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University 1: first impressions count

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First-year students at California State University, Fresno, whether entering freshmen or community college transfers, encounter a new and complicated world. The first year, for better or worse, lays the foundation for their undergraduate years. It encompasses the hopes, dreams, and expectations that students hold leading to successful lives as students and citizens. It forms a very real interpretation of the academic world and a new understanding of what an institution of higher learning is.

National statistics indicate that about 40 percent of entering college students will leave the higher education system without ever earning any type of college degree. Attrition rates are increasingly high, and the public cry for accountability is fueled by a continuing decline in public trust. Higher education literature is replete with statistics attempting to explain this phenomenon and to describe the vast differences between today's students and those of previous generations. A complex set of social and educational factors combines to create this situation.

A recent edition of the American Association for Higher Education Bulletin underscores particular problem areas:

• The overall preparation of students remains at a relatively low level, both in absolute terms and by international comparison.
• An increasing number of public two- and four-year colleges offer remedial programs.
• Only one-third of college freshmen report studying six or more hours per week during their senior year in high school. In fact, the average student studied only three or four hours per week, an all-time low.

At the same time,

• Freshmen increasingly overestimate their academic abilities, rating themselves "above average" in virtually all subject matter areas.
• A national poll of high school students showed that only 25 percent believed that creative ideas and solutions were important, 33 percent said the same of historical, cultural, and philosophical backgrounds of current problems, and less than 40 percent felt that the ability to write well was extremely important.
• A great deal of academic disengagement exists. Students frequently report being "bored in class" and find many disciplines of little use.

The disengagement of students that we seem to be facing is one that affects many students. They simply do not see the relevance of academic learning. Even students who are adept at playing the education game tend to separate formal learning from "real life." Fresno State's University 1 course addresses this problem by providing a context for student learning.

The course also provides skill development at an appropriate time in the student's experience. As we teach students the skills they need to succeed in higher education, we also make sure that there is an immediate related task in the "real world." This changes the focus of learning from an accumulation of unrelated facts to a focus on skills and experiences that are relevant in the outside world.

Information competence, library skills, critical thinking and writing are today more essential than ever before. University 1 focuses on these core skill areas and presents strategies for keeping ahead academically and working effectively.

How does it meet unit requirements?

University 1 awards three units of elective credits that can be applied toward graduation requirements in most majors. Core content areas include academic planning and study skills, library and campus resources, information competence, career planning, diversity, health and wellness, ethics and responsibility, and lifelong learning.

The University 1 Website (http:/www.csufresno.edu/universityone) contains online course information, instructional supplements, a student handbook, and a continuingly evolving set of modules for interactive student activities.

What are the benefits?

The benefits of University 1 are multiple.

A well-established body of research shows that freshman orientation programs promote student retention and achievement, especially when offered as a full-semester academic course for entering students.

For academic departments, an increased retention rate results in more students

available to enter the major and to enroll in major program courses. This translates to increased FTES for departments and a larger pool of potential graduate students. University 1 can also provide a sense of rejuvenation for many faculty, and the opportunity to interact with new students is particularly refreshing. These are benefits which contribute to departmental growth.

Benefits to students include increased academic skills, an enlarged group of colleagues, and greater access to scholarships, campus activities, etc. Special interaction with faculty and staff provides a broader perspective on higher education. Less time to degree translates to a higher income level at an earlier date, and lower student debt.

University 1 is an important vehicle to increase student persistence at the university, to strengthen graduation rates, and to enhance the quality of student life. The institution has committed itself to provide this program as a firm foundation for the academic experience. We invite both faculty and students to join us as we strive for excellence and for the rewards that academic life can provide.