B Y: G L EN D A HE N S L E Y
J UL Y 2 , 2 01 2
CEO Reminders
CALENDARS
Student Life Calendar: For a complete listing of what's going on for students from intramurals, to concerts and
lectures, to organizations, arts and culture, and so much more....
Events Calendar: For detailed information on the arts and culture scene at WCU - plays, concerts, art exhibits,
films, and more...
EVENTS
Time to Carnival!
ASP Day of Service – July 14, 2012 – 10:00am-2:00pm
Where: Walmart parking area in front of the garden center
What will you discover? Games, booths, food vendors, and more!
 Those who make a monetary contribution or other donation will receive a free
carnival ticket.
 Don’t forget your Wishlist – your purchases will be matched by Walmart!
 All proceeds will benefit: The Community Table, Communities in Schools, &
Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center.
Join ASP and employees and leaders from WCU, Walmart, and the Towns of Sylva and
Dillsboro as we work together to Make a Difference! To learn more, visit
http://www.wcu.edu/31017.asp
Red Zone
Campus Safety Walk: August 22 @ 8:00 pm
From the Intercultural Affairs Lounge – 3rd floor of the UC
The Red Zone refers to the period of time early in the first and second year at college
during which students are more at-risk for unwanted sexual experiences on college
campuses. To combat this, throughout this period of time, departments across Western Carolina University
sponsor programs to promote healthy relationships, and convey the message that WCU does not tolerate abuse
in our campus community. The campaign encourages and empowers students, faculty and staff to develop an
open dialogue on the dangers of sexual violence and to speak up when they see violent behavior happening. For
more information about all the events planned please visit http://redzone.wcu.edu
OPPORTUNITIES
SYLLABUS TIME!
“I wish I had known about that opportunity to connect the dots, to engage students, to integrate content
with authentic experience in time to include it in my course design with intentionality.”
Sound familiar? Soon you will be putting the final touches on your syllabus for your fall courses and looking to
complete the course calendar with all the exciting opportunities in store for WCU students this fall. Here are a
few exciting previews for you to ponder. Though many of the details are still being tweaked, this will provide
you with a head start. Happy planning!
Citizenship and Civility - QEP interdisciplinary theme for 2012-13
Aligned with Vision 2020, Focusing our Future the WCU strategic plan, this year’s theme connects with FYE Goals
and learning outcomes as well as the QEP. It is in direct alignment with the Student Community Creed and has
the potential to intersect with any discipline in a variety of ways. Soon, you will be hearing more from the chairs
of this year’s initiative and I am sure you will find the perfect niche to meet your course goals and student
learning outcomes. Here are a few we have planned for FYE.
FOCUS: First-year Opportunities for Community & University Service
The intention of this initiative is 1) to authentically engage students in meaningful
service learning and civic engagement experiences during their first weeks of
college and to continue to build on the foundation through meaningful service to
their campus community as well as to the local community; and 2) to facilitate
the work of faculty and staff in their efforts to engage first-year students in
community and service by removing some of the logistical barriers and challenges
such as transportation and time/organization management.
EYE on FYE: Citizenship and Civility
A synthesis of course goals and objectives, this theme is also an excellent
opportunity to model a holistic teaching and learning approach. This is a
collaborative project between units of academic and student affairs.
Purpose: This project aims to help students connect primary course objectives
related to their role as university citizens and to synthesize learning and experience as they creatively express
new understandings and refine their communication skills.
Goals: To synthesize learning and experience with a holistic framework as students address each of the FYE
Goals in varying degrees and with particular emphasis on these three:
 Connect the Dots: Connect your personal interests and abilities, academics, and co-curricular activities as
you make sense of the world.
 Exchange Ideas: Communicate appropriately and respectfully in a variety of formats and contexts.

Calibrate Your Compass: Examine your values and goals - take responsibility for your own learning and
development - act with integrity.
And make sure to check out the Bookmark Journey in the Toolbox!
Toolbox
FYE Bookmark Journey – 2012
Bookmark--- (Definition): To mark your place; enable you to remember important parts;
enable you to return with ease
Student Goal: Discover College
Students will adapt successfully to new environments and responsibilities, and will
discover and utilize the resources available to them which include academic gateways,
social networks, and co-curricular and personal development opportunities.

Outcome 1: Students will identify the purpose and function of the campus
resources that serve as tools for success (i.e., the Core Elements).

