University College

Enhancing Students' Success

The University College plays a leadership role in ensuring each student's positive transition to university life. Virtually all undergraduate students, including transfer students, begin their academic careers in the University College. In fact, the college serves as the academic home for more than 40 percent of the undergraduate student population at the university. While in the University College, students typically complete the majority of their General Education and Writing Intensive requirements, and meet the entrance requirements to their college. The college also exemplifies the university's longstanding commitment to foster each student's individual academic success. The University College provides academic advising; tutoring and testing services; leadership development programs; basic courses in writing, mathematics, and college study strategies; and the First-Year Seminar and learning communities. The University College works hard to create a welcoming atmosphere for new students through many activities and programs, but also works to ensure that students are academically prepared to pursue a major of their choice in one of the university's six degree-granting colleges.

One of the most important responsibilities of the University College is to work with the campus community to help students successfully adapt to university life as quickly as possible. Successful adaptation ensures that as many students as possible return to the university for their sophomore year and subsequent years of study. The college helps students adapt by providing critical services and programs that ensure students become acclimated to campus, achieve academic success, and move as quickly as possible into an appropriate major of study.

The University College helps students succeed through a variety of services and programs, including:

• Academic advising
• Learning communities
• A comprehensive first year experience including placement testing, Summer On-Campus Advising and Registration (SOAR), Convocation, and First Weekend
• Courses: DEV 082, 083, 092, 093, 095 (writing and mathematics)
  UVC 100 (College Study Stratigies)
  UVC 101,102 (First-Year Seminars)
  UVC 104 (Critical Reading)
  UVC 107 (Stress Management)
  UVC 110 (Returning to Learning)
• Articulation agreements with two-year institutions
• Math assistance through the Math Learning Center
• Writing consultatoin through the Writing Center
• Tutoring and supplemental instruction
• Leadership opportunities through the C. J. McLin, Jr. Leadership Development Program and UC Student Council

Research shows that these programs are having a very positive impact on student success at Wright State University.

Academic Advising and Transfer Services

Academic Advising and Transfer Services (AATS) advisors help students develop academic success strategies, become oriented to the university, and select and schedule classes. During advising, students are given information about appropriate academic services, such as tutoring or Developmental Education courses, and referrals to offices that provide specialized support for groups as students with disabilities, Honors students, or students age 23 or older. In addition, advisors help degree-seeking students focus on their university General Education requirements and fulfill the admission requirements of their intended majors. The AATS staff also teach the First-Year Seminar and facilitate learning communities for their students. Once admitted to a major, students are no longer advised in the University College but are supported by college and department advisors.

The transfer services component of AATS provides academic advising to transfer, returning, and adult students (23 and older) who have not met the admission requirements for their intended major. Prospective transfer students are encouraged to contact the department of their intended major or the Adult and Transfer Recruiter in the Undergraduate Admissions office for information.

AATS advisors assist students with understanding college admission requirements, evaluations of transfer credits, and referrals to resources. Handouts and brochures are available. Adult students who are 23 or older and are returning to college after a break in their education can take UVC 110, Returning to Learning, for help with study skills, stress management, and time management.

University College staff work with the Assistant Vice President for Articulation and Transfer to coordinate articulation agreements (formerly known as 2 + 2 agreements) with community colleges, work collaboratively with Sinclair Community College to publish the Sinclair to Wright State Transfer Guide, and maintain the course equivalencies in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) and on the Course Applicability System (CAS) Web site at http://www.transfer.org.

Developmental Education

The office of Developmental Education offers skill-building courses in basic writing, fundamental English, and basic mathematics. The scores obtained from the university-administered placement tests determine appropriate placement into these courses. Also offered are study strategies for students who need improvement before taking college-level courses. Students taking fundamental writing courses are scheduled to spend at least one hour per week in the University Writing Center.

In addition to writing and basic math, students are encouraged to enroll in College Study Strategies and the First-Year Student Seminar. One credit hour is earned for the strategies course and two credit hours for the seminar. For each of the other skill building courses, three to six hours of credit can be earned.

University Writing Center

The University Writing Center provides free writing consultation. Undergraduate and graduate students are available to help students with every stage of the writing process and with assignments across the curriculum. Students may also receive help using one of the center's networked computers.

The Writing Center also offers individual workshops each quarter. These specialized workshops offer review of grammar and punctuation, research formats, and essay exam preparation. The center also maintains a Writer's Hotline for students and staff.

Tutoring Services

The Tutoring Office strives to provide a tutor for any course offered at the university in which a student may be experiencing difficulty. A student can sign up for tutoring not only to pass a course but also to improve their grade in a course. Initial application for placement with a tutor should be made in person at the Tutoring Office.

First-year students receive one hour of free tutoring per week, per course. Some students may be eligible for subsidized tutoring.

Veterans and students supported by the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation may be reimbursed for their tutoring expenses. The office will also direct students to "help rooms" provided by various departments, where walk-in tutoring is available.

The Tutoring Office also coordinates a Supplemental Instruction Program in conjunction with specific General Education classes. For classes with a Supplemental Instruction component, students can attend free weekly study sessions. Information on which specific classes offer Supplemental Instruction can be obtained from the office of Academic Advising and Transfer Services or the Tutoring Office.

Additional information about Tutoring Services and Supplemental Instruction can be found at the Tutoring Web site: http://www.wright.edu/academics/tutor/.

Mathematics Learning Center

The Mathematics Learning Center, created to enhance the learning of mathematics, provides many services, including

• Free walk-in assistance to students enrolled in introductory math courses
• Individualized evaluation and instruction to supplement the classroom experience
• Collaborations with Developmental Education and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics to coordinate appropriate assistance.