Freshman Year Initiatives

USI has several programs designed for new students. These programs support them as they adjust and integrate into USI’s culture and student body.

Living Learning Communities

At USI, first-year students with similar interests or majors can live together in a special area of the residence halls. In these Living Learning Communities (LLCs), students get all the benefits of living in a USI residence hall, plus classes taught especially for their cohort, special programs, service opportunities and much, much more. LLCs are a great place to form a close community and make friends! LLC students typically have higher GPAs and report more satisfaction with their firstyear experience. USI has 11 LLCs based on academic themes or hobbies—many are open to all majors. For a list of LLCs and more information, visit USI.edu/living-learning-communities or email USI.LLC@usi.edu.

USI's 11 LLCs to Choose from: • Creative Expressions (all majors*) • Education (Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education majors) • Engineering (all Engineering majors) • E-Sports & Gaming (all majors*) • Exploring Majors (all majors* and Undecided) • Honors (all majors*, must be in Honors Program) • Nursing & Health Professions (majors in the College of Nursing & Health Professions) • Outdoor Adventures (all majors*) • Pott College (majors in the Pott College) • Romain College of Business (all majors*) • Service & Leadership (all majors*) *Due to accreditation standards, Engineering students can only live in the Engineering LLC.

First Year @ USI Newsletter

We only have one day for Orientation, but we have so much more information to give your student! First Year @ USI will build from his/her Orientation experience and help your student successfully transition to USI. First Year @ USI is emailed monthly February–June and October–April and weekly from July–September for students beginning in the fall semester. A similar frequency is followed for students beginning in the spring.

Welcome Week

Welcome Week is your student’s first taste of being a student at USI! It is a week full of activities and events designed to help students meet one another, adjust to new surroundings and start on the right foot in their academic career at USI. All students are expected to attend the Eagle Experience activities. Welcome Week details can be found at USI.edu/welcomeweek.

The Source Newsletter

The Source is a great way for your student to learn about events and opportunities on campus. The Source is emailed weekly during the academic year. Students are automatically signed up to receive the newsletter through their student email address, but they can opt out at anytime by clicking unsubscribe.

Student Involvement Fair

Attending the Student Involvement Fair, held during the second week of the semester, is a great way for your student to connect with other USI students and student organizations. Encourage your student to find student organizations and activities that are of interest to them.

Emerging Leaders

The Emerging Leaders program offers USI freshmen the opportunity to develop leadership skills, meet fellow leaders and contribute to the University community. The program focuses on preparing individuals to succeed as student leaders so that, in subsequent years at USI, they can be active campus leaders. For more information about the program and application process, visit USI.edu/leadership.

Students can find more information about student organizations and activities in the Eagle Sync App on myUSI.