Thomas F. Patterson, Jr.
University of Vermont
tpatters@uvm.edu
50 stars and 13 stripes
Independence Day
Commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of
Independence on July 4, 1776
The Star-Spangled Banner
Republicans
Democrats
193 Democrats
232 Republicans
51 Democrats
47 Republicans
2 Independents
Bernie Sanders
Vermont


“More than any other American state,
Vermont has worked to preserve those
qualities that make it unique," such as scenic
countryside, lively small towns, historic
streetscapes, local businesses.
For sustainable destinations, the NGS ranked
Vermont fifth in the world and first in the US.
Montpelier










One of the ten “Best Cities for the Next Decade” -- 2010
Kiplinger Personal Finance
#2 “Best College Town” in the US --2010 MSN
#1 “Healthiest Place for Women” -- 2009 SELF
#1 “Place to Raise a Family -- 2009 Children’s Health
“Top City to Raise a Family: --2009 National Geographic
Adventure
#2 “Greenest Small City in America” – 2008 Organic
Gardening
One of the “Best Places to Raise Your Kids” – 2008 Business
Week
“Best Green Place to Live in America” – 2007 Country Home
One of the “Best Places to Retire” in America – 2007
CNNMoney.com, and
Winner “Best Town” competition in Burba.com -- 2007
Universitas Virdis Montis
University of the Green Mountains








One of the nation’s Top and Up-Coming Schools, institutions
that “are worth watching because they are making promising and
innovative changes” -- US News and World Report
A “top public university for placing grads in the best medical, law
and business schools” – The Wall Street Journal
A “top school for high salary grads” – Business Week
Among the 20 Coolest Schools in the US for “commitment to the
environment” – Sierra Magazine
One of the nation’s best colleges for fostering social
responsibility and public service – The Princeton Review
Among the top 10 schools for fitness – Men’s Fitness
A lead role in the growing national appeal of public universities
for out-of-state students – USA Today, and
There could hardly be a more appealing place than UVM - Fisk
Guide to Colleges






Seven Academic Colleges and Schools
An Honors College
A Medical School
A Graduate School
An Adult Continuing Education College
An Extension Program







College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Education and Social Services
College of Engineering and Mathematical
Sciences
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
School of Environment and Natural Resources
School of Business Administration






Animal Science
Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Nutrition and Food Sciences
Plant Biology
Plant and Social Science
Community Development and Applied
Economics


Self Designed
Cross College Programs
◦
◦
◦
◦
Biochemistry
Biological Science
Environmental Sciences
Environmental Studies

At University:
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
You don’t have to go to class.
You need to manage your time.
You need to study more.
The reading load is heavier and tougher.
Taking notes is more difficult.
You won’t be reminded of deadlines and tests.
There are no As for efforts.
Your parents won’t be able to help much.
Help is available, but you have to seek it out.
You need to balance work and play.
You need to develop new relationships and eat new food.
Discipline problems are not tolerated, and
You choose your major and some classes.



Help First-Year Students make the transition
from high school to college
Facilitate First-Year Students to develop
intellectual and social engagement
Ultimately, increase student retention rates
All First-Year Students enrolled in CALS take
two 3 credit Foundations courses their first
year.

Fall Semester:
CALS 001 -- Foundations: Communication Methods

Spring Semester:
CALS 002 -- Foundations: Informational Technology
How CALS 001 helps to meet the FYE goals:
 Help FY students to make the transition from
high school to college
 Promote First-Year Students to develop
intellectual and social engagement
 Ultimately increase student retention rates




Structure of class: Lecture and Lab
Instructors: Senior Lecturer and upper-class TAs
Lectures on UVM organization, help systems,
time management, plagiarism, group behavior.
Credit for:
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Joining a club or group
Meeting with their faculty advisor twice the semester
Writing two learning reflections a week on Blackboard
Completing a library exercise
Outside speech critique paper, edited by lab colleague
Critiques, attendance and attitude
Midterm and final exam

Oral Communication (General Education
Skills)
◦ Class Introduction
◦ Group Presentation
 Critical analysis of 2 articles
◦ Individual Presentations




Impromptu
Informational
Persuasive
Choice
◦ Reflection Papers






Get to know themselves better by creating, giving and
reflecting on their ‘passionate’ oral presentations
Get to know a group of CALS FY students well,
through giving and critiquing oral presentations
Do and learn about important things that will help
them make the transition to higher education
Learn through reflection on experience
Develop the transferable general education skills of
oral communication that serve them in future classes
and after graduation, and
Often seek important academic and personal advice
from Upper-Class TAs
Thomas F. Patterson, Jr.
Senior Lecturer
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05401
tpatters@uvm.edu