First Year Studies

A. Learning Community Clusters

 Slippery Rock offers first year students an opportunity to enroll in a "learning community cluster" during their first semester on campus. In learning community clusters, students experience a deeper understadning and integration of the material they are learning and more interaction with one antoher and their instructors.

 Students travel together through a cluster of courses and participate in a collaborative learning groups wich enable them to develop a community of supporttive peers. Learning communities help bond students to the broader social life of te institution, which also engaging them more fully in the academic experiences of the University. Our learning communities promote active learning and foster collaboration and cooperation. Learning community students are higher achievers and more involved in their classes. The students are better able to integrate the material and discover meanignful applicatino sof their courses. By enhancing the student's sense of community and involovement, learning community clusters contribute to higher levels of students academic and social integration.

 Once enrolled in a learning community cluster, students must seek the approval of the Advisement Center staff, 106 Bailey Library, (724)728-2009, to drop from a cluster. Single courses within the cluster cannot be dropped.

B. FYRST Seminar

 The FYRST Seminar is a one credit hour course designed especially and exclusively to assist frist year students in their adjustment to college life at Slippery Rock University. The FYRST Seminar provides students with an opportunity to become integrated into the University's community of learners by exploring the purpose and value of higher education, participating in the teaching/ learning process, addressing academic and social transition issues, utilizing campus programs, services, and technology, and developing academic skills and learning strategies during the student's first semester at Slippery Rock University. the credit earned in this course counts for graduation requirements (1 credit).

*FYRST Advising Program

The mission of the FYRST Advising Program is to personalize the first year by ensuring that, as a student, you receive a high standard of academic advising from pre-enrollment to orientation, and throughout your first year. The FYRST Advising Program will provide assistance that will help you to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to select an academic program or major that best suits your individual abilities, interests and career goals.  During your enrollment in FYRST, you will develop a more thorough understanding of your own purpose and goals in college as well as those of the University.

In order to progress satisfactorily through a degree program, you must have available not only accurate information about requirements and procedures, tailored to individual educational needs, but also a knowledgeable, caring advisor capable of guiding you toward meeting your educational and career objectives.

The faculty and staff of FYRST believe that students succeed academically by developing sound learning and success strategies and attitudes in a challenging curricular environment.

*FYRST goals

FYRST students will gain the following:

• A sound introduction to the expectations of higher education and to attitudes that will be helpful in their adjustment to the University;
• Accurate, timely, and courteous responses to their questions about University procedures, resources, and programs;
• Clear and accurate information regarding academic programs and how to formulate and personalize their own baccalaureate degree;
• A clear understanding of both their individual rights and responsibilities and those of the Institution;
• Belief that their academic advisors are willing to discuss with them any matter affecting their academic work;
• An appreciation for the value that a college degree has to personal growth, career opportunities, and community obligation.

    *Structure of FYRST Advising

Declared FYRST Students:

If you have declared your major field of study you will be assigned a FYRST advisor from your major department.  Faculty from each academic department have been identified as FYRST advisors.

FYRST Exploratory Students:

If you are exploring major program options you will participate in the Exploratory Program.  Advisors from various academic departments volunteer their time to advise students in the Exploratory Program.  Each academic department has identified at least one FYRST Exploratory Advisor.