thomas f. patterson, jr. university of vermont tpatters@uvm.edu

FYE – First Year Experience

Thomas F. Patterson, Jr.University of Vermont

tpatters@uvm.edu

But, first… some questions about the United States of America

How many stars and stripes in the USA flag?

50 stars and 13 stripes

What is the 4th of July?

Independence DayCommemorating the adoption of the Declaration of

Independence on July 4, 1776

What’s the national anthem of the USA?

The Star-Spangled Banner

What are the two major political parties of the USA?

Republicans Democrats

Which political party currently dominates the US House of Representatives?

193 Democrats

232 Republicans

Which political party currently dominates the US Senate?

51 Democrats

47 Republicans

2 Independents

Who is the only truly independent US Senator?

Bernie Sanders

What State is Bernie Sanders from?

Vermont

Where’s Vermont?

Vermont

“More than any other American state, Vermont has worked to preserve those qualities that make it unique," such as scenic countryside, lively small towns, historic streetscapes, local businesses.

For sustainable destinations, the NGS ranked Vermont fifth in the world and first in the US.

2009 National Geographic Society

What is the State of Vermont the highest producer of?

What is the capital of Vermont?

Montpelier

What is Montpelier famous for?

Burlington, the largest city in Vermont, is known for what famous ice cream?

One of the ten “Best Cities for the Next Decade” -- 2010 Kiplinger Personal Finance

#2 “Best College Town” in the US --2010 MSN #1 “Healthiest Place for Women” -- 2009 SELF #1 “Place to Raise a Family -- 2009 Children’s Health “Top City to Raise a Family: --2009 National Geographic

Adventure #2 “Greenest Small City in America” – 2008 Organic Gardening One of the “Best Places to Raise Your Kids” – 2008 Business

Week “Best Green Place to Live in America” – 2007 Country Home One of the “Best Places to Retire” in America – 2007

CNNMoney.com, and Winner “Best Town” competition in Burba.com -- 2007

Burlington, Vermont

The University of Vermont is located in Burlington

The University of Vermont is commonly known as UVM.

What does UVM stand for?

Universitas Virdis Montis

OK, what does Universitas Virdis Montis stand for?

University of the Green Mountains

One of the nation’s Top and Up-Coming Schools, institutions that “are worth watching because they are making promising and innovative changes” -- US News and World Report

A “top public university for placing grads in the best medical, law and business schools” – The Wall Street Journal

A “top school for high salary grads” – Business Week Among the 20 Coolest Schools in the US for “commitment to the

environment” – Sierra Magazine One of the nation’s best colleges for fostering social

responsibility and public service – The Princeton Review Among the top 10 schools for fitness – Men’s Fitness A lead role in the growing national appeal of public universities

for out-of-state students – USA Today, and There could hardly be a more appealing place than UVM - Fisk

Guide to Colleges

UVM

Seven Academic Colleges and Schools An Honors College A Medical School A Graduate School An Adult Continuing Education College An Extension Program

UVM Structure

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences College of Arts and Sciences College of Education and Social Services College of Engineering and Mathematical

Sciences College of Nursing and Health Sciences School of Environment and Natural

Resources School of Business Administration

UVM Academic Colleges and Schools

Animal Science Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Nutrition and Food Sciences Plant Biology Plant and Social Science Community Development and Applied

Economics

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Departments

Self Designed Cross College Programs

◦ Biochemistry◦ Biological Science◦ Environmental Sciences◦ Environmental Studies

Additional CALS Undergraduate Majors

At University:

◦ You don’t have to go to class.◦ You need to manage your time.◦ You need to study more.◦ The reading load is heavier and tougher.◦ Taking notes is more difficult.◦ You won’t be reminded of deadlines and tests.◦ There are no As for efforts.◦ Your parents won’t be able to help much.◦ Help is available, but you have to seek it out.◦ You need to balance work and play.◦ You need to develop new relationships and eat new food.◦ Discipline problems are not tolerated, and◦ You choose your major and some classes.

What is the academic difference between High School and University ,

anyway?

FYE – First Year Experience.What should be the goals?

Help First-Year Students make the transition from high school to college

Facilitate First-Year Students to develop intellectual and social engagement

Ultimately, increase student retention rates

Three Major UVM FYE Goals

All First-Year Students enrolled in CALS take two 3 credit Foundations courses their first year.

Fall Semester: CALS 001 -- Foundations: Communication Methods

Spring Semester:CALS 002 -- Foundations: Informational Technology

CALS FYE Program

How CALS 001 helps to meet the FYE goals:

Help FY students to make the transition from high school to college

Promote First-Year Students to develop intellectual and social engagement

Ultimately increase student retention rates

CALS 001 -- Foundations: Communication Methods

Structure of class: Lecture and Lab Instructors: Senior Lecturer and upper-class TAs Lectures on UVM organization, help systems, time

management, plagiarism, group behavior. Credit for:

◦ Joining a club or group◦ Meeting with their faculty advisor twice the semester◦ Writing two learning reflections a week on Blackboard◦ Completing a library exercise◦ Outside speech critique paper, edited by lab colleague◦ Critiques, attendance and attitude◦ Midterm and final exam

CALS 001 -- Foundations: Communication Methods

Oral Communication (General Education Skills)◦ Class Introduction◦ Group Presentation

Critical analysis of 2 articles◦ Individual Presentations

Impromptu Informational Persuasive Choice

◦ Reflection Papers

CALS 001 -- Foundations: Communication Methods

Get to know themselves better by creating, giving and reflecting on their ‘passionate’ oral presentations

Get to know a group of CALS FY students well, through giving and critiquing oral presentations

Do and learn about important things that will help them make the transition to higher education

Learn through reflection on experience Develop the transferable general education skills of

oral communication that serve them in future classes and after graduation, and

Often seek important academic and personal advice from Upper-Class TAs

CALS 001First –Year Students:

Thomas F. Patterson, Jr.Senior LecturerUniversity of VermontBurlington, VT 05401tpatters@uvm.edu