Student Involvement- Orientation and Transition
UNVS 199: Orientation Leadership Studies
Course Syllabus, Spring 2015
Class Information:
Course Title: UNVS 199: Orientation Leadership Studies
Date/Time: Tuesdays 4:30-7:15pm
Location:
Sweeney Hall 413
Instructor:
Mariaelena Marcano
Assistant Director for Transition & Success, Student Involvement
Office Hours:
By appointment - please call or email:
Office phone: 408.924.5962
Office email: mariaelena.marcano@sjsu.edu
Office location: Clark Hall #140
Reading Materials:
The Student Leadership Challenge: Second Edition
By: James Kouzes & Barry Posner
Choosing Civility (Provided)
Speak UP! (Provided)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This class is designed for students who have been selected to serve as orientation staff for San
José State University. Through lectures, exercises, group projects and readings, students will
learn the theoretical and practical aspects of leadership. Students will receive training in
university policies and procedures and other skill building areas pertinent to their role as
student orientation staff. They will also have an opportunity to develop a thorough working
knowledge of the resources and services available to new students. Material utilized in the
classroom will be applicable to the students’ leadership experiences.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To examine theoretical perspectives and applications of student leadership;
2. To strengthen existing skills and develop new skills in leadership;
3. To examine the various transition issues that new students and parents experience;
4. To prepare class members for their role in working with new students during the Frosh
Orientation program;
5. To acquire thorough knowledge of the resources and services available to new students,
including university programs, academic requirements, policies, and procedures, and
the physical layout of the campus;
6. To develop an awareness of and sensitivity to the diverse makeup of the university;
7. To utilize theories and concepts learned in class and apply them to practical aspects of
the orientation staff position.
Expectations
 Arrive promptly
 Be respectful of presenters
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 Be prepared
 Stay positive
 Use active listening skills
 Be present
REQUIRED TEXTS & MATERIALS:
1) The Student Leadership Challenge: Second Edition By: James Kouzes & Barry Posner
2) Participation in Canvas, which carries all course content and discussion boards
3) Personal calendar/date book (Can be purchased at the Spartan Bookstore)
4) SJSU email account that you check regularly. Will be used for the official class/staff email
distribution list
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Responsibility - Students are responsible for all materials presented including lectures, films,
slides, guest speakers, panel presentations, projects and all assigned readings. In addition,
students are responsible for bringing proper materials to each class.
Attendance/Participation - This course is heavily experiential and interactive. Therefore,
attendance and participation in each class is imperative. The success of the course and the
benefits students receive depend on the experiences and opportunities provided during class.
Students are expected to have completed the assigned reading and assignments before class and
participate in class discussion. Please arrive on time, class begins at 4:30pm.
If a student misses any part of class/training, he/she is expected to notify the instructor of the
absence ahead of time, at least 24 hours in advance. It is the student’s responsibility to pick
up homework assignments and the information covered in class before the next class session.
At any time the instructor has the prerogative to evaluate a staff member’s performance and
ask that person to step down from his/her position, and withdraw him/her from the class, if it
is deemed necessary.
Assignments - Students will be asked to complete various types of assignments aimed at
learning/applying course material.
1. Weekly Quizzes- Information presented each week is important for you to retain for your
position. To test your knowledge, there will be a short quiz during each class, covering
material from the week before. There will be no make up quizzes.
2. New Student EventsAdmitted Spartan Day (Saturday, April 11th )
Students must volunteer at Admitted Spartan Day, on Saturday, April 11th as campus
tour guides. On this day, you will be interacting with students that will be attending
orientation this year. In order to accomplish this task effectively, you will need to sign
up to shadow campus tours, per the requirement and availability of the Student
Outreach and Recruitment office (SOAR). Details about how to sign up will be provided
to you. Knowledge gained from this experience will help you put the finishing touches
on the Prospective Student Reflection. There will be no make up.
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Transfer Orientation
Students must serve as a volunteer for one of the spring Transfer Orientations. Sara
Calhoun will be signing up volunteers and you are responsible for attending on that
date. There will be no make up.
3. Reading Reflections/Discussion Questions– Reading assignments will be assigned on a
weekly basis. Prior to class (by 12pm every Monday), students must read the assignment
and complete a series of discussion questions posted to Canvas, as well as respond to
discussion posted by classmates. Assignments help evaluate the student’s comprehension of
the material. This practice is also a good method for students to pick out the most relevant
parts of the reading to keep for quick reference.
Papers – Throughout the semester you will be asked to complete three papers aimed at
creating in-depth understanding of the course material. Each of these papers must be
typed, three to five pages, double-spaced. Details of the assignments with specific
rubrics will be provided at least one month prior to their due date. There will be no
make up.
