Enrollment Services
116 North Hall
724-738-4868

Associate Provost
Amanda Yale

Secretary
Carolyn Colosimo

Departments
Academic Services

Programs
First Year Studies
Retention Services
Services for Students with Disabilities

Rock Solid Support
First Year Studies exists to support the teaching and learning process. The FYRST Program is designed to ease the transition into college life by providing a coordinated effort of offering academically based support services to students. The area has primarily one goal—to facilitate the student transition from high school or work to the university. Structurally, FYRST is the home of all new freshmen, organized within the Division of Enrollment Services. FYRST is comprised of The Department of Academic Services, Office of Retention, and Office of Services for Students with Disabilities.

The majority of the university’s academic support services are coordinated and delivered to new students by FYRST. Specifically, FYRST includes spring and summer orientation programming initiatives, first and second year academic advising, advising for exploratory students, learning community clusters, freshman seminar, tutoring, supplemental instruction, developmental math coursework, early-alert retention-based initiatives, services for students with disabilities, academic support services designed especially for first-year academically-challenged students, and support services for students who fall into academic difficulty during their college experience.

FYRST is about creating successful learning experiences for students in and outside the classroom. Progression through FYRST is to be assisted by the faculty advisor, however, it is the student’s responsibility to see that he/she meets all requirements of the degree granting college so that upon completion of the first year of study, the student must attain the minimum number of credits, the specific courses and the minimum QPA required by the major department. Through setting high goals and commitment to meeting those goals, new freshmen are to be able to support their efforts through FYRST and make a successful transition.

Department of Academic Services
106 Bailey Library
724-738-2012

Chair
Mark Campbell

Secretaries
Laura Holste, Mary Beth Keffalas, and Marsha McKnight

Faculty
Cathy Brinjak, Mark Campbell, Connie Laughner, April Longwell, Deborah Mariacher, Jessamine Montero, Susan Parsons, Armand Policchio, Annette Salsovic, Darla Shields

Office of First Year Studies

First Year Studies begins with a Rock Solid Orientation
FYRST begins with an orientation program during which students are introduced to the campus, to a FYRST faculty advisor, and to a host of institutional resources and services. New student orientation is designed to help students achieve a successful transition to university life. Slippery Rock employs a host of new and innovative ways to greet new students in their first few days on campus and assist them continually throughout their first year. New students who are admitted early have the opportunity to attend an early orientation program in the spring of their senior year. These students receive a head start on their college experience by scheduling for classes, receiving financial aid information, making and securing living arrangements, and meeting new friends, faculty, and college staff. The orientation program, which is conducted in June, is comprised of an overnight experience and more time to explore the campus and its resources. In August, new students are invited back to campus prior to the beginning of the fall semester for a welcome orientation session.

Academic Advisement
Academic Advisement is perhaps the most important faculty/student relationship outside the classroom. The University’s academic advisement system is comprised of two primary organizational structures that include First Year Studies advisement and upper-class student/transfer student advisement.

First Year Studies (FYRST) Advisement
All academic advisement of new freshmen is coordinated and directed by FYRST. The mission of FYRST advising is to personalize the first year by ensuring that every student receives a high standard of academic advisement services from pre-enrollment to orientation, and throughout the student’s first year. FYRST advising provides assistance that will help students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to select an academic program or major which best suits their individual abilities, interests and career goals. During the student’s enrollment in FYRST, he/she should develop a more thorough understanding of his/her own purpose and goals in college as well as those of the university. If a new freshman has declared a major, advisement will be provided by a faculty member selected from the major department. If no major has been declared, the student will be actively involved in the Exploratory Program and advised by a selected faculty member who has volunteered to work with students who have not decided upon a major. Progression through FYRST will be assisted by the faculty advisor, however, it is the student’s responsibility to see that he/she meets all requirements of the degree granting college so that upon completion of the first year of study, the student has attained the minimum number of credits, the specified courses and the minimum quality point average required by the major department.

Upper-class Student/Transfer Student Advisement
As a student progresses from FYRST to the degree-granting college, some departments may reassign their students to different academic advisors during the upper-division years, while other departments may permit the student to retain the FYRST advisor throughout his/her years of study at the university. Upon entrance into the university, new transfer students are assigned academic advisors from their major program.

Exploratory (Undeclared) Program
Students entering the university who are exploring majors participate in the Exploratory Program. These students are advised by FYRST advisors who volunteer their time to advise students as part of the Exploratory Program. The faculty identified as FYRST Exploratory advisors have an interest in and a commitment to assisting new students in their transition to college life.

Advisement Development
The Academic Advisement Center is responsible for developing advisor and student advising resources, conducting advisor training and first year student advising informational workshops, and maintaining its involvement in retention-related and first-year research activities.

Learning Community Clusters
The university recently implemented a learning community cluster program which includes a freshman seminar for the purpose of improving students’ academic and social integration and establishing an educational environment that maximizes both student-student interaction, student-faculty and student-professional staff interaction. The transition to university life can be challenging and even stressful. The academic and social advantages provided by joining a learning community cluster and freshman seminar initiative can help reduce that stress. By enrolling in the same classes, students are encouraged to meet new people, make friends easily, form study groups, participate in class discussions, and become engaged with their professors.

