UB 101: University Experience
Fall Semester 2012
Wednesday, 10:00 – 10:50 am
103 Diefendorf Hall
Registration Number: 16816 • Section: AP
Instructor
Jillian Reading
Academic Advisor
School of Public Health & Health Professions
716-829-6768
jreading@buffalo.edu
Office hours: Monday – Friday, 9 am – 4 pm
Please call or email for an appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
UB 101 is a one-credit hour seminar course designed to assist first year students in making the transition to the University
at Buffalo, providing them a framework for their success as students. Through a small, interactive classroom environment
intended to engage students in learning, this course focuses on providing resources, fostering important relationships, and
helping students to understand their responsibilities and privileges with the University community.
COURSE GOALS
To assist first-year students with their transition into the University at Buffalo and to help them develop skills needed to
become successful college students.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
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To become familiar with and utilize the various resources available at UB.
To enthusiastically engage in co-curricular learning experiences through a multitude of campus programs and services.
To enhance intellectual, personal, and social skills that will enable success at UB.
To increase knowledge of, and appreciation for, the diverse cultures and ideas concerning the UB campus and world
community.
To create relationships with individuals and departments throughout the UB community.
To prepare for future endeavors as college students and as employees.
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental university value. Through the honest completion of academic work, students sustain
the integrity of the university while facilitating the university’s imperative for the transmission of knowledge and culture
based upon the generation of new and innovative ideas. For a complete description of UB’s Academic Integrity Policies and
Procedures, refer to the Undergraduate Catalog (http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/course/integrity.shtml).
Students with Disabilities
If you have a documented disability, are registered with the Office of Accessibility Services, and are entitled to
accommodation, please inform us within the first three weeks of class.
Computing Policies
At UB, information technology is used to enhance teaching, support learning, enrich extracurricular experiences, and
enable students to conduct business with the university online. Students are expected to abide by UB’s Computing Policies
as outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog (http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/conduct/computing.shtml).
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Some course assignments have a written component to them. All papers and assignments should be handed in at the start
of class on the date they are due. Papers should be typed with a 12-point font, double spaced, and one inch margins on all
sides.
1.
Class Participation and Attendance (140 points)
Class participation is critical to your academic success in this course and at UB in general. Active involvement and
participation in class (this includes completion of course readings and assignments) are evaluated throughout the
semester. Additionally, in-class assignments and activities will contribute to your overall class participation grade.
Being prepared for class by completing reading and work as assigned, participating in class activities, and sharing your
thoughts and ideas are essential to making this class rewarding and enjoyable.
You are allowed one (1) unexcused absence during the semester. For each subsequent unexcused absence, you will
lose ten (10) points in class participation. The instructor must approve an excused absence at least 24 hours in
advance of the missed class.
2.
Library Skills Workbook (30 points)
The Library Skills Workbook is a requirement for your first semester at UB as well as a requirement for this class. By
completing it, you will gain valuable knowledge regarding the University’s library resources, research methods, and
fulfill your first graduation requirement. More information can be found at http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/workbook.
You must provide the course instructor with proof that you have received a passing grade for the Library Skills
Workbook by November 14, 2012.
3.
Campus Events/Activities (40 points)
Throughout the semester, you are required to attend two (2) campus events and submit a two (2) page review of each
event. This should not be a narrative account of the event. Rather you should strive to synthesize what you learned
from the event and how it helped you grow as a person/student. You must attend one (1) club meeting and one (1) Life
& Learning workshop to fulfill this requirement.
Your review must include the following points:
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Date, time, and location of the meeting or workshop
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Event name and description
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Name(s) of presenter(s)
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Your reaction and thoughts and whether or not you would attend another similar event in the future and why
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Whether or not you would you recommend the event to others
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Brief discussion indicating whether you feel participation in extra-curricular events enhance the academic
experience
Examples of campus meetings and workshops include:
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Student Association government or club meetings
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Workshop (Academic Success, Advising, Counseling Services, Multicultural Affairs, Leadership Development,
Life & Learning, Career Services)
Examples of insufficient events:
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Football games
Proof of event attendance (ticket stub, note from presenter, etc.) is also required. This requirement must be completed
by October 10 and November 7, 2012.
