welcome home University College Explorers Residential Colleges 2009-2010 Academic School Year
Welcome from Dean Corey
What You’ll Find Inside
Welcome from Dean Corey • What is University College? • What are the Residential Colleges? • Your First Month • Dining on Campus • Living on Campus • Campus Resources • Getting Involved • Getting to Know ASU
What is University College and What Does it Mean to be an Exploratory Student? University College is the academic home for all exploratory students. The college advances academic excellence, broad access, and the impact of a university education with dedicated focus on individual students. The college’s programs in academic advising and major exploration promote success and advancement of undergraduate students exploring their options for a major. These programs include assessments, courses, individual advising, online tools and workshops, and are designed to guide self-discovery and exploration of academic and career choices. ASU recognizes that many students are not ready to choose a specific program of study when first entering the university. Giving students the option to declare “exploratory” status permits them to begin meeting the general studies requirements that all graduates must fulfill. This gives the student time to explore a variety of courses that may lead to potential major interest. Students may remain an exploratory major until 45 college credits have been earned. At this time, students must declare a specific major and pursue their degree. University College academic success specialists (academic advisors) will assist students in explaining the declaration process for their major of interest. Many majors at ASU require the completion of at least one full semester and minimum grade point averages before students are permitted to declare that specific academic major. You have been admitted to University College as an exploratory student. You have chosen one of the following exploratory major tracks: Exploratory—engineering, math, technology and physical sciences
Exploratory—fine arts, humanities and design
Exploratory—health and life sciences
Exploratory—social and behavioral sciences
What are the University College Residential Colleges? The Explorers Residential Colleges strive to develop diverse and supportive communities for first-year students by creating an environment promoting active exploration, discovery and decision-making, while increasing awareness for their campus and community. • The residential colleges allow first-year exploratory students to live together in a designated area, providing students academic and social support in their transition from high school to college with co-curricular programming. • All first-time freshman exploratory students are eligible to participate in the residential college communities. • University College has two Explorers Residential Colleges: Tempe campus—Hassayampa Academic Village Downtown Phoenix campus—Taylor Place Learning Outcomes and Goals of the Residential Colleges Students will: • Actively engage in a supportive exploratory residential college experience. • Be aware of and use campus exploration and academic support resources. • Demonstrate an understanding for institutional policies and processes. • Have the knowledge and resources necessary to declare a major as soon as they are ready.
Your First Month Tips for your first month:
1. Remember, the first month of college is the hardest. It’s not uncommon to be socially and emotionally overwhelmed by new friends, new experiences and new things to do. Remain positive and you should be able to deal with the challenges that await you in the next few weeks. If you find yourself overwhelmed, don’t wait, contact counseling services right away. Visit students.asu.edu/counselingservices for contact in information. 2. Go to Fall Welcome week activities. This is an opportunity to make new friends, feel less alone, connect with the university, and learn what living in the residential community is all about. For more information, visit students.asu.edu/fallwelcome. 3. Don’t forget, you are here to go to school. Buy your books as soon as you know what they are. Your required books are listed on myASU, or stop by the bookstore and they will print a list for you. You can also find required books at bookstore.asu.edu. 4. If you’re on the Tempe campus, take advantage of the Student Recreation Center (SRC). Hassayampa is a hop, skip and a jump away. For more information, go to src.asu.edu. If you’re on the Downtown Phoenix campus, visit the recreation center at the YMCA. All ASU students have unlimited access to the newly renovated Lincoln Family YMCA, which is a short walk from the University Center building. For more information, go to students.asu.edu/dpcrecreation. 5. If you’re on the Tempe campus, be sure to set up your mailbox with The UPS Store. Every student in residential life is provided an individual mailbox at no charge. Prior to your arrival, you will receive your mailbox assignment and address with your residence hall room assignment. Follow the directions for key pickup. For more information, visit www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/reslife/upsstore.htm. If you’re on the Downtown Phoenix campus, every student in residential life is provided a mailbox at no charge, and you will receive a mailbox key upon completion of the room check in process. 6. Meet your community assistant (CA) and your University College ambassador. Your CA can help you with technical issues regarding your room, roommate issues and safety concerns. Your ambassador can help with academic decisions, personal issues, questions regarding your major and general questions about ASU. Each floor has a CA and an ambassador; usually they are upperclassmen and can generally answer any questions you may have, especially in your first month. 7. Join a club or organization on campus. Getting involved is critical to your success at ASU, and joining a club is a great way to get involved. If you are unsure about which club to join, talk to your ambassador or CA for guidance. Go to www.asu.edu/clubs for club information. 8. Get a job. Living on your own is expensive, and it’s important to find a way to earn spending money. Working at ASU is a great way to earn money without a commute. For more information and to find listings of open student positions, visit students.asu.edu/student-employment. What You Need To Do
Why You Need To Do It
Pay your housing and meal plan with your financial aid refund check.
