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K-State First. The university’s first-year experience program Built on the philosophy that “ A great college experience starts with a great first year ”. Key Components. First-Year Seminars (83, with ~1,650 seats ) Learning Communities (25, with ~500 seats )
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K-State First • The university’s first-year experience program • Built on the philosophy that “A great college experience starts with a great first year”
Key Components • First-Year Seminars (83, with ~1,650 seats) • Learning Communities (25, with ~500 seats) • KSBN: K-State Book Network • GPS: Guide to Personal Success • Also: advocacy for first-year students, campus-wide connections, assessment, and more
FYSCourse Characteristics • 22 or fewer students, all first years • Common outcomes: communication, critical thinking, application of learning, and community building • Benefits: small class sizes, ample opportunities to interact with teachers and other students, excellent teachers, active learning co-curricular events
FYS Course Listing For Fall 2014: 60 sections • A variety of offerings in the arts & humanities, the social sciences, and natural sciences. Something for everyone! • Some great courses to consider: • MLANG 280 War & the Holocaust in 20th C Lit • ENVD 210 Art, Architecture, & Culture of India • HMD 120 Survey of the Hospitality Industry • ENTOM 301 Insects and People
How to Enroll in a FYS • Seats will become available gradually throughout June Orientation and Enrollment. • Please enroll students in any available spot. • If you’d really like to enroll a student in a section that appears closed for that day, please contact Greg. • Contact us: email kstatefirst@k-state.edu or call Greg at 785-320-1221 or at 532-7803 (June O&E only).
CAT Communities • Learning communities of 22 first-year students • Built around a common student interest • The cohort take together two regular courses plus a one-hour CAT (Connecting Across Topics) Class • Each learning community has an undergraduate Learning Assistant to assist the instructor
CAT Communities for 2014 For Fall 2014: 25 CAT Communities • A variety of learning communities • Most are focused on gen ed course connections • But some emphasize … • Pre-professional interests and goals • An added residence life experience (with a year-long peer mentor!) • A once-in-a-lifetime study abroad opportunity (with scholarships available!)
How to Enroll in a CAT Community • Students may already be enrolled before orientation, if they have signed up early. • When meeting with a student who is interested but not yet signed up, make sure the courses fit the student’s schedule and contact Greg. • Best bet during June Orientation & Enrollment: email kstatefirst@k-state.edu or call Greg at 785-320-1221. • You may also call 532-7803 or send the student to our K-State First center in the Union Stateroom.
KSBN • K-State Book Network • University-wide common reading program • All first-year students will read the book • Whole campus community will be invited to read the book and join the network • Benefits of a common reading program
KSBN’s 2014 Book The Ghost Map The Ghost Map is a riveting historical illustration of the intertwined histories of cholera, cities, and modern scientific inquiry. Yet the ideas and lessons in The Ghost Map are not simply about the nineteenth-century but also about our own contemporary problems from urban sprawl to bioterrorism and much more.
KSBN: Books & Events • First-year students will get their copies at orientation • Copies will be also be available for purchase at the K-State Union Bookstore, for borrowing through Hale and the Sigma Tau Delta lending library • Watch for the events & discussions in the fall • Already scheduled: An evening with author Steven Johnson (Sept 11), a campus-wide game, a faculty lecture series, and much more • Please talk with students about the book and encourage them to join the discussions and events
Reminders & thank you! • Check the website www.k-state.edu/first for up-to-date information and course listings • Please recommend the FYS courses and CAT Communities to your first-year advisees • Please enroll each student in only one FYS or CAT Community • If you have questions, problems, or unique circumstances, please call Greg (785-320-1221) anytime. We want to help.