New Student Experience
SLS 1122, Fall 2015, 3 Credits
Ann Heiny, M.S.
aheiny@valenciacollege.edu
407-582-1368
Office: 1-135
Office Hours:
Monday, 1-4:00pm
Tuesday, 10:00am-12:00pm
Thursday, 10:00am-12:00pm
Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm
Required Course Materials:
Valencia College New Student Handbook
(Provided at New Student Orientation)
Strengths Quest, by Donald O. Clifton &
Edward Anderson
ISBN: 978-1595620118
***BUY NEW ONLY to ensure access code
is intact
COURSE OVERVIEW:
New Student Experience is designed to help first-year students adjust to college, develop a
better understanding of the learning process, and acquire essential academic success skills. The
course provides a general orientation to the functions and resources of the college and also
provides a support group for students transitioning to college by examining issues common to
the first-year experience. Attaining an appropriate balance between personal freedom and
social responsibility underlies all New Student Experience activities.
CORE COMPETENCIES OF A VALENCIA GRADUATE:
Valencia’s Student Core Competencies are complex abilities that are essential to lifelong
success. This course will help you develop and demonstrate the abilities to 1) think clearly,
critically, and creatively; 2) communicate with others verbally and in written form; 3) make
reasoned value judgments ad responsible commitments; and 4) act purposefully, reflectively,
and responsibly.
MAJOR LEARNING OUTCOMES:
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Students will create a personal purpose statement that outlines and articulates their
values, goals, interests, and strengths in relations to their educational and career
aspirations.
Students will choose an academic program aligned with their educational/career goals,
interests, strengths, and values.
Syllabus and course calendar are subject to change. Revisions may be issued at the professor’s discretion.
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Students will design an education plan that includes goals for learning and a financial
plan.
Students will apply college success skills.
Students will demonstrate effective communication skills with diverse groups.
Students will demonstrate awareness of college support systems.
EMAIL:
Communication between the student and the college will occur through your official Valencia
College email address (student@mail.Valenciacollege.edu). It is your responsibility to check it
daily.
BLACKBOARD:
All assignments for SLS 1122 will be submitted in Blackboard. Consequently, it is essential to
your success that you familiarize yourself with Blackboard. Not knowing how to use it is not an
excuse to miss deadlines and appointments. Readings and announcements will be posted by
the professor as needed. Grades will also be posted in Blackboard on a regular basis. Please
allow at least one week for grading of individual assignments.
SYLLABUS CLAUSE AND CONTRACT:
This syllabus may be revised and adapted throughout the semester to better serve the needs of
the class. The professor may assign additional reading and/or assignments as needed.
Additionally, the student’s decision to remain in this class upon receipt of this syllabus serves as
the student’s acceptance of the syllabus as a binding contract, meaning they agree with the
terms set forth and the expectations of them as members of the class.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
The deadline to withdraw from this course without penalty to your grade and with a final grade
of “W” is November 13, 2015, 11:59pm. During a first or second attempt in the same course at
Valencia if you withdraw or are withdrawn by the professor you will receive a W (Withdrawn).
You will not receive credit for the course, and the W will not be calculated in your grade point
average; however, the enrollment will count in your total attempts in the specific course.
Syllabus and course calendar are subject to change. Revisions may be issued at the professor’s discretion.
CLASS PARTICIPATION & ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is a vital component of this course and will affect your class participation grade.
Participation in class discussion is expected and encouraged. Students are responsible for all
material presented when they are absent and also responsible for any announcements made in
class.
Students earn a possible 5 participation points for every class session. Failure to engage in class
activities may result in fewer points earned. Students who are more than 15 minutes late to
class will be counted absent and will earn 0 participation points.
In the event of an absence please inform your professor as soon as possible, just as you would
an employer. It is also suggested that you contact a classmate to obtain notes and updates
from the missed class session.
