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W E A R E YO U R U N I V E R S I T Y
Orientation Guide
Westin University www.westin.edu
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Words of WELCOME
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Westin HISTORY/ FACTS
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University COLLEGE
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General Curriculum
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Orientation to Westin Life (OWL)
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Week of Welcome
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Transition Support Programs
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TRIO Programs
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ngoing Evaluation and O Assessment
Additional Documents Quick Reference Guide References Image Citations
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Words of WELCOME
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ongratulations on your to Westin University. I want to be the first to thank you for your decision to attend Westin. Westin University is a special place where you will be encourage and support every students intellectual, personal, and professional development. At Westin, we are a community of lifelong learners and as a member of the community of the community, we will hold you to the same high academic expectation to always do your best. As an institution we will continue to assess our programs and initiatives to insure we are providing meaningful experiences to help you achieve your goals.
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t Westin we believe that student who has a goal and is willing to work hard to achieve that goal, should be given the opportunity to succeed through the availability of high quality education.
D E S I G N G R A P H I C M O R E F O R
We are a Commu nity of Learners1
We are Westin- Orientation Viewbook Editor: Natasha Hopkins Production CSP 6040 December 7, 2010
WE ARE YO U R U N I V E R S I T Y
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f you decided to come to Westin because you were looking for a quality, rigorous education curriculum, co curricular opportunities, and real world experiences you’ve come to the right place. We are your University,
Kim Laforet Kim Laforet
President of Westin University
Fast Facts about Westin University
Founded: 1918 Motto: “tell me and I’ll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I’ll understand.” Mission Statement: Westin is a community of learners committed to academic excellence, values ethical and social responsibility, and helping its students become culturally aware lifelong learners.
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PUBLIC 4-year
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6,525
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students
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students from different states
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different countries
23%
Underrepresented students
25:1
average student-faculty ratio 3
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principle that challenges the students, faculty, staff, and community to be active in the curricular and co curricular experiences. This quote was developed through an understanding of Native American influence in the central Georgia region. Prior to the early 18th Century, most of Georgia was home to American Indians belonging to a southeastern alliance known as the Creek Confederacy. Today’s Creek Nation, also known as the Muskogee.3 Westin founders believe that access to education and being an active participate leads to an empowered and active society.
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I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand,� has been a guiding
3.1
average incoming student GPA
Primarily Residental
Westin University (WU) was founded in 1917 and welcomed its first class in 1918. Westin University was founded by a group of innovative individuals who believed that going out into the world provided the best learning tools to lead to change within self, the commu nity, society, and world. Although the University of Georgia, located in Athens, GA was founded in 17521 and Atlanta University in 1865.2 WU is the first public university in Alpharetta, GA and is only 28 miles from the Atlanta city center. WU was the first metro area institution to admit all students. The Native American quote, "tell me and
Moderately Selective
Westin HISTORY
University COLLEGE A message from the Dean of University College Dear Students, The University College serves all undergraduate students. The mission of University College is to assist students in making a successful transition from high school to university learning by providing the academic support services necessary W W W . D E S I G N F R E E B I E S . O R G
to succeed.8 The integration of curricular programs and co curricular programs
are crucial to fostering holistic student learning.3
As a means of helping students achieve their academic goals, every Westing student must fulfill a general education requirement. The University College is responsible for overseeing the general curriculum which reflects Westin’s commitment to the principles of a comprehensive education. This broad curriculum develops critical thinking, problem solving, reasoning, communications skills, multicultural competence, ethic and social responsibility and self appraisal needed to prepare students for success in future careers and in a global society.2
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As Dean of the University College I challenge you to take advantage of the many programs the college provides are you transition from high school or working to the Westin college community. Some of the programs include:2
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Academic Planning Degree options, courses, and enrolling for courses. Career Planning Resources for career planning and ways to connect degrees with careers Academic Support Resources to help you achieve academically Engagement Ways to get involved in the Westin community
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I hope you take time to get the faculty and staf of University College. We are here to help your presistet and succeedd at Westin. We Are Westin, Tyler Foxworthy
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Dean of University College
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The general curriculum requirements are necessary to achieving WU’s intended “Westin forces you out your comfort zone. As a chemistry student I would have never outcomes for its students. thought I’d enjoy my Chinese history course so much. The general curriculum allowed me to explore interest outside my major.”
