SDES Reaches Out to Assist Students Displaced by Hurricane Katrina

Student Development and Enrollment Services (SDES) joined the university-wide efforts to provide assistance to the students displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Given the urgent nature of the situation, it was of the utmost importance to mobilize and develop a workable strategy as soon as possible so that students would be able to smoothly transition to a new university setting. “Assisting and welcoming these students into the UCF community was an amazing collaborative effort on the part of many offices,” said Mark Allen Poisel, associate vice president, Academic Development and Retention. “The SDES departments played a vital role in the success of this endeavor.”

Students received academic advising through the Student Success Center. First Year Advising and Exploration (FYAE) and Transfer and Transition Services (TTS) worked with the
college advising offices and faculty to ensure that students were enrolled in appropriate classes. Orientation Services provided orientation information, while the Registrar’s Office played
an instrumental role in the academic relief efforts by assisting academic advisors in timely registration of the affected students. The Student Academic Resource Center provided academic support services to ensure that the students who began the semester late would be able to stay on track with the academic rigor of the semester.
Also joining the SDES efforts were Peer Mentors and O-Teamers, who served as vital liaisons in assisting the students in connecting to the UCF campus. Housing and Residence Life and
Off-Campus Student Services assisted some of our new students to find on-campus housing or apartments in the community. Health Services provided immunization shots at no charge and
gave several students additional time to secure immunization information from their medical records.

The Counseling Center in conjunction with Learning and Interacting with New Knights (LINK) First Year Experience Program organized an event to welcome the students to the UCF community and provide them with an opportunity to meet other students transitioning to UCF from various affected universities following the hurricane. UCF faculty was extremely helpful in meeting these students’ needs and represented an invaluable partner in this effort.

“The hurricane-displaced students voiced their appreciation for the caring and personal attention offered to them, and the way the entire UCF campus went out of its way to help ease their admission, advising, and course enrollment process,” said Bob Snow, director of Transition Advising in TTS, who provided academic advising to many students. “A number of these students wanted to share their personal experiences of Hurricane Katrina, but most of all, they just wanted to have an opportunity to continue with college classes. Having some normalcy in their lives seemed to lift their spirits.”

In addition to assisting new students to UCF, the departments in the Student Success Center and the Counseling Center made contact with the current UCF students that were from the affected areas. E-mails were sent and phone calls were made to the students offering assistance and services in their time of need. The National Consortium for Academics and Sports and Academic Services for Student-Athletes collected clothes and funds for UCF student-athletes that experienced great losses due to Katrina. The Student Government Association (SGA) and Volunteer UCF also collected clothing and toiletry items.

A fund-raiser to assist Hurricane Katrina victims had an overwhelming snowball affect in contributions. Over $6,553 was raised through penny wars, Student Union collections, Emergency Mardi Gras, class and private donations; a single anonymous faculty member matched that amount with $5,000. The total amount collected on campus was $11,553 with Best Buy matching that amount to a grand total of $23,107. The spirit of giving touched many. This collection effort began with a first-year LEAD Scholars Introduction class and ended up becoming a partnership with the LEAD Students Association and the LEAD Scholars Program. Affiliated Housing has started initiatives to collect funds for the victims of Katrina. SGA is planning several projects, including a benefit concert, to raise funds as part of the effort to help those affected by Katrina.






SDES Collaborates with Partners In and Out of the UCF Community

Student Development and Enrollment Services enriches student programs and services through collaboration with other departments within the UCF campus and with partners outside the university community; students benefit from these efforts. The Welcome Expo and the Fall 2005 Career Expo are examples of how partnerships in action can make the events successful and offer students opportunities with diverse selections.

On August 26, the Welcome Expo offered over 2,500 students the opportunity to connect with various campus resources. The event, co-sponsored by First Year Advising and Exploration (FYAE) and the Student Government Association, had over 130 tables with representatives from the colleges, student services, academic departments, and clubs where students could receive information or answers to questions or concerns. Nine of these tables were representatives from the community, including the Orlando Magic and
Oviedo Marketplace, to help introduce students to their new neighborhood and what it has to offer. Prizes were donated by 17 local businesses and organizations.

In addition to the collaboration with local businesses and groups, the expo was successful because of the representation from the campus college and student services departments. Twenty SDES offices were available to interact with students and promote their services, programs and opportunities for student success. “Our presence and that of student clubs and organizations, student services, and colleges and departments were the right ingredients to welcome our students and all in the spirit of partnerships and collaboration to empower students to succeed,” said Gloria Laureano, director of FYAE.

