B Y: G L EN D A HE N S L E Y
AU G U ST 2 0 , 20 1 2
Special Report
FOCUS: First-year Opportunities for Community & University Service
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FYE Day of Service – August 25
At Convocation on Friday, you heard Chancellor Belcher extend the ‘Call to
Action’ for our new students to attend the FYE Day of Service to launch FOCUS.
Please join this call and encourage your students to participate in our first day of
service designed specifically for them. I invite you to also consider being a group
leader for this day as a role-model of what it means to be a university citizen.
 Learn more about all the projects, times, and how students can sign up on the FOCUS website
 Two 2-hr. shifts (one morning and one afternoon) – give you and your students lots of choices.
 You may also sign-up as a class and work together – just let me know if that is your preference!
Why FOCUS?
1- Invite students to show their campus pride, build relationships with new classmates, and begin to
consider what it means to be a good citizen.
2- As a campus-based initiative, FOCUS aims to remove some of the logistical barriers and challenges for
you as an instructor, such as transportation and time/organization management.
Please read the feature by Jennifer Cooper and Mike Corelli in the FYE Journal on page 6.
Front Line
Western Calling U: Calling All First-year Students--- calling because each student matters
Purpose & Plan:
The intention is to make sure our new students know how much we value them and welcome them to our
community and to reinforce other initiatives to enhance student success and retention. Calls will be made
during the second and third weeks of the term.
1. Student lists (limited to 10 per caller) include name, phone, and a cue card with major/hometown/etc.
2. We need lots of volunteers – please consider helping with this important outreach project.
Chancellor Belcher announced to students during Convocation that each of them would be called by various
faculty, staff, and administrators. Instructed “you had better not dis the Chancellor,” he told them to answer the
phone! Having been given advance notice, this should translate to a wonderful campus conversation.
If you would like to volunteer for a short list, please contact Glenda Hensley by August 23rd.
Toolbox
FYE Bookmark Journey – 2012
Bookmark- (Def.): To mark your place; enable you to remember important parts; enable you to return with ease
Students can learn more about the journey and the contest in this week’s Message Board.
Instructors -- For ideas to integrate the journey into course plans, please see the lesson
guide on p. 53 of the Resource Guide. Contest ends at the end of 5th week.
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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.
This Week
WOW 2012 (Week of Welcome)
Western Carolina University's 2012 Week of Welcome is your opportunity to get involved in
campus activities and learn a little bit about your new home. Events are scheduled to
familiarize you with new facilities, give you the chance to interact with other students, and
have some fun! Visit this webpage for more details of all the great events!
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4 Annual Student Employment Fair
Thursday, August 23, 4 – 6 p.m., in the UC Grand Room. Students can learn about workstudy and non-work study employment opportunities. Off-campus employers from
Cullowhee, Sylva, Dillsboro, and Webster will also participate.
The fair is open to all university students. Light refreshments will be provided.
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
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...
Service Learning: Current Events
ACE: Arts and Cultural Events Calendar
EVENTS
Palenque Rojo – September 11th at 7:30pm in the Bardo Arts Center
Palenque Rojo, making its U.S. premiere in Western North Carolina, is a fascinating
showcase full of colors, aromas, and sensations that will transport the audience into the
heart of the magical Mayan world. This play features 20 Mayan actors from Chiapas,
Mexico, live pre-Hispanic music, dance, rituals, magnificent costumes and the Mayan
Lacandon language. TICKETS: http://www.wcu.edu/bardoartscenter/54.htm
For more information, visit ace.wcu.edu
OPPORTUNITIES
Citizenship and Civility - QEP interdisciplinary theme for 2012-13
A note from Todd Collins:
“As you plan your fall and spring classes, we are asking faculty to consider including subject-specific activities in
their syllabi that involve our theme of “Citizenship and Civility.” We are also encouraging faculty and student
organizations to consider engaged-learning activities, research projects, and service learning activities with this
focus in mind. Student Affairs has already adopted this as their co-curricular theme and we are looking for some
great collaborations across the campus. Every department on campus can participate in a way unique to its own
discipline or focus, while contributing to the larger university projects as well!
To get involved in activities already planned or to share your own ideas, please check out the WCU Citizenship
and Civility web page and feel free to contact the steering committee directors with any ideas, suggestions, or
questions that you may have about this year’s theme. “
Todd Collins --Director, Public Policy Institute Associate Professor, Dept. of Political Science
Lane Perry -- Director of the Center for Service Learning
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.
The Core
The Education Briefcase (eB) is now open to ALL undergraduate students!
Please read this feature by Nory Prochaska on the eBriefcase in the FYE Journal on page 4.
The support for student use of eBriefcase through the Technology Commons is robust and
ready to help students get on board. For information on using the eBriefcase in your courses
or program, please contact Nory Prochaska, Chair of the eBriefcase Implementation Team, or
Freya Kinner in the Coulter Faculty Commons (Instructional Developer, faculty contact for eBriefcase). For
general information about eB, visit the website.
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.....
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 August 27, 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