Students are expected to attend EVERY scheduled class meeting, to be on time, to be prepared,
and to remain in class for the entire duration unless prior permission has been given by the
instructor. Absences deduct from the total participation grade and can significantly lower a
final grade. More than three (3) absences could result in being withdrawn from the course.
ACADEMIC ADVISING:
New Student Experience (NSE) faculty will provide ongoing academic advising to students
through in-classroom activities and out-of-classroom appointments. NSE faculty may be
consulted by students throughout their first year at Valencia and should be considered
students’ go-to source of information. Faculty may refer to additional experts across the
Valencia campus community, depending on students’ needs.
MANDATORY ASSIGNMENTS:
Students are required to submit six (6) “mandatory” assignments, without which they will
receive an F in the course regardless of point total. These 6 assignments are:
 Purpose Paper
 (3) Co-curricular reflections
 My Education Plan
 Final Story Project (FINAL EXAM), including Final Story Planning Document
Syllabus and course calendar are subject to change. Revisions may be issued at the professor’s discretion.
ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION:
Assignments are to be submitted by the start of the class session, via Blackboard, unless
otherwise specified. They are to be typed in a 12-point font.
MAKEUP/LATE WORK:
All assignments must be received by the published due date to receive full credit. No late work
will be accepted without prior approval by the professor. Only mandatory assignments are
eligible for late submission (-25 points for each day late).
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
College students are adults and are expected to behave accordingly. Although the class will
draft its own standards of civility, the following constitute basic guidelines:
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Respect fellow students and the professor, even when you disagree.
Be responsible for yourself and be kind to others.
Adhere to deadlines.
Prepare for class and participate actively through discussions and activities.
Come to class with paper and pen/pencil.
Drinks and snacks ARE allowed, however please do not eat an entire meal or bring large
food or drink items.
Unless being used as an accommodation for a documented disability, all cell phones,
PDAs, iPODs, iPADS, laptops, or other electronic devices must be turned off and ear
buds or ear phones removed.
During class discussions, please raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged before
speaking.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT:
Valencia College is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and learning but is
concerned with the development of responsible personal and social conduct. By enrolling at
Valencia College, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with and abiding
by the general rules of conduct. The primary responsibility for managing the classroom
environment rests with the faculty.
Syllabus and course calendar are subject to change. Revisions may be issued at the professor’s discretion.
Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that disrupt a class may be directed by
the faculty member to leave the classroom. Violation of any classroom or college rules may lead
to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from Valencia. Disciplinary action could
include being withdrawn from class, disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, or
other authorized actions. The Student Code of Conduct may be found in the Valencia Student
Handbook.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY (Plagiarism and Cheating):
Students are expected to do their own work on assignments and tests. Giving or receiving
information concerning exam content is considered cheating. In NO instance will cheating of
any kind be tolerated. All work must be your own. All outside sources must be cited. Any
student involved in cheating or plagiarism, including the use of another student’s work, may
receive a grade of “F” on a specific assignment, exam, or project. In addition, a grade of “F”
may be assigned for the course, at the professor’s discretion. The professor reserves the right
to determine penalties within Valencia College’s academic honesty policies.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), located in SSB 102, is available to assist students
with documented needs. Students who qualify for academic accommodations must provide
the professor with a letter from the OSD and discuss specific needs with the professor,
preferably within the first two weeks of the semester.
FINAL EXAM:
Your Final Story Project is your final exam. All students will present their projects during the
final weeks of class, as indicated on the course calendar, and must be present in class for their
classmates’ presentations. This is a mandatory assignment, therefore failure to participate will
result in a final grade of “F” for the course.
BAY CARE:
Valencia College supports our students in having a rewarding and successful college experience.
To that purpose, Valencia students can find immediate help with issues dealing with stress,
anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, substance abuse, time management, as well as
relationship problems dealing with school, family, or work. BayCare Behavioral Health Student
Assistance Program (SAP) services are free to all Valencia students and are available 24 hours a
day by calling (800) 878-5470. Free face-to-face counseling is also available.
