UAS Mission
The mission of UAS is student learning enhanced by faculty scholarship, undergraduate research and creative activities, community engagement, and the cultures and environment of Southeast Alaska. (Approved by UA BoR, June 3, 2011)
Introduction
This inventory is the result of meetings and conversations between members of the Student Success Coordinating Committee and members of the UAS campus community. It categorizes recent and on-going student success initiatives with broad student learning outcomes explicitly tied to the UAS Strategic and Assessment Plan Themes, Objectives and Indicators.
Efforts Targeting Underclassmen Math Boot Camp – a two-week summer intensive on the Juneau campus for new students who have placed into remedial mathematics.
Participants will increase mathematics placement scores.
Participants will begin to develop social network and university contacts for freshman support.
English 093 – series of special topics English refresher courses. [Student Success; Preparation & Persistence]
Strengthening Reading Skills – a one-credit review to build essential reading skills for a successful college experience.Contact: Carrie Enge
Students will improve skills in the reading of magazines, newspapers, fiction, text books, manuals, and course handouts
Students will improve skills in reading for information and for pleasure.
Students will gain skills to read for understanding of both broad concepts and details.
Students will gain skills to distinguish between fact and opinion.
Basic Writing Strategies – a one-credit review of basic grammar, mechanics, and usage. Contact: Ernestine Hayes
Students will recognize and apply basic principles of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics to their own writing.
Students will demonstrate the ability to compose complete simple, compound, and complex sentences.
Students will understand and appreciate the writing process, with special emphasis on the value of proofreading, editing, peer review, and revision.
Paragraphing Techniques – a one-credit review of techniques of paragraph composition.Contact: Ernestine Hayes
Students will demonstrate the ability to recognize and compose effective topic sentences.
Students will demonstrate the ability to compose clear, coherent paragraphs controlled by topic sentences and developed with unified and appropriate detail.
Students will understand and appreciate the writing process, with special emphasis on the value of proofreading, editing, peer review, and revision.
Elements of Essay Composition – a one-credit review of the essay composition process.Contact: Ernestine Hayes
Students will demonstrate the ability to compose well-developed, coherent, unified essays that contain an informative introductory paragraph that presents a clear thesis, body paragraphs with topic sentences that relate to and support the essay’s thesis, and contain appropriate content and transitions, and an effective conclusion.
Students will understand and appreciate the writing process, with special emphasis on the value of proofreading, editing, peer review, and revision.
Humanities 101/Psychology 110 – skills for success in college (3cr/1cr)
Students will identify and evaluate their learning style and use that knowledge to practice effective study strategies across disciplines.
Students will demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing ideas, patterns, and principles related to college and life situations.
Students will use critical thinking skills to identify personal, academic and career goals and construct action plans to achieve them.
Students will communicate effectively with individuals and in groups through verbal and written methods.
Humanities 120 – Through a variety of readings, activities and discussions, this course asks that we examine the ways we relate to the places in which we find ourselves. The course explores texts and methodologies from different academic disciplines, incorporates off-campus excursions, and demands that we ask thoughtful questions from various perspectives. C
Students will develop an understanding of basic principles of critical scholarly inquiry.
Students will analyze and discuss texts and material in various forms and make progress in the ability to ask informed questions.
Students will develop a basic understanding and appreciation of practices and methods within different disciplines in the university.
Students will be able to describe differences and similarities of such modes of inquiry.
Students will be able to complete basic work in various academic disciplines.
Institutional Initiatives New Student Orientation – designed to assist new students in making a successful transition, academically and socially, into the UAS culture and community.
Students begin to cultivate meaningful relationships with members of the UAS community: advisors, mentors, student life professionals, faculty members, upper-class students and fellow new students.
Students become familiar with UAS academic processes such as student rights and responsibilities, reading a class schedule, understanding university terminology, and navigating university online systems and software.
Students visit and learn about buildings and facilities on the main campus as well as available student support services.
Regional Advising Group – a collaboration of all staff advisors in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka formed to share professional development resources, coordinate advising standards and collaborate on major projects.
Students will be able to differentiate and utilize on-line tools.
Students will engage in educational and personal self-advocacy.
Students will identify and access relevant resources.
Students will know the curricular requirements for their intended major.
Early Alert – a feature of UAS Online Gradebook that allows instructors to alert the Regional Advising Group to individual students who may need academic assistance or service referrals during weeks 3 through 9 of a regular semester. Advisors initiate contact with students to discuss individual difficulties as appropriate. No futher details.
One Campus, One Book – a program that presents a book to the campus community for a shared reading experience. Related lectures, activities and classroom integration encourage participation.
Students engage in campus-wide dialogues inside the classroom and throughout the UAS community.
Students engage with visiting authors and scholars hosted by UAS.
Students participate in critical thinking as they explore the themes and ideas presented by the book and in associated events.
Recreation Center – a joint-use facility shared with the Alaska Army National Guard. Contains a multi-purpose basketball, volleyball, and badminton court, weight room, indoor running track, climbing wall, cardiovascular equipment, aerobics room, lockers, showers and concessions. Houses the Student Activities Center which has the ability to host dances, major motion films, musicians, televised big screen events, billiards & ping pong competitions, as wells as a place for students to hang out, socialize, and relax.
Students will recognize and practice recreational, fitness/wellness and outdoor activities that are part of a healthy lifestyle.
Students will assess the impact of recreation activities on the environment and choose responsible and sustainable behavior.
Students will utilize critical thinking skills to identify risks, evaluate procedures and make decisions that prevent or minimize potentially dangerous situations (in recreational environments).
Students will explore and attain new skills and merge academic and recreational experiences into practical application.
Learning Center – provides math tutoring, writing consultations, study-strategy coaching, resource checkouts, testing services and study spaces to empower students to succeed academically, to reach their educational, personal and professional goals, and to develop an appreciation for lifelong learning
Students strengthen effective oral communication skills and practice the Socratic method of inquiry and debate.
Student employees increase mastery of subject matter by teaching/coaching others and practice demonstrating professional behaviors.
Student patrons increase content knowledge and skill development by receiving assistance with assignments, as well as gain general study strategies utilized by successful students.
USUAS (United Students of UAS) – our student government organization which supports a rich mix of activities and programs which create an atmosphere of opportunity for students to develop and practice organizational and leadership skills in a nurturing learning environment.
Students will develop leadership skills, techniques and strategies that apply universally.
Students participate in programs that reflect diversity, instill self-reliance, leadership and responsible action, and provide enrichment to the educational social, political, and cultural life of the campus and the community at large.
Egan Library Open House – annual event providing students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the library staff and facility while also gaining exposure to research tools and scholarly information.
Students familiarize themselves with the Egan Library facility, staff, and services.
Students develop ability to access research and scholarly publications.
Students increase preparation in being able to work at a college level.
Seminars/Internships/Grants/Programs Targeting Specific Populations Egan Library Open House Tidal Echoes – a regional literