First Year Experience Program
Proposal
October 11, 2012
Background
In the spring 2012, Keith Snow-Flamer (Vice-President of Student Development) charged the First-Year
Experience Committee with the task to develop the framework for a yearlong First Year Experience
Program, develop a mission statement and objectives, an assessment plan and a budget suitable for the
implementation of the program. Committee Members included: Lisa Liken, Brady Reed, Geisce Ly,
Anita Janis, Tracy Thomas, Rachel Anderson, Juana Tabares.
In order to accomplish these aims, the committee: researched existing FYE programs at community
colleges across the country; reviewed existing resources at College of the Redwoods that could be
integrated into the FYE program; evaluated relevant data that supports the need for an FYE program; and
the committee created an outline of the guiding components for the FYE program at CR. The FYE
committee found the following:
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The common components of FYE programs include: orientation, Freshman Seminar courses,
learning communities, academic advising, career exploration, and non-academic activities.
General Studies 6 (First Year Experience) has been offered at College of the Redwoods since fall
2010.
Math Jam courses (Math review courses) are offered during the summer for students who want to
review and re-test to place into a higher level math than what they initially placed in through the
Accuplacer Placement Test.
The Institutional Research department has compiled persistence and retention data that will be
used to support FYE assessment and development.
Framework
The First Year Experience program (FYE) is a student centered program intended to aid first-year,
degree-seeking students in their transition to College of the Redwoods, to expose students to the broad
range of educational opportunities, and to integrate new students into the college community in order to
enrich their first year experience.
The goals of the program are to:
1. Identify and overcome obstacles that impede the success of first-year students;
2. Ensure students identify their education goal and a plan for completion prior to registration;
3. Provide academic and “soft skills” developmental activities and essential support programs for
first-year students;
4. Collaborate with the campus community to assist first-year students in achieving academic and
personal success and integration into the learning community; and
5. Increase retention, persistence, and degree completion rates.
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Program Objectives
Help students make a smooth and successful transition from high school
to college.
To increase and ensure the success of at-risk and basic skills students
during their first year.
Help students understand the "non-cognitive, soft, character-type skills"
needed to be successful in the college environment.
Target Population
Program components:
FYE Learning Communities
Bring faculty, counselors, advisors, and staff together to help students
succeed in the pursuit of their educational and career goals.
First time college students who placed into English 350
First time college students who placed into Math 380.
Re-designed New Student Orientation that is required of all first time,
full time students.
New Student Welcome/BBQ (August)
Mandatory First Year Counseling and SEP development
Success Partner Program (mentors)
First year seminar course (GS 6)
Learning communities (Cohorts)
Early alert and intervention
Workshops
Student Tracking
Summer bridge program
First Semester:
2 English 350 courses each linked to a GS 6 course
1 Math 380 course linked to a GS 6 course
HE-1 course linked to GS-6
Second Semester:
English 150 course linked to a HE 1 course
Math 120 course linked to an Art 2 course
FYE Workshops
Study skills
Time management
Financial aid literacy
Career exploration
Stress management
Note taking
How to study for exams
Essay writing
Team building
Student panel
Panel of local business people
FYE Services
Assigned academic advisor
FYE learning communities
Social activities
Mentors & tutors
Field trips to local sites
Faculty Incentives
Guaranteed seat in English and Math
Linked courses
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Students stay together
Faculty Collaboration
* Common Themes
* Complementary assignments or projects
Imbedded advisor
Supplemental Instruction
Resources Needed
Counselor, advisor, faculty
Funding
Peer mentors and tutors
Tutor supervisor
Courses
FYE website
Program coordinator
Early alert system
Supplemental instruction
To facilitate evaluation and redesign, the committee divided the FYE program into three phases of the
first year: (1) pre-arrival, which includes everything from when the student applies to College of the
Redwoods to the first day of class; (2) first semester, which includes students adjusting to college life and
completing their Student Education Plan; and (3) second semester, students enroll in their designated
learning communities and complete their English and Math basic courses and are prepared for college
level English and Math.
Budget
The committee estimates that the FYE program would cost approximately $49,316. This includes:
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$20,160 for Mentor/Tutor Supervisor
$10,752 for (3) Tutors
$8,404 for (3) Mentors
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$2,000 for Supplies
$1,000 Program Give-a ways (t-shirts, etc.)
$2,500 End of semester celebration (2)
$2,500 Mid-semester activity (2)
$1,000 for Mendocino Activities
$1,000 for Del Norte Activities
The above estimate includes the assumption that Jennifer Bailey (Student Development Advising
Coordinator) would assume the position of FYE program coordinator.
Assessment Plan
The overarching goal of the FYE program is student success. For the purposes of measuring program
effectiveness, student success will be measured by:
1. Persistence: Overall student persistence rates from first to second semester will be used to assess
the immediate impact of the FYE.
2. Retention: Student retention rates from first to second year will be used to measure long-term
impact of FYE on retention.
3. Academic Success: Student academic success and progress toward degree completion. Grade
point average, units earned, and percentage of degree completion will be used to assess impact on
academic success.
4. Personal Growth: The FYE will promote student engagement in activities that will facilitate
intellectual and personal growth.
An FYE pre-post survey will provide assessment for the FYE learning objectives. The steering
committee will assess the program at the end of each semester for the first year. The evaluation will
include assessing the following PLO’s and SLO’s:
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PLO: Students will have a SEP completed by the end of the first semester in the program.
SLO: Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of college services and programs.
SLO: Students will gain a basic understanding of their degree requirements.
SLO: Students will gain a sense of connectedness to their college community.
PLO: Students will persist from first semester to second semester and return for their second year.
Next Steps
 Inclusion of program needs in Counseling/Advising Program Review
 Basic Skills Committee Review and Feedback
 Enrollment Management and Student Equity Planning Committee Review
 Cabinet Approval
 Appointment of Steering Committee:
o Chair: Jennifer Bailey (Coordinator of Advising)
o Academic Senate Appointees: Counselor, math faculty; English faculty, Librarian
o Basic Skills Committee Representative
o Enrollment Services Representative
o DSPS Representative
o Academic Dean Representative
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