~John’ 12 4
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General CURRICULUM
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career."5
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The general curriculum requirement describes the core courses all WU students must take in order to graduate. These requirements can be achieved through an assortment of courses to meet each students’ academic interest. The general curriculum requirements are important to achieving WU’s intended outcomes for its students. These are general curriculum requirements applicable to all students at UW regardless of their college or major. In addition to specializing in major specific courses and trainings "I've forged academic and personal for future career goals, students should become familiar relationships here that will prove invaluable in my future professional with other academic disciplines.
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~Griegg, ‘11
We Are Westin- first year seminar for all new students Intercultural awareness Humanities and Art Qualitative and quantitative reasoning Philosophy, Ethics, citizenship, and society
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General Curriculum Minimum Requiremnts13
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* Transfer students will have the opportunity to transfer credits earned at a two-year or four-year institution. Each student will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Academic advisers work hard to ensure all applicable courses fulfill he general curriculum requirements.
Written and Verbal Communications Senior Capstone
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General CURRICULUM
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1hr: We Are Westin- first year seminar The purpose of the seminar is to communicate academic expectations, resources, policies, and traditions of Westin University life.1 Students who participate in the We Are Westin course will be challenged to enhance their intellectual inquiry, understand their academic and moral responsibilities, and appreciate diversity. We Are Westin courses are an experiential approach to learning that engages students in the curricular and co curricular learning. 6
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9hrs: Humanities and Art (visual art, performance arts, music, and literature) The purpose of these courses is to help students examine the nature of creativity, especially imaginative and develop judgments about those creative works, in their appropriate social and historical context and finally to help students develop the their own creative and expressive abilities. 8 9 9-12 hrs: Intercultural awareness
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The purpose of this requirement is to develop a students cross-cultural perspective and be able to analyze and interpret intercultural relations.1 This requirement achieved through in various ways. Students have the opportunity to take at least three courses that have been identified as cultural based perspectives including religious studies, anthropology, non western history, or similar. Students also can achieve this cultural awareness requirement through a student exchange abroad. One course must be Introduction to Global Awareness which is a course discussing the foundations to navigating and understanding differences common in our society.7
9-11hrs: Qualitative and Quantitative Reasoning Every student must take at least a introductory mathematics course, a introductory science course with a lab. These courses introduce students to the methods of various math/science disciplines. They provide an understanding of the current scientific and knowledge of the world, how that knowledge is secured, and how scientific knowledge changes over time.10 This knowledge is crucial in developing the ability to understand the natural world. 11
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3-6hrs: Philosophy, Ethics, Citizenship, and Society
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3-7hrs Senior Capstone Every student at Westin participates in a senior capstone course. The primary goal of senior capstone courses is to facilitate the integration and synthesis of culminating material within the academic major and improve seniors’ career preparation and pre-professional development. 18 Capstone courses focus on the integration of coursework, breadth of knowledge, application of skills, and transition as a professional. Additionally, through the capstone, students will be able to demonstrate the achievement of Westin’s learning outcomes for its students.7 Students and faculty involved assess the capstone courses primarily through assessment and some comprehensive evaluations.1
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9-12hrs: Written and Verbal Communications The purpose of the English/literature requirement is to expose students a variety of literature and writing courses. All courses pay special attention to the improve a students’ ability to think critically, read, and write. 9 Additional courses include but not limited to Creative Writing, Advanced Writing, Poetry, and Global Literature, and other forms of written communication. Westin requires all students to fulfill a public speaking requirement to provide the fundamental verbal communication skills necessary to communicate in a global society. 16 17
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The purpose of this requirement is to engage students in the study of the meaning and values of life in an effort to help students develop their own reasoning abilities.12 An analysis of the conceptual tools needed to make informed, responsible judgments based on the ability to think critically and knowledgeably about issues of personal, professional, and public ethics and morality. Various courses examine the ethical dimensions of citizenship in political, social, and religious contexts. These courses includes a service component that allows students to explore the relations of citizenship and public service.15