The financial aid office will not automate this bill.
Attend the UC assembly event.
Learn what information you need to know NOW.
Attend all Fall Welcome week events.
Learn about the campus resources and opportunities.
Familiarize yourself with the university general studies requirements: uc.asu.edu/advising/genstudies.html
This is an important opportunity for you as an exploratory student to discover possible major interests.
Visit the Student Success Center: studentsuccess.asu.edu
Be aware of tutoring services available to you.
Make an appointment with your academic success specialist: Build a relationship with your academic success partner. uc.asu.edu/advising Access the student employment Web site: students.asu.edu/student-employment
For campus employment opportunities.
Visit the Major and Career Exploration Web site: uc.asu.edu/majorexploration
Access information to help with deciding on a major.
If you receive an academic status alert, contact your academic success specialist right away: uc.asu.edu/advising
Develop an academic success plan.
Attend your professor’s office hours.
Get to know your professor outside of the classroom.
Dining on Campus Finding the right place to eat on campus can be confusing. Most places accept Maroon & Gold Dollars, which is a part of your meal plan. Below you will find links to important information about campus dining. NOTE: Students living in a residential hall on campus are required to purchase a meal plan. Select a meal plan on myASU at my.asu.edu. Downtown Phoenix campus www.campusdish.com/en-us/CSMW/ArizonaState/Downtown/ Tempe campus www.campusdish.com/en-us/CSMW/ArizonaState/Tempe/
Living on Campus Hassayampa Phase Two (Tempe campus) Become familiar with your new home. Hassayampa Phase Two (HAV II) is a two-year-old building that houses the University College Residential College and a few other first-year residential experience communities. It houses the Hassayampa Dining Center, Hassayampa Corner Market, the Learning Resource Center, the UPS Store and several classrooms. HAV II is considered part of south campus.
Important Phone Numbers: Hassayampa Phase II Front Desk
(480) 965-6894
Learning Resource Center
(480) 965-6254
ASU Police
(480) 965-3465
Safety Escort Service
(480) 965-1515
UPS Store
(480) 965-3515
Residential colleges coordinator
(480) 965-9503
Taylor Place (Downtown Phoenix campus) Taylor Place is the premier residential community serving the Downtown Phoenix campus. There are two towers, each 12 stories above the common first floor. Each floor has a laundry facility, small meeting room, vending area, atrium lounge and screened porch areas. The 4,000-square-foot shade garden is overlooked by a private roof terrace for students. This public garden includes seating and a water feature.
Important Phone Numbers: Taylor Place Front Desk
(602) 496-6711
Student Success Center
(602) 496-4278
ASU Police
(602) 496-3456
Safety Escort Service
(602) 496-3456
Copper Square Ambassadors
(602) 495-1500
Residential colleges coordinator
(480) 965-9503
If you need a map of any campus, visit www.asu.edu/map.