Leadership Reflection
In the Leadership Reflection you will be asked to reflect on your experience at the OL
Retreat, your strengths and future growth areas as a leader on campus.
Prospective Student Reflection
In the Prospective Student Reflection you will be asked to reflect on the prospective
student process based on your participation in the SOAR campus tour and Admitted
Spartan Day while incorporating class reading materials and theory.
Advising Assignment
In the Advising assignment you will be asked to apply knowledge of SJSU specific
academic advising scenarios as well as compile an academic plan toward graduation.
4. Department Project/Presentation – This project will require your group to investigate
one of the resource departments at our university. Your group will be responsible for
highlighting the services this department offers as it pertains to incoming students. Along
with your presentation, your group must provide one handout (40 copies) that outlines
your presentation and summarizes key information about this department. On the assigned
date, your group will give a presentation about what you learned (15 minutes). Part of your
score for this assignment will include an ice-breaker that your group will lead prior to your
presentation, highlighting your group’s facilitation skills (10-15 minutes). You will also be
asked to provide 1 copy of written directions for your ice-breaker to the instructor and
digital word doc via email to: Mariaelena.marcano@sjsu.edu.
CRITERIA FOR ORAL PRESENTATIONS:
Your group will be graded based on presentation of resource topic. Presentations are
designed to help you develop your analytical and presentation skills to help better prepare
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you for your role as an Orientation Leader. Presentations will be announced in advance.
Students will be evaluated as a group on the following criteria:
Technical Explanation: Understanding of topic
Oral Presentation: Preparation, Effectiveness of presentation, Group cooperation
Professionalism: Appearance, language, attitude
5. One-on-One meetings – This assignment requires each student to schedule and complete
one-on-one meetings. These meetings are required but it is recommended that all staff
check-in with each other as much as needed.
 All Orientation Staff with Assistant Director
o 15 mins after Spring Break
 All Orientation Leaders with respective Team Leader
o 15 mins before Spring Break
6. Exams- There will be two exams (a midterm and final) during the semester covering
reading assignments and/or materials covered in class/small group discussion sessions.
7. Awareness Assignments- You will have the opportunity to opt-in on several optional
training opportunities. These short training opportunities will better prepare you for your
role as an Orientation Leader and student mentor of our Spartan community, along with
learning tools and resources that SJSU offers to help better support our student
community. You will be expected to attend the entire training and write a 2 page reflection
assignment of your experience and how you will use the training and tools to enhance your
experience and better support your fellow peers at SJSU. Each training is worth 10 points
and you can earn up to 30 points. Trainings will be held on every Friday from 2pm-5pm in
Clark Hall #140 beginning March 6th -20th. Papers are due the Monday following the
training to receive credit (Clark Hall #140).
Late Assignments – Late assignments will be accepted up to one week after the assignment is
due, and assessed a mandatory 10% deduction in points for each day the assignment is late.
After one week, late assignments will not be accepted. In order to receive credit and maintain
status as an Orientation Staff member, students must complete the course requirements stated
above and receive the grade of B or better. If the course requirements are not met according to
the point criteria and your agreement, your employment will be terminated.
Point System - Grades will be determined on a 1000-point system. You may review the points
you have earned at any point during the semester by meeting with the instructor outside of
class.
Orientation Leader Point Breakdown:
Weekly Quizzes (11 @ 10 points each)
110
4
Reading Reflections (14 @ 10 points each)
140
Department Project/Presentation
50
Career Center Assignment
30
Transfer Orientation Participation
50
Admitted Spartan Day Participation
50
Leadership Reflection Paper
100
Prospective Student Reflection
100
Advising Assignment
100
One-on-One Meetings (2 @ 20 points each)
40
Midterm
115
Final Exam
115
____________________________________________________________
Total Points:
1000
Extra Credit: Awareness Training Assignments 10 points ea. up to:
GRADING SCALE
Final grades will be determined as follows:
Points
Grade
1000 – 970
A+
969 – 930
A
929 – 900
A899 – 870
B+
869 – 830
B
829 – 800
B799 – 770
C+
Points
769 – 730
729 – 700
699– 670
669 – 630
629 – 600
599 – Below
30
Grade
C
CD+
D
DF
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State
University, and the University’s Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all
your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office
of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The policy can be found at
(http://sa.sjsu.edu/download/judicial_affairs/Academic_Integrity_Policy_S07-2.pdf ).
ACCOMMODATIONS
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as
soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that
students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with AEC to establish a
record of their disability.
COURSE TIMELINE: (Please note that the course calendar is “subject to change with fair
notice”)
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*All assignments are due on the dates as listed.
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