President's Report Masthead
September 30, 2012

Easing the transition to college

HDEV 105/ Harp 101 programs

HDEV 105 College Students in Transition, our first-year experience course, is a two-credit seminar course for new students to assist in their transition to the University. Students are provided with opportunities to explore campus resources, potential majors and personal learning styles, as well as develop skills in oral presentations, critical thinking and time management. Each student also has a Discovery Advisor as a peer mentor for the semester to assist with any questions or concerns from a student perspective. This fall, 306 students are registered for the 18 sections being offered. These include two sections of transfer students, one of ESL students, two for athletes, one area-based for freshmen in each residential area, four SSS sections and four open, unrestricted freshman sections. 

HARP 101

HARP 101 is another two-credit seminar course offered for new students in Harpur College on an interesting topic that will also assist them with their transition to the University. Students are involved in discussions with a small group of other new students, faculty and a staff member on a specific topic of interest. The course allows opportunities for students to explore campus resources, develop critical thinking and writing skills and improve time management. There are 253 new Harpur freshmen registered in the 15 sections being offered.

First-Year Experience

FYE lectures this fall are being given by the following people on the topics noted:
    1.  Adjunct Lecturer Gary Smith: College students and addictions
    2.  Associate Professor Matthew Johnson: Intimate relationships
    3.  Yvonne Deligato, University archivist: History of Binghamton University
    4.  Anne Larrivee, reference librarian and advisor to Binghamton University’s Habitat for Humanity chapter:  Community involvement
    5.  Assistant Professor John McNulty: Political science, the 2012 elections, polling and voting
    6.  Melinda Holicky and Jared Kirshenbaum ‘11 from the Alumni Office/Alumni Association: The power of networking

Senior-Year Experience

The Senior Year Experience (SYE) course, HDEV 476, addresses issues of transition from student to post-graduate study and careers. Students assess competencies and increase effectiveness in achieving personal and personal goals. The course includes readings, autobiographical and analytical writing, discussion, guest speakers and creative problem-solving. Utilizing campus resources, students are assisted in résumé writing and career search strategies. Twenty-two juniors and first-semester seniors are currently enrolled.

Emerging Leaders Program

The Emerging Leaders Program is a certificate program for first- or second-semester students (freshmen or transfers) who are interested in learning about leadership, becoming connected to the University and developing important skills for success in college and life. Emerging Leaders join a small group of approximately 10 new students in a specialized “knowledge community”, based on their area of interest.  Each knowledge community is led by two trained undergraduate peer mentors and is advised by both a faculty member and professional staff member. The program runs during the fall semester and has 78 new student participants in the following knowledge communities:
    •  Arts and humanities
    •  Business and entrepreneurship
    •  Environment and ecology
    •  Globalism
    •  Public service
    •  Sports, recreation and wellness
For more information about the program, visit the Emerging Leaders website.