Minimum General Education Requirement
“The senior seminar (Capstone) at Westin is as close to getting real-life experiences as you can get.”18 ~Julie ‘10
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Orientation to WESTIN LIFE (OWL) Welcome from Director of OWL programs:
Welcome to Westin!! Orientation does not stop
WE ARE YOUR UNIV E R S I T Y
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end after you are accepted into Westin University. It is an ongoing process to connect you with community and campus resources to help you suceed while at Westin. The Office of New Student and Parent Programs is responsible for the Orientation to Westin Life programs which include summer orientations, the First Year Reading Experience and Welcome of Welcome activities. OWL is a collaborative effort to provide programs and services to new first year students and transfer students to integrate students into the Westin community. The goal of School mascot: Westin Owls, Oswald the Owl OWL programs is to provide new undergraduate School colors: Burnt Orange and Royal Blue and transfer students with information and activities that initiate an on-going A Westin Orientation will facilitate a smooth transirelationship with our students, tion from high school or work environment to unifaculty, staff, and community.20 versity life for new students. 21
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Carmen Jones Director of OWL programs
During my summer orientation at Westin, I was overwhelmingly suprised by how excited the Orientation Leaders were about the school. I made friends right away and truely love my Westin experience.� ~Andrew, 13’
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Program Objectives 22 1. Familiarize students with the mission and core values of Westin University, its wide education opportunities, procedures, and services available to assist with a students academic goals and matriculation. 23 2. Students develop a sense of pride in their choice to attend Westin.24 3. Provide information about the policies, procedures, regulations, rights, and responsibilities governing Westin. 25 4. Introduce students to the many clubs and other student organizations available at Westin.20 5. Create opportunities for incoming students to participate in social activities and s while introduce them to the diversity of cultures on campus and articulating the advantages and challenges of a diverse society.20 6. Provide opportunities for new students to engage with faculty and staff members in their respective programs and university offices.1 7. Equip new students with information and guidance about how to manage the financial aspects of their education. 21 8. Work with students to identify where to go for valuable university and community resources to help them persist and succeed at Westin.21
Week of WELCOME Week of Welcome Schedule New Student Move-in
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Faculty and staff strive to select books that are classic, contemporary, and thought provoking. This year’s FYRE book is, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon. Every new student will receive a copy of the book.
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Westin is committed to provided access to education to every student. The Office of Equal Access (OEA) has developed modified versions of all FYRE books. Modified version include but are not limited to an assortment audio/visual formats. Contact OEA for more details. Previous FYRE books include:27
“Week of Welcome really challenged me to get out and meet people...I’m glad I did”4 ~Jody, 12’
Choosing Civility by P.M. Forni Catch 22 by Joseph Heller Creating Minds by Howard Gardner Iron and Silk by Mark Salzman Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen Never Let Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
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Org Blast A smaller version of the fall Involvement Fair. Gives students a opportunity to engage with returning students as well as get information about student organizations and intramural teams on campus.
Why FYRE? The goals of the FYRE program is multi part: 26 (a) encourage reading (b) provide an opportunity to understand diverse perspectives (c) add an academic component to OWL programs.
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We are our Community 28 To acclimate new students to Westin’s commitment to service and civic engagement, new students have an opporunity to participate in a campus-wide community service project before classes start
FYRE is the collective effort between student affairs and academic affairs to bring the incoming class together to discuss themes of shared reading experience and engage with faculty, student mentors, and other staff members.
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First Year Reading Experience The author of the summer reading will deliver a keynote followed by small group discussions lead by faculty and staff members. Students will begin to critically think and reflect on themes of the book. 14 26
First Year Reading Experience (FYRE)- a book is assigned to the incoming new year students for a discussion during the campus-wide event for the entire Westin community featuring the book’s author. *Additional discussions occur during the first-year seminars.
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The Office of OWL is responsible for providing the overall coordination and communication for new student move-in. Convocation4 Join the Westin University leaders and faculty in a formal cermony to formally induct new students into the Westin community. At convocation new student’s are pinned with the Westin pin by a upperclass student to signifiy a unification of the classes. Convocation celebrates Westin’s proud traditions.
