Programs get students off to a strong start

The 1,800 members of the Class of 2009 who began their UD careers as participants in the LIFE (Learning Integrated Freshman Experience) program represented about half of this year’s freshman class.

But, although students new to the University this year were required to take part in a specialized First Year Experience (FYE), LIFE was only one of four programs in which they could participate.

About 1,100 of the freshmen instead attended discipline-specific First Year Seminars, where they learned what to expect of their chosen academic majors or careers. Another 500 or so freshmen entered the University Honors program, while about 200 enrolled in Pathways courses.

Each of the four programs that fulfill the new FYE participation requirement has its own benefits, Meghan Biery, program coordinator, says.

“Being one of approximately 3,500 freshmen is daunting to students who come from a small high school,” says Martha Carothers, associate director of the Office of Undergraduate Studies. “We organized the FYE for each major so freshmen have something intended for them as an individual.”

“The FYE program helps all new students to make a successful transition to University life and to establish a strong identity as a member of the University community,” Provost Dan Rich says. “It also demonstrates the entire University community’s commitment to the success of our new students.”

First Year Seminars at UD are special one-credit courses for new students designed to enhance their academic and social integration into the University. They are offered in numerous departments, from plant and soil sciences to art conservation, and in most undergraduate colleges. Seminars combine an introduction to the academic subject with information about University resources and policies.

The First Year Seminar in art conservation, for example, exposes students to Winterthur Museum and a variety of art conservation projects, while also introducing them to such academic skills as conducting research.

Another FYE is designed for students entering the Honors Program, whose goal is to nurture a community of scholars committed to intellectual pursuit, through challenging classroom experiences and enriching outside experiences. In honors courses, which generally emphasize interdisciplinary study, students are expected to be active in their own learning.The remaining FYE program is Pathways, in which interdisciplinary courses provide integrated academic experiences for new students. The courses are thematic, with such titles as “Seeing and Being in a Visual World” in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies.

All the FYE programs are part of the University’s general education initiative. The LIFE and Pathways programs have been offered on a smaller scale since 2000. John Courtright, director of the Office of Undergraduate Studies and of the Honors Program, says the programs are valuable.

“While they were being piloted, the University collected evidence that participating freshmen socialized more readily and enjoyed their college experience more, and their grades were higher,” he says. Courtright says the next few years will see refinements to the program as administrators assess and fine-tune it.