FYE sucess brings freshmen to campus

September 17th, 2007 by Erica Bradley

The First Year Experience (FYE) program has contributed to increased enrollment despite years of downward trends.   

According to program director Derek Lopez this year’s freshmen enrollment was 627 which is considered flat enrollment, but there were 200 fewer applicants which made the conversation rate for this year better than last year’s rate.

Lopez said the conversion rate for freshmen last year was 37 percent. This year’s rate was 44 percent.

“What we’re doing is making more apple pies with fewer apples,” Lopez said.

 Lopez attributes the rise to increased efforts to attract and retain freshmen.

The FYE program currently has eight advisors in the First Year Student Center. The center is located on the second floor of the library.

The advisors went to high schools to advise students early in the application process. Students appreciated having early contact with their advisors, Lopez said. 

Over the summer a lot of one-on-one attention was given to students.  FYE staff called students several times. This made it possible to work out all financial aid, academic and other issues over the phone. 

The process will be repeated next year because it was so successful this year. Students and their parents appreciated having direct contact with their advisors, Lopez said.

Orientation was held in August.  It lasted two hours and included meeting with an advisor to get a schedule and a question and answer session with current students. Three sessions were held each day three days in a row.

Lopez said the format worked well, but they will space the sessions out next year.

“We are doing an excellent job of getting people in the door. Now we need to keep them in.”

FYE encompasses every aspect of the freshmen experience.

The FYE course (US 101) has 21 different offerings and 266 freshmen are enrolled. It is optional for freshmen to enroll in the one credit hour class.

Lopez said that it is an extended orientation and teaches students life skills, college survival skills and global awareness.

The requirements for US 101 were created by the instructors of the course.

Assignments include giving a speech about community or campus resource, keeping journals which allow students to reflect on personal experiences and time management activities, said Jason Saphara, lecturer in the English department.

Students are also required to go to campus events. Basic skills like e-mail and blackboard use are also incorporated, Saphara said.

US 101 is tied to developmental math, reading and English. Faculty teaching these courses work together to help students succeed.

US 101 will be offered during the spring semester, but it will not be in as many offerings, Lopez said.

Next year the course may see some changes. Lopez said that the course may turn into a one month, twice a week class.

Nothing has been decided yet.

Saphara said the course, “Helps students connect and find their place on campus.”

“I totally wish I had been able to take it when I was a freshman because I didn’t know how to use the library or where some of the buildings were. I had no idea what some of the resources were,” said 23-year-old senior English major Jenny Dunnington.      

FYE also encompasses campus housing. Residential Learning Communities (RLC) will bring students together in Belmont Residence Hall.

Incoming freshmen are given the option to sign a contract when registering for classes. The Four Year Incentive Plan guarantees that freshmen will receive a refund of a semester of tuition if they complete their degree in four years. It is an optional contract.

So far 68 percent of incoming freshmen have signed the contract, Lopez said.

Those that did not sign were not planning to stay or they were not Colo residents. Only residents can sign the contract, Lopez said.

According to Lopez the incentive helps keep four year retention rates up.  

“Our ultimate goal is to help freshmen succeed. If they’re successful then we’re successful,” Lopez said.

A lot of work, time and dedication was put into the program from everyone in our office, and it’s nice to see it paying off, Lopez said.

FYE staff was not the only ones involved in the success of the program. Lopez said all academic departments, the Hasan School of Business, student life, student support services and auxiliary services played a role in making FYE successful.

Lopez added, “They have all been great to work with.”

Posted in News