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From 0 to 60+: Revving up FYE at Warp Speed

From 0 to 60+: Revving up FYE at Warp Speed. Nancy Casey Mary Piccioli Ann Lehman St. Bonaventure University. ~ Live ~ Learn ~ Serve ~ Lead. Framework for Discussion. Who we are Where we were What we did What happened Why. SBU at a Glance.

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From 0 to 60+: Revving up FYE at Warp Speed

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  1. From 0 to 60+: Revving up FYE at Warp Speed Nancy Casey Mary Piccioli Ann Lehman St. Bonaventure University ~ Live ~ Learn ~ Serve ~ Lead

  2. Framework for Discussion • Who we are • Where we were • What we did • What happened • Why St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  3. SBU at a Glance • A Catholic University in the Franciscan tradition • A highly residential campus, located in Western New York state • 2,000 undergraduates/500 graduate students • Liberal arts core, majors in arts and sciences, as well as strong professional preparation in education, business and journalism/mass communication “At St. Bonaventure University, we come to know our students on an individual basis and become their mentors. We strive to bring out the best in every individual. “ St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  4. January 2006Where We Were • Lower than desired enrollment • A dip in retention rates • Several ad hoc groups, individuals and committees were discussing and researching on freshman issues, resulting in tentative and not-so-tentative suggestions for change from multiple individuals and committees across campus • An “invitation” from the Provost to design living and learning structures for freshmen St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  5. What Was In Place? • 20 years’ experience with multiple versions of freshman seminars • “Required” UNIV 101 (freshman seminar) in two schools • Peer mentors in two of five schools • Passion: Many faculty and staff who were committed to doing something for freshman • Finally, “buy-in” from the University Strategic Planning Committee and cabinet St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  6. What We Did…and What We Learned • We rolled up our sleeves and dove in head first • Gathered those who had been passionate about the issues • We listed our dreams and visions • We identified the “must dos” for fall 2006 • And we learned… St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  7. FIRST: It Takes A Campus… • The FYE @ SBU initiative was a result of an unprecedented campus-wide collaboration, involving more than 60 individuals from all areas of the University: • Administration • Faculty • Staff • Students St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  8. SECOND: It COULD Be DoneMoving at Warp Speed St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  9. THIRD: It’s All about Conversations We talked …. and we talked … and we talked… and then we talked! You must originate, and you must sympathize; you must possess, at the same time, the habit of communicating and the habit of listening. The union is rather rare, but irresistible. Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  10. We Talked … • With Faculty from all schools • Who taught freshmen courses • Who advised freshmen • Who were concerned with teaching and learning • With Staff • Who worked with freshmen in residence halls • Who provided academic support services • Who had regular contact with freshmen and their parents St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  11. We Talked… • With our Trustees • With the religious community • With individuals and committees wrestling with related issues St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  12. Most Importantly, We Talked with Students • The very first formal thing we did was to have focus groups of freshmen and sophomores • We explored orientation • We asked about their residential experiences • There were student members on all committees St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  13. Articulating the VISION: What Did We Dream? St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  14. What MUST We Have? What Would NOT work? St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  15. We Articulated Our Mission: FYE @ SBU The mission of the First-Year Experience program at St. Bonaventure Universityis to support students as they transition to University life and to promote success in academic and residential environments by providing integrated learning and living programming designed to engage them fully in the life of the University. St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  16. We Set FYE Goals • Improved student engagement • Improved student academic performance • Improved retention • Improved residence life experience • Increased Opportunities for Campus Community to be involved in Student Engagement St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  17. All Bona Reads Affinity Groups Learning Communities Clare & University 101 The First-Year Experience at SBU: 5 Major Components Freshman Residence Halls St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  18. Freshman Residence Halls Affinity Groups The Residence “Pieces” • “Original” Plans • Freshman-only residence halls • Opt-in affinity groups (themed living) • Alliance with Office of Residence Life • New training for residence life staff • FYE mentors • “Modifications and Additions” -- Fall ’06 • Freshman-focused weekend programming • FYE mentor role adjustments • Rethinking Affinity Groups St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  19. Learning Communities Clare & University 101 The Academic “Pieces” • “Original” Plans • Enroll all students in UNIV 101 • No freshman takes more than 1 “core curriculum” course • Learning Communities “lite” • All Bonaventure Reads • SBU Planner • “Modifications and Additions” -- fall ‘06 • New spring semester class for students on probation • FYE mentors holding study hall hours • FYE mentors providing supplemental instruction • Additional Learning Communities St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  20. All Bona Reads Common Reading “Piece” • Original Plans • Announce the book at Orientation • Video & Group discussion at Welcome Days • Author visit and talk • Use of the book in UNIV 101 St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  21. Acknowledging the Franciscan Commitment to Service • “Original” Plans • Plans for a Day of Service • Collaboration with on-campus service groups • A “local service” Affinity Group • “Modifications and Additions” -- fall ‘06 • Alliance with Journey Project to combine their First Year Service with FYE • Addition of service component to UNIV 101 St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  22. Assessment-Driven Action • We started with an assessment plan • We analyzed where we were • We developed a vision of where we wanted to be • We examined existing data • We set goals and identified data sources • We planned to use all available data • We designed some new research • And we focused on key principles St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  23. Results: Impact on Academic Achievement St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  24. Results: Learning Communities for Active and Collaborative Learning Data on affinity groups is identical…. St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  25. Results: Retention St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  26. Residence Life Goals • Increased programming • Increased positive living behaviors • Increased interaction between living and learning environments St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  27. Results: Residence Life • Freshman residence halls established • Noted decrease in • Alcohol-related incidents • Drug-related incidents • Property abuse/misuse • Interpersonal disrespect St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  28. What Next? Back to Dreams, Musts, Don’ts St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  29. Plans for 2nd Year • Development and assessment of additional components • Academics • Freshman Foundations • SERVICE • Formalize service activities in UNIV 101 • Offer service opportunities as a natural part of the freshman year • LEADERSHIP • Modifications to FYE mentor positions • Increased use of peer mentoring • SYE – The Sophomore Year Experience St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  30. Deeper Assessment: Additional Data Source • Ongoing faculty & staff research projects • The Biggest Problem • Parents’ Perceptions of The Biggest Problem • Student well-being • NSSE • CIRP • Focus: keeping our eyes wide open St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  31. The Most Important Thing We Learned: It Takes A Campus Good discourse sinks differences and seeks agreements. Amos Bronson Alcott St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  32. Conversation Was Key There is no such thing as a worthless conversation, provided you know what to listen for. And questions are the breath of life for a conversation. James Nathan Miller St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

  33. Contact Information Nancy Casey ~ ncasey@sbu.edu Mary Piccioli ~ mpicc@sbu.edu Ann Lehman ~ alehman@sbu.edu St. Bonaventure University LIVE ~ LEARN ~ SERVE ~ LEAD

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