Syllabus and course calendar are subject to change. Revisions may be issued at the professor’s discretion.
GRADING SCALE:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 59 and below
Your grade for SLS 1122 will be calculated based on the professor’s assessment of your work.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignment
Creator/Victim Reflection
Time Management Reflection
LASSI Action Plan
Co-Curricular Reflection #1 (PLACE)
Co-Curricular Reflection #2 (PURPOSE)
Co-Curricular Reflection #3 (PERSONAL
CONNECTION)
Strengths Quest Assessment
Strengths Quest Team Assignment
Purpose Paper
Career Interview
My Plan
Personal College Budget
My Education Plan
My Education Plan Reflection
Final Story Planning Document & Meeting
Final Story Presentation (FINAL EXAM)
Attendance/Participation
Value
10
10
25
25
25
25
Total Points Possible
1000
Score
25
100
100
100
30
30
100
25
20
200
150
Syllabus and course calendar are subject to change. Revisions may be issued at the professor’s discretion.
WEEKLY COURSE CALENDAR:
Week/Dates
Week 1: 8/31-9/6
Week 2: 9/7-9/13
College Closed: 9/7
Week 3: 9/14-9/20
Week 4: 9/21-9/27
Week 5: 9/28-10/4
Themes/Topics
ORIENTATION TO COLLEGE
 Intros/Syllabus
 Expectations
 Characteristics of successful
students
 Overview Co-curriculars
ORIENTATION TO COLLEGE
 Mindsets
 Time Management
 College Culture
COLLEGE SUCCESS SKILLS
 LASSI
 Notes
 SMART Goals
COLLEGE SUCCESS SKILLS
 Critical Thinking
 Motivation
SELF-EXPLORATION
 Strengths Quest (SQ)
 SQ Team Project Intro
Assignments Due
Purchase course materials
Due at start of 2nd class:
 Creator/Victim
Reflection
Due at start of 1st class:
 Time Management
Reflection
Due at start of 1st class:
 LASSI Action Plan
Due at start of 1st class:
 PLACE Co-Curricular
Reflection
Due at start of 2nd class:
 SQ Assessment Results
Due at start of 1st class:
 SQ Team Presentations
Week 6: 10/5-10/11
SELF-EXPLORATION
 SQ Team Project
Week 7: 10/12-10/18
SELF-EXPLORATION
Due at start of 2nd class:
 Holland Party
 Purpose Paper
 My Plan Assessment
CAREER EXPLORATION
Due at start of 2nd class:
 Library Orientation
 My Plan
 Career Interview Intro
CAREER/EDUCATION EXPLORATION Due at start of 1st class:
 Intro My Education Plan
 PURPOSE Co-Curricular
Reflection
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
 Stress Management
Week 8: 10/19-10/25
Week 9: 10/26-11/1
Week 10: 11/2-11/8
Syllabus and course calendar are subject to change. Revisions may be issued at the professor’s discretion.
Week 11: 11/9-11/15
FINANCIAL LITERACY
Due at start of 2nd class:
 My Education Plan and
Reflection
Week 12: 11/1611/22
One-on-One Meetings as
scheduled
Week 13: 11/2311/29
Final Story Prep Day
Due at One-on-One Meeting:
 Final Story Planning
Document
Due at start of 2nd class:
 Career Interview
 Personal College
Budget
Due 11/24, 11:59pm:
 PERSONAL
CONNECTION CoCurricular Reflection
College Closed: 11/2511/29
Week 14: 11/30-12/6
FINAL STORY PRESENTATIONS
FINAL STORY PRESENTATIONS
Week 15: 12/7-12/13
FINAL STORY PRESENTATIONS
FINAL STORY PRESENTATIONS
Week 16: 12/1412/20
FINAL STORY PRESENTATIONS
FINAL STORY PRESENTATIONS
FINALS WEEK
Syllabus and course calendar are subject to change. Revisions may be issued at the professor’s discretion.