Georgia Southern University
Success In U: The First Year Student Residential Learning Community
Address: P.O. Box 8105
City: Statesboro
State: GA
Zip or Postal Code: 30460
Country: USA
Program Director (or best person to contact): Academic Enhancement Coordinator for University Housing
Email: Housing@Gasou.edu
Phone: 912-681-5406
Fax: 912-871-1274
Web Address: http://www.aux.gasou.edu/housing/index.htm
Brief Program Summary
Success In U is a first year student residential experience.
The 400 co-ed students that participate in this program are housed in one residence hall.
Success in U offers programs and resources that focus on first year student issues and needs.
These services include reserved classes where students take the freshman seminar and
another core curriculum with other student from the hall to give easy access to study partners
and study groups. The residence hall features a 19 station data connected computer
room in the main lobby and across the hall is a tutoring center where Math & English
tutoring is available Sunday-Thrusday during the evening hours. The residence hall staff is increased
in this building with 12 Resident Advisors, 1 full time Hall Director and four Peer Ambassadors (assist with
academic programming) to give more individual attention to freshman and their needs.
Sources of funding
Student Technology Fee
State E & G Funding
University Housing Student Activity Accounts
Program Reports To:
Are students charged an additional fee: No
The number of persons in each of the following categories are teaching academic credit bearing courses
Fulltime Tenured Faculty: 0
Fulltime Probationary Faculty: 0
Fulltime Instructors: 0
Fulltime Retired Faculty: 0
Fulltime Adjunct Faculty: 0
Fulltime Graduate Students: 0
Fulltime Residence Hall Staff: 17
Parttime Tenured Faculty: 0
Parttime Probationary Faculty: 0
Parttime Instructors: 35
Parttime Retired Faculty: 0
Parttime Adjunct Faculty: 0
Parttime Graduate Students: 1
Parttime Residence Hall Staff: 2
Academic staff involved in the program that weren't included as faculty above
(Academic staff are personnel who are involved in providing academic services to students such as advising.)
Fulltime Academic Staff: 0
Parttime Academic Staff: 10
Non-academic staff involved in the program
(Non-academic staff are personnel who are involved in providing services that do not directly involve academics such as residence hall staff or staff who organize social activities that are not tied to academics.)
Fulltime Non-Academic Staff: 0
Parttime Non-Academic Staff: 10
Number of faculty offices in the residence hall: 1
The approximate percentage of students in each grade level
First Year: 85
Second Year: 15
Third Year: 0
Fourth Year and above: 0
Graduate Students: 0
Total Number of Students: 400
Year the Program Began:1990
Academic Courses Offered In The Community
University Orientation I 2 credits Mandatory
Core Curriculum Courses 3 credits (SIU student required to take 1 each semester)
English Composition I &/or II
College Algebra
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
History of Art
Intro to Music
U.S. History
Western Civilization
Other Academic Offerings
Tutoring in Math & English
Pre-Advisement sessions
Peer Ambassadors (student staff working with academic programming)
Academic Enhancement Coordinator for University Housing
programs on study skills, time management, test taking, etc.
Classrooms in hall
Summary of Facilities and Facilities Budget See above
Computer Resources in the Residence Hall
19 station data connected Computer lab with word processing, Netscape,
Eudora, Pine, etc.
The Role of Community Partnerships
Students are required to participate in a staff sponsored community
service project. Project is planned through Hall Action Team.
The Role of Leadership Development
Students are encouraged to participate in Hall Action Team,
President's Council (RHA) or Residence Hall Judical Board.
The Role of Research
Institutional Research looks at GPAs, hours attempted, hours earned once a semester.
Focus groups are held once a semester by University Housing Administration.
Summary of Assessment Activities
Quality of Life Survey
Summary of Extracurricular Activities Formally Associated with the Program
Social programming, Intramural teams and community service projects.
The Role of Interdisciplinary Studies
None
How Diversity Issues are Addressed in the Program and in Courses
Residence Life programming
How Diversity Issues are Addressed Among Faculty and Students
Residence Life programming
Student Demographics
traditional first year students fresh out of high school
30% african american
2nd generation college students
data is estimated
Faculty Rewards for Participation in the Program
Release Time:
Salary Supplement:
Travel Funds:
Other: yes
Description of Other Rewards
appreciation certificates
Disciplines Represented by the Faculty
See courses listed above
Willing to Serve as a Consultant:
Yes
Greatest Challenges for this Learning Community:
Faculty Involvement
Suggested Bibliography