Fi r s t Ye a r R e a d i n g Experience FYRE
Transistion SUPPORT PROGRAMS
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What are TRIO programs? The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to
identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs. The mission of the Westin TRIO Programs is to work in partnership with Westin University and the Alpharetta community and surrounding schools to promote educational opportunities primarily among academically capable low-income and first-generation college students. Early Alert Program In conjunction with the University College, TRIO has an early alert program in place to track and moniter the success of underrepresented students at Westin. If a student is identifed as not attenting class, encountering transition issues or enrolling academically at-risk, the TRIO staff with meet with students to identify problems and develop action plans.
WE ARE YOUR UNIV E R S I T Y
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What TRIO programs does Westin have? Opportunity Scholars Program The TRIO Westin Opportunity Scholars Program (WOSP) provides academic support and services to encourage student success at Westin University by creating a small college atmosphere, allowing students to take many core introductory courses from faculty and staff especially prepared to meet the needs and concerns of WOSP students. The Westin Opportunity Scholars Program provides tutoring assistance, academic advising, guidance on undergraduate research and study abroad opportunities, mentoring, workshops, and cultural enrichment opportunities. Additionally, freshmen taking three or more OSP courses receive significant tuition reduction. “The WOSP staff has been so helpful in my transition to college. I am the first in my family to attend and I was worried I wouldn’t know what to do. The OSP staff is like my extended family.” ~Trisha, ‘14
Student Eligibility
OSP has a history of success. Participants generally graduate at a rate higher than the average for the general student population. Eligible Students Must: •Be a resident of Georgia •Be admitted to the Westin University. •Have a family taxable income for the preceding year that is not greater than 150% of the Department of Human Services’ poverty guidelines. •Be a first-generation college student. •Be pursuing a bachelor’s degree. •Apply for admission on or before the December 1st priority application deadline. •Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1st. •Be eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant. •Enroll as a first-time, full-time freshman for the fall semester.
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Ongoing Evaluation and Assessment
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The purpose of the Upward Bound Summer Residential Program is to (1) helping students improve basic skills complete high school and enter college (2) helping students develop motivation to succeed academically (3) student’s knowledge of his/her own
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Summer Residental Program34 Upward Bound participants have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Residential Program which involves five weeks of academic course work, cultural and recreational activities, field trips to colleges, universities, and other places of interest.
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Westin University is committed to providing the best services possible for its students. All students participate in an assortment of evaluations to measure social, academic and satisfaction with university services. First Year Students 35 Your First College Years survey (YFCYS) assess the academic and personal development of students over the first year of college. This survey is given the first week of school and again with their resident assistant prior to finals. This information will determine if any development occurred as a result of intentional firstyear programming. All Students 36 Student Satisfaction Inventory (SSI) measures student satisfaction and priorities, indicating to Westin how satisfied students are as well as what issues are important to them. This information will be used for Westin’s strategic planning. Because of cost, the SSI is given every three years.
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Upward Bound Upward Bound is an academic pre-college program for disadvantaged low-income and/or first generation students that provides nine months of academic tutoring to high school students grades 9-12 to support and encourage college degree attainment. The program begins the second week after school starts in September and concludes in June. Students typically visit the Westin campus twice weekly to receive academic tutoring in all subject areas. The tutoring is provided by certified teachers employed in the Atlanta Public School System.33 Immediately following the conclusion of the academic year.
multicultural competence (4) help students explore different career alternatives (5) assist students in exploring different college and university options (6) helping students get acclimated to college life by simulating the college environment (7) providing a period of orientation to college life. areas.
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Summer Bridge Program33 The Summer Bridge Program is a transition program for underrepresented students at Westin University. WU is committed to helping every student succeed at WU. The Summer Bridge Program is an opportunity for students who are historically underrepresented in college the college environment. Students who enroll, participate in a eight week semester between mid-May and late July. This program is an intense transition program.31 While enrolled, students can earn up to eight credits. Grounded in educational research and theory first- year students who make a good start academically are more likely to continue their success, get involved in leadership and other campus activities, and ultimately contribute to the campus environment.32
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Go anywhere from here..... We are your University
Westin University 103 Westin Way Alpharetta, Ga 30244
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