Campus Resources There are several campus resources available. Here is a brief list of some that may be helpful during your freshman year. • Academic Advising with University College: First-time freshman students in an exploratory major track are assigned to an academic success specialist in University College. Visit uc.asu.edu/advising for locations. • Libraries: There are several libraries. The main library on the Tempe campus is called Hayden and is located adjacent to the MU. Visit lib.asu.edu for additional library locations. • Computing Commons: The computing commons are computing sites where you have access to computers and any program you may need for a specific course. You can also print, get online and study there. Visit help.asu.edu/ASU_Computing_Site_Locations/Hours for more information. • Success Coaching with Learning Support Services (LSS): Trained success coaches use research-based materials from education and psychology to help students achieve academic success through weekly coaching sessions by phone, e-mail or in person. Visit www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/lss, or call (480) 727-6613 for more information. • Academic Tutoring with Learning Support Services (LSS): LSS offers walk-in tutoring as well as group tutoring. The tutoring center is located on the first floor of the F building in HAV II. Visit www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/lss or call (480) 965-6254 for more information. • Student Success Centers: The Student Success Center on each ASU campus provides a variety of FREE services to support student success at ASU. Our peer tutors and professional staff are dedicated to helping students become better learners and gain the confidence and skills to achieve their academic goals. Visit studentsuccess.asu.edu for more information and locations. • Career Services: For assistance in choosing a career path, schedule an appointment with a career advisor. If you’re on the Tempe campus, Career Services is in the Student Services building, room 329. Call (480) 965-2120, or e-mail careerservices@asu.edu. If you’re on the Downtown Phoenix campus, Career Services is in the historic post office, suite 110. Call (602) 496-1213, or e-mail dpccareerservices@asu.edu. For more information, visit students.asu.edu/career. • Health Services: Visit students.asu.edu/health for information about health services offered on the Tempe and Downtown Phoenix campuses. • Counseling and Consultation: Counseling services work to support the academic mission of the university by providing mental health, consultation and outreach services that facilitate the student learning experience and student success in persistence and graduation. To schedule an appointment with Counseling and Consultation, call (480) 965-6146 on the Tempe campus and (602) 496-0675 on the Downtown Phoenix campus. Counseling and Consultation is located on the Tempe campus in the Student Services Building room 334 and on the Downtown Phoenix campus in the Nursing and Health Innovation building, suite 155. Visit students.asu.edu/counselingservices for more information.
For further information about resources at ASU, visit students.asu.edu.
Getting Involved with University College There are many leadership opportunities within University College. • University College Residential Colleges Ambassador: The ambassador position offers you the opportunity to mentor and guide freshmen, plan and put on programs, develop as a leader, and stay involved with the residential colleges. To become an ambassador, you must be enrolled as an ASU student in good academic standing with 25 credits or more by the fall semester and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75. Compensation is available. • University College Esquire Program: The esquire program is an opportunity for freshmen who are currently living in the residential colleges to get involved with the University College ambassadors. You will help the ambassadors with programming, events, activities, meetings, and make the University College Residential Colleges all your own. The esquire program takes place during the spring semester. There is a one- to two-hour commitment weekly. • University College Peer Advisor: Peer advisors are trained to assist exploratory students with major and career exploration and general advising activities at ASU Orientation. Compensation is available. For more information, visit uc.asu.edu/explorers.
Getting to Know ASU ASU is the largest public research university in the United States under a single administration, with total student enrollment of 67,082 as of fall 2008. ASU was founded in 1885 as the Tempe Normal School for the Arizona Territory in Tempe, Ariz. It subsequently was renamed Arizona State College in 1945, and, on December 5, 1958, a statewide ballot measure renamed the school Arizona State University, the only institution of higher education to have achieved university status by popular mandate. There are four campuses, all in the Phoenix metropolitan area. In addition to the original campus in Tempe, ASU has three additional campuses: West campus was created in 1984 in northwest Phoenix, Polytechnic campus was opened in 1996 in Mesa, and the Downtown Phoenix campus was opened in 2006. All four campuses are accredited as a single university by the Higher Learning Commission. In the 2007–2008 academic year, 14,535 students graduated from the university’s four campuses. In 2008, 168 National Merit Scholars chose to attend ASU. Many are part of Barrett, The Honors College, which has produced numerous grant and scholarship winners since its founding in 1988. ASU Resources on the Web Academic Calendar
students.asu.edu/academic-calendar
ASU Clubs and Organizations
www.asu.edu/clubs
ASU News
asunews.asu.edu
Bookstores
bookstore.asu.edu
Campus Maps
www.asu.edu/map
Career Services
students.asu.edu/career
Counseling Services
students.asu.edu/counselingservices
eAdvisor
www.asu.edu/programs/majormaps/tutorial
Explorers Residential Colleges
uc.asu.edu/explorers
Health Services
students.asu.edu/health
Libraries
lib.asu.edu
Major and Career Exploration
uc.asu.edu/majorexploration
myASU
my.asu.edu
Student Employment
students.asu.edu/student-employment
Student Success Centers
studentsuccess.asu.edu
University College Advising
uc.asu.edu/advising
uc.asu.edu