4.
Journals (30 points)
Journaling serves two purposes. 1) It gives you the chance to organize your thoughts and reflect on your college
experience and communicate with your instructor and peer mentor. 2) It helps your instructor and peer mentor get a
sense of what you are taking away from class and how your college experience is going. You will have 3 journals to
complete throughout the semester. For each week indicated in the chart below you will hand in a one page journal
entry. What you write will remain confidential, so take this as an opportunity to reflect on your life circumstances,
expectations, goals, relationships, and any issues that are affecting you. Your three journals are due on September 19,
October 24, and November 14.
5. Campus Treasure Hunt (30 points)
Each student must seek out a department that he/she feels is important for new students to know about. In a brief
presentation, you will tell the class the department name, location, and resources/services they provide to students. In
your presentation, explain why you feel this department is important for new students. Be sure to mention the
department’s website and bring brochures if any are available. The goal of this assignment is to learn about the widerange of resources available on campus. We’ll select departments during the second class of the semester.
Presentations will be on November 28, 2012.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
All completed assignments should be received at the start of class on the date due. Late assignments will be accepted up
to one (1) week past the due date; for each day the assignment is late, you will lose one (1) point from the final grade for
the assignment. Assignments more than one (1) week past due will not be accepted and you will receive a zero (0).
COURSE GRADING
This is a one credit hour course and is graded Pass/Fail (P/F). In order to receive a passing grade, students must
accumulate a minimum of 235 out of 270 possible points. From the Undergraduate Catalog: “Pass/Fail is an instructordesignated option for courses that do not lend themselves to traditional letter grades. The grade of “F” (failure) will be
included in the GPA.”
Assignment
Class Participation and Attendance (10 points per class)
Journal #1
Campus Event: Club Meeting and Reaction Paper
Journal #2
Campus Event: Workshop and Reaction Paper
Journal #3
Library Skills Workbook
Campus Treasure Hunt
Due Date
N/A
Sept. 19
Oct. 10
Oct. 24
Nov. 7
Nov. 14
Nov. 14
Nov. 28
Total Points
Points Possible
140
10
20
10
20
30
10
30
270
My Points
Passing = 235 – 270
Failing = 0 – 234
COURSE OUTLINE
Date
8/29/12
Topic
Introductions to Each Other and UB 101
Ice breakers and course expectations.
9/5/12
Time Management Skills
Time management strategies for college level academics.
9/12/12
Academic Success Skills (Jillian)
Strategies for academic success and learning in and out of the college classroom. Gain tips and
suggestions for note taking, individual and group study environment and faculty relationships.
9/19/12
Academic Success Skills (Part 2) (Jillian)
Strategies for academic success and learning in and out of the college classroom. Gain tips and
suggestions for test preparation, textbook reading. Also, you’ll discover what your personal learning style
is.
9/26/12
No Class- Yom Kippur
10/3/12
No Formal Class- Use this time to attend campus events
10/10/12
Appreciating Cultural Diversity
10/17/12
Registering for classes & meeting with an advisor (Jillian)
10/24/12
What’s In Your Cup? Workshop
Alcohol education workshop presented by Wellness Education Services.
10/31/12
Personal Wellness
11/7/12
Values Exploration
11/14/12
Preparing for your Future
11/21/12
NO CLASS - Fall Recess
11/28/12
Campus Treasure Hunt Presentations
Presentations on what you found during your hunt!
12/5/12
Class Celebration and Course Evaluations
Way to go! One successful semester complete!
FALL 2012 AT A GLANCE
Date
Event
August 27
First day of classes
September 3
Labor Day (no classes)
September 17
Rosh Hashanah (Classes cancelled after 6:00 PM)
Classes Resume at 6:00 PM on September 18
September 25
Yom Kippur (Classes cancelled after 6:00 PM)
Classes Resume at 6:00 PM on September 26
November 21-24
Fall recess
December 7
Last day of classes
December 8-9
Reading Days
December 10-17
Semester Final Examinations
December 18
Winter recess begins