Research has shown that the more students connect to the university, the more successful they are in their college experience. Our research shows that by enhancing a student’s sense of community and involvement, the freshman seminar and learning community clusters contribute to higher retention rates. Because both freshman seminars and learning communities promote active learning and foster collaboration and cooperation, students who participate are higher achievers and more involved in their classes.

Freshman Seminar (FYRST Seminar)
The freshman seminar course is designed especially to enhance the academic, social, and personal integration of the student by focusing on transition topics related to the college environment (e.g., time management, active learning strategies, note-taking skills, test preparation, goal setting, use of campus technology, academic advising, major and career exploration, professional development in the technology fields, diversity, relationship issues, and issues of wellness).

Academic and Learning Assistance Resources
Housed in the Academic Services Center are a series of academic and learning assistance resources for students. This resource center offers free materials on first-year and adult academic transition tools; learning assistance resources on time management, effective reading, test preparation, test taking and note taking; and academic advising resources on scheduling tips, quality point average calculations, and information on major and career selection.

Tutoring Center
Slippery Rock University’s Tutorial Center assists undergraduate students in meeting their academic goals with peer individual and group tutoring services, study skills workshops, and Supplemental Instruction (SI). Emphasis upon basic skills and upon the Liberal Studies areas, study skills instruction and support, communication with faculty, and extensive training and supervision of tutors meets students’ immediate academic and content based needs and provides them with effective and transferable study skills. Tutorial services at Slippery Rock University are personalized and tailored to individuals’ academic needs.

With emphasis on the basic skills, tutoring services also include the proactive Supplemental Instruction (SI) model for academic assistance. Students hired as leaders attend assigned classes and work closely with enrolled students to model and teach study skills strategies. Leaders facilitate group-tutoring sessions emphasizing cooperative learning activities.

Individual tutoring sessions for students are scheduled by appointment or on a drop-in basis, whereas group and SI sessions are scheduled to accommodate the greatest number of interested students.

College Skills Workshops
During the fall and spring semester, the Tutorial Center offers an array of workshops designed to help students succeed in college. All students are eligible to participate in the workshops on such topics as managing time, taking effective class notes, reading texts, building a strong memory, increasing test-taking skills, reducing academic anxiety, choosing a major, and becoming informed on the liberal studies program requirements.

ACT 101
Funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the ACT 101 Program at SRU provides academic support services to 250 students meeting eligibility guidelines of residency and income. This program is designed to give students an opportunity to acquire and enhance skills necessary for academic success in higher education. Serving first-year, transfer, and upper-level students, the ACT 101 Program provides orientation to the university, academic advisement in exploratory and supplemental advisement across majors, registration preparation sessions, peer assistance, tutorial services, majors exploration, linkage with university programs and services, and program advocacy. With a focus on student achievement, the program and university coordinate the ACT 101 financial award of $500 for tuition to program students demonstrating academic success and persistence in their first two semesters. If you are interested in ACT 101 Program services and/or guidelines, please contact the program at 724-738-2012 or act101@sru.edu.

Student Support Services Program
The federally funded Student Support Services Program serves students who have experienced academic challenges at Slippery Rock. Students who are on academic probation or who are on an academic readmission contract participate in the program to develop successful college skills. Students participate in individual and group academic advisement activities and learning strategies course work which teaches them how to apply and develop effective learning and study habits. Students participating in the program enroll in a learning strategies course, which is focused on developing their learning strategies, academic goals, and decision-making skills.

Developmental Math
Developmental Math coursework is also offered to students needing extra assistance with math. Two courses cover basic arithmetic skills and an overview of introductory algebra. See course descriptions.

Office of Retention Services
116 North Hall
724-738-2011

Director
Carla Hradisky-Coffelt

Secretary
Angela Zimmerman

Service to our students is paramount at Slippery Rock University. We are not only interested in recruiting students to The Rock, but are equally as interested in seeing them through to success. Through the Office of Retention Services, Slippery Rock begins early in the first semester freshman year to retain its students by addressing the issues that a first semester freshman will experience. Assistance is offered to freshman students through a computerized assessment program call SAPA (Student Attendance, Performance and Adjustment Report).

Within the first 5 weeks of the semester, faculty who teach first year students are asked, “How are your freshman students doing?” These questions are asked to get a better sense if the students are attending class regularly, if they are prepared, doing homework assignments and are meeting success. Once the freshmen are evaluated, academic advisors along with key university personnel are notified of the problems.

During one-on-one interviews with SAPA cited student, university personnel have the opportunity to speak with students directly, refer them to academic tutoring, support sessions and recommend both personal and career counseling as needed.

FYRST students who have interrupted their attendance at The Rock for any reason and have not attended another college or university since their departure may resume studies at Slippery Rock University by reapplying for admission through the retention services office.

Office of Services for Students with Disabilities
122 Bailey Library
724-738-4877

Director
Linda Smith

The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities provides accommodations and services to ensure equal access to education as intended by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for students with disabilities including but not limited to learning, physical, hearing, vision or psychological disabilities. At Slippery Rock University we want all students to achieve academic success, and are interested in making every effort to accommodate and serve students with disabilities. To be eligible for services appropriate documentation must be provided. Documentation may include medical diagnosis, psychological evaluations, etc. Upon acceptance to Slippery Rock, students with disabilities are encouraged to make an appointment with the Director so a personal interview can be schedule.