Outcome 2: Students will engage with the campus community.
For more details and lots of ideas to work with, please see the lesson guide on p. 53 of
the Resource Guide.
Lesson Learning Outcomes:
Successful students will
1. Map and access the physical location of the resource site.
2. Identify the primary purpose and function of the resource.
3. Demonstrate understanding of how this resource is relevant to their college experience.
4. Integrate knowledge or skills learned from the resource into their college life.
5. Communicate how resources connect or align with FYE learning goals and outcomes.
The Core
The First-Year Seminar at WCU – Liberal studies Program: A faculty resource
The 2012-13 Edition is now posted on the FYE Faculty/Staff page in the Resource section - with print copies on
their way to your campus mailboxes soon. I hope you will find the guide helpful to your work with you course
and that you will feel free to share your feedback for future editions. You will notice a change this year with
regard to the inclusion of sample syllabi. In the interest of trees and of being more inclusive, I have not included
examples in the guide, but will instead be posting exemplary syllabi on the website. Please stay tuned!
Transition Pathways: An instructor resource for transition courses
The 2012-13 Edition is now posted on the FYE Faculty/Staff page in the Resource section - with print copies on
their way to your campus mailboxes. I hope you will find the guide helpful to your work and that you will feel
free to share your feedback for future editions. And please remember that you will find many more teaching
resources, lesson and syllabi examples, and professional development references on the Transition Pathways
Blackboard Commons.
Teaching the Core - Workshops galore! --- FYE Transitions courses gear up for fall 2012
You still have time to enroll -- If you want to attend any of the sessions scheduled for July 11th or 18th,
please let Glenda know. We would love to add you to the mix!
First Year Experience
Transition Courses: Instructor Workshop Schedule
WEDNESDAY: July 11, 2012 --1:00 – 4:30 pm
A 1:00- A-1 Learning Outcomes
 Syllabus Design
2:30
A-2
B
2:454:15
B-1
B-2
B-3
 Assessment & FYE
Personal development & Values
 Emotional Intelligence
 Myers Briggs
Lines of Communication
 Catamount Email
 Blackboard
 Social Media
Networking: Teamwork & Resources
 Engagement
 Campus: Activities, places & spaces
 Notepad, Blackboard Commons
Responsible Living & Wellness
 PEAKS: Residential networks
 Recreation & Wellness
 Early Alert
WEDNESDAY July 18, 2012 --9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Foundations
C 9:00C-1
 Transition 101: Teaching the Core
10:30
C-2
C-3
D 10:4512:15
D-1
D-2
D-3
 Academic components/Policies
o Advising – Grading - Registration
o Liberal Studies – why it matters.
Celebrate Diversity:
Community, WCU, Region, World View
Literacy is more than reading
 Service Learning & Civic Engagement
Classroom success
 Academic success centers
 Study Skills
 Career Counseling
The Community Creed
 Academic & Personal Integrity
 Campus Pride
Leadership Advanced- for the LLC’s
Facilitators
Location
Robert Crow &
Freya Kinner
Catamount
Brian Boyer
Rogers
Sue Grider &
John Hawes
Catamount
Glenda Hensley, Denise
Drury, Lori Davis, Scott
Philyaw
Rogers
Stephanie Sue Helmers,
Laura Ansley, &
Mandy Dockendorf
Cardinal
Facilitators
Location
Glenda Hensley &
Nory Prochaska
Catamount
James Felton & Sarah
Carter
Jennifer Cooper
Rogers
Chesney Reich,
Nory Prochaska, &
Mardy Ashe
Catamount
Walter Turner &
Leah Hampton
Rogers
Mike Corelli &
Tacquice Wiggan
Cardinal
Cardinal
The purpose of these workshops is to facilitate FYE instructors’ ability to effectively and creatively ‘deliver’ the
WCU/FYE promise as defined by the Transition course goals. These workshops aim to help us all do what we do
better – to help with student persistence and retention – to help them become successful members of the
academy. Evaluation and assessment of our efforts here, as well as in the classrooms this fall will provide
suggestions for ‘what’s next?’ This series of workshops will take us beyond the basic introduction of services
into the heart of why those services are considered ‘Core.’
You may reference this site for more: course goals, learning outcomes, and core elements.
Resource File
Blackboard --- reference and participate in the Transition Pathways Course site....
First-Year Seminar: Liberal Studies – resource guide for faculty teaching the first-year seminar …
Transition Pathways: An instructor resource - resource guide for FYE transition course instructors …
CFC on the Web --- help with teaching, technology, and more--- helping you do what you do better!
FYE on the Web --- many resources and network links to help you along the way …..
QEP on the Web --- discover the possibilities - find the resources you need - find your path.....
The Education Briefcase: Are you introducing the eBriefcase to your course? There is a ton
of support ready to help you and your students. For faculty and instructors – see more on
their website.
TRANSITION PATHWAYS: The Blackboard Commons: If you are planning to teach a transition course, next
fall I invite you to review this site and offer your suggestions, best practice tips and or requests for resources we
can post that will be of help to you. You will see it on your Blackboard menu under organizations. Questions:
contact Glenda Hensley at ghensley@wcu.edu
The next regular publication date is July 30, 2012 --- please let me know if you want to share updates about
programs, events, or other opportunities for teaching and learning in FYE!
Glenda Hensley, FYE Director