The Office of Career Services & Experiential Learning (CSEL) hosted the Fall 2005 Career Expo on September 14. The event had 197 employers and 1,626 students in attendance. Employers and students alike expressed they were extremely pleased with the event. “I thought it was a good experience with quality candidates,” stated Jennifer Zeigler with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. According to Jeffrey Fulton, a marketing student at UCF, “The Fall 2005 Career Expo was an incredible experience for a student to participate in. I have never seen so many employers gathered into one place. The job opportunities were endless and I have never felt such high demand for employment.”

Career Services & Experiential Learning provides students with various events and services to assist in their preparation for the Career Expo. The most prominent is the Employment Prep Fair which takes place a week before the expo. This year Pat Williams, senior vice president of Orlando Magic, was on hand to talk about character in the work place. In addition to the keynote speaker, there were 41 other employers at the event to assist students with job search strategies, practice interviews and resume critiquing. The presence of these employers was the result of an initiative at CSEL to more aggressively develop community partnerships to increase student opportunities.

Employers are invited to participate at CSEL through on-campus recruiting, information sessions, symposiums, expos, guest lecturing opportunities at Registered Student Organizations, panels and practice interviewing program. These relationships are developed and maintained via national and local on-site visits and meetings conducted by CSEL staff and management.





Two New Residential Communities Welcome Students

The Department of Housing and Residence Life opened the doors to UCF’s two newest residential communities: Gemini South and Rosen College of Hospitality Management Student Housing Facility. Both residential communities are working with their Resident Assistants (RAs) to create a fun, safe and an academic atmosphere for all students, whether they are new, returning, graduate students or athletes.

The Rosen Student Housing Facility is the newest resort-style living for UCF students. What better place to kick off the semester with a Luau than at the new apartment pool. Students came out to meet new people as well as to see familiar faces. The festivities included a balloon artist, body painting, musical entertainer and food provided by Housing and Residence Life and Campus Life. The pool was a big hit; students played water volleyball, splashed and had fun. Students had the opportunity to get low in the limbo contest as well as participate in other various contests.

On August 26, the Rosen College hosted their first Welcome Ceremony for new and current students, faculty and staff. With over 100 people in attendance, Dean Abraham Pizam spoke about the vision and mission of the Rosen College. Students were given a Rosen College pin, class photos were taken and a small reception was held in the Disney Dining Room. In other Rosen news, the Campus Life department has started up a team sports program including 4 on 4 flag football, water volleyball and kickball.

A huge sign “Tower I Sold Out” hung over Gemini South apartments, which is located next to the Arena. The RAs planned a Week of Welcome including the Sumo Wrestling BBQ, which gave Gemini South residents the opportunity to break out of their shells and get acquainted with new people. In addition to RAs promoting fun socials, the Residence Life staff has created an educational programming series, “Does a Body Good,” where residents will learn diverse information from changing a tire to the affects of the Constitution’s 4th amendment. These programs are all presented by SDES and UCF departments in coordination with the RAs in an interactive and social environment.





Recreation and Wellness Center Facilities Tour

The Recreation and Wellness Center (RWC) opened its doors in January 2002 and has provided its members more than just fun and games. With 42,000 students and enrollment increasing every year, Willie Ehling, director for RWC, is planning for a future expansion of the center. Ehling decided that who better to help design this expansion for the students than the students themselves. With 13 student leaders from various areas of the RWC, Student Government and professional staff, Ehling and company set their sights on five campus recreation centers throughout the Southeast. The four-day trip included visits to Georgia State, University of Georgia, Clemson, University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Georgia Tech. While on campus, students met with directors from their areas of interest including fitness, intramural sports, outdoor adventure and sport clubs. The UCF leaders were able to see the benefits and functionality of indoor racquetball courts, multipurpose gymnasiums used for indoor soccer and floor hockey and concepts for mass storage. Equipped with the knowledge from several successful programs, these leaders of today are poised to plan the recreational future for the students of tomorrow. Master plans will begin soon. If students have any ideas they would like to see implemented in this first stage of expansion, communicate those ideas with your student leaders.





Today’s Outlook: FYAE Looks to Mission While Helping First-Year Students

~Three of a Four-Part Series~

First Year Advising and Exploration (FYAE) is approaching its 10th anniversary and, in preparation for the year-long celebration, they want to share with you its beginnings, present and future.

According to the mission of FYAE, the office will “contribute to a student’s successful transition into a positive university experience at UCF through early, proactive and continuous contracts.” On any given day, an FYAE advisor could be meeting with a first-year student to discuss schedule planning and major exploration, preparing for the next Welcome Expo, planning new and exciting outreach initiatives, or reviewing a student’s application to the Grad on Track program. Even more recently, FYAE advisors can be found in the satellite offices in Pegasus Landing, Pegasus Pointe, the Libra community, Convocation Center student apartments and the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, as the Advisors in Residence (AIR) program reaches out to students through various advising and support services programming partnerships.

Though most FYAE advisors have majors assigned to them as their areas of expertise, all advisors are ready, willing, and able to discuss any of the majors at UCF that a student may be exploring. The advisors are aware of the particular challenges facing first-year students. According to Paul Viau, assistant director for FYAE, the office subscribes to a developmental advising model in the delivery of its services beginning at orientation.

Maribeth Ehasz, vice president for SDES, who conceptualized the FYAE office here at UCF, said she feels FYAE has accomplished what it was set to do, “and then some.” Ehasz further stated that, “FYAE has become a model program across the university and the state. Centralized advising programs that focus on freshmen and the first-year students are now a trend.”

In addition to student advising through office appointments, e-mail, phone and instant messaging, FYAE reaches out to students through various outreach programs, making it easier for the students to meet with their advisor when the advisor comes to where they are. These programs have taken place in the Student Union, Marketplace and at bus stops. This event started as a “Meet Your Advisor” session in fall ’96.

Bob Snow, former director of FYAE and current program director of Transition Advising for Transfer and Transition Services, said he is also proud of FYAE’s collaboration with Orientation Services and other advising offices to provide students with quality information and ready for the challenges that come with advising during Orientation.





LINK Connects Students to UCF and Central Florida

The LINK First Year Experience program offers many opportunities through events and programs to enhance the first-year student’s academic success, while connecting them to UCF.

For more LINK calendar events, visit www.link.ucf.edu or call 407.882.LINK.





Freshmen Students Learn How to Master College Level Coursework

What does it take to master college level coursework? Over 100 new freshmen found out during one of two four-hour seminars facilitated by the Student Academic Resource Center (SARC). This is the fourth year SARC has provided pre-college seminars with the focus of introducing college level learning strategies and study skills necessary for academic success.

Discussion also included what students can expect their first two weeks at UCF and recapped much of the information received during orientation. Seminars were facilitated by DeLaine Priest, assistant vice president for Student Success Services, Ana Mack, coordinator of Supplemental Instruction, and Jennifer Wright, assistant director for SARC. “We want students to leave these seminars with confidence and proper decision-making skills to make it through the first two critical weeks of college,” says Wright.

Students received great advice and words of wisdom from Matthew Thompson, professor for Nicholson School of Communications, regarding college and faculty expectations of college students. He left a memorable impression on students to feel reassured that faculty want to partner with students in the learning process. Further words of wisdom came from a seven member student panel comprised of SARC tutors and Supplemental Instruction leaders, and LINK mentors.

These UCF upperclassmen assisted students in knowing whatever their nervousness and anxiety levels might be, that they had the same feelings when they started at UCF. They= talked about their college experiences at UCF related to everything from how to handle being in a classroom of 350 students to how to find a parking space. Freshman students not only gained valuable insights to their upcoming classroom experience, but also received 2,000 LINK points for participating. These points can be used at the LINK auction at the end of the semester.

Students also completed learning skills exercises in time management, note taking, and goal setting and received a booklet, How To Get Good Grades In College, which explains the 10 steps involved in achieving college success. These students will receive regular e-mail messages from SARC to assist them in reaching their academic potential and remain connected to important campus resources.

According to Priest, “Through the expertise and resources that SARC and the Student Success Center can offer freshmen specifically, we feel we are assisting in bridging the transition from high school to college.”





Welcome to SDES

INTEGRITY
I will practice and defend academic and personal honesty.

SCHOLARSHIP
I will cherish and honor learning as a fundamental purpose of my membership in the UCF community.

COMMUNITY
I will promote an open and supportive campus environment by respecting the rights and contributions of every individual.

CREATIVITY
I will use my talents to enrich the human experience.

EXCELLENCE
I will strive toward the highest standards of performance in any endeavor I undertake.