize with people who have similar interests, a boost to college success, and a smoother transition to college life.

5. The University Experience [UC 115] • The University Experience Course [UC 115] is a 2-credit hour course offered on the Athens campus to undecided students who are in their first quarter at OHIO University. • UC 115 assists students in making a successful transition to the academic community and is the core course for learning communities in University College. • Course Learning Outcomes include personal responsibility, goal-setting, exploring majors and careers, campus involvement, study skills, deep thinking, and self assessment. • Results after one year of requiring all students to take UC 115 as part of an LC include: • Drop in Fall Quarter probation rate from 14.6% to 8.7% for first year students • Increase in retention rate of first year students from 72.1% to 79.1% • Increase in first quarter GPA of first year students from 2.73 to 2.96

6. Academic Advancement Center [AAC] • The Academic Advancement Center, beginning its 40th year, is the central resource for academicsupport for OHIO undergraduates. • Supplemental Instruction [SI], a nationally recognized program, provides out-of-class review for some of OHIO’s more challenging first year courses. SI leaders [among OHIO’s finest undergraduates] offer SI sessions to over 5,000 students per year. • Tutoring Services/Math Lab:Students have 24/7 access to the 175 trained peer tutors who cover over 425 courses. Math Lab provides evening drop in hours, individual appointments, a telephone hotline and an on-line help service for students enrolled in math related courses. Impacts 800+ students per year. • Computer Learning Labprovides individual and group help in basic to advanced technology applications. Impacts 3,000/quarter. • Academic Skills:for credit courses, individual and group tutoring, and our national award winning site Study Tips provide help in learning strategies, college reading skills and basic computing. • College Adjustment Program [CAP]: Beginning its 30th year, this U.S. Department of Education, TRIO Student Support Services Program, has helped over 2500 individuals who were academically underprepared for college adjust to the challenges of college life.

7. Allen Student Help Center • STUDENTS MAY FIND ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT FROM THE STAFF OF THE ALLEN STUDENT HELP CENTER. • The Center’s purpose is to assist students who are struggling with academic performance or with personal adjustment issues. Students may attend Academic Success or Choosing a Major Workshops as well as take advantage of walk-in advising services.

8. Army ROTC • Growth: Increased enrollment from 60 to 95 Cadets in last two years • Increased scholarships (FY07 - $500,000 to FY09 - $810,000) • National Recognition: Only ROTC program in the nation, to exceed the Cadet Command averages in all areas • Class of 2009 - 2nd in nation in overall “Excellence” ratings, 11th in Rifle Marksmanship, and 28th in Physical Fitness • 2007-2008 - Three nationally competitive scholarship and award recipients • Integral Part of the OU Campus Life and Athens Community: • Ceremonial Cannon and Color Guard at athletic events and university ceremonies • Sponsorship of Heroes Day, Bobcat Blitz, and Athens Marathon • Community Outreach - Appalachian Reads Program, Good Works Walk for the Homeless

9. Air Force ROTC • AFROTC PROVIDES AN “EXAMPLE OF EXCELLENCE” • Students with high GPAs in technical career fields [engineering, physics, and meteorology] from across thecountry develop a strong sense of community • #2 of 144 units in AFROTC for annual awards • #1 of 36 units in NE Region for field training results • Community involvement over 1000+ hours per year • AF Program Review: “Outstanding” Training; “Excellent” Education

10. Degree Programs • Bachelor of Specialized Studies: Established in 1970, the Bachelor of Specialized Studies (BSS) was the second individualized degree program offered in the country.The BSS degree allows students to design an interdisciplinary, individualized area of concentration or "major" that matches their educational and career goals.Most BSS students complete an internship related to their area of concentration.Over 5000 graduates of Ohio University hold BSS degrees; approximately 300 students apply to the program each year. • Bachelor of Criminal Justice: The BCJ degree is offered to students on the Athens campus and all regional campuses, as well as through Distance Learning. • Associate Degrees: Academic options are available for students on the Athens and regional campuses who wish to earn an Associate in Science degree, and Associate in Arts (social science or humanities emphasis), and the Associate in Individualized Studies degree.

11. Next Step... • WHAT TO DO TO PREPARE FOR YOUR OHIO UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE... • Continue to challenge yourself academically. Take rigorous courses, such as AP courses and advanced mathematics. • Reading is essential to success not only in college but in life. Read not only for your classes but also for fun! • Learning to read and speak a foreign language is an essential skill in a global economy. Complete at least 3 years of the same foreign language in high school. • Pay attention to due dates, emails, and letters from us. We want you to get the best start possible!

12. Visit www.ohio.edu/univcollegeto learn more about University College University College Laying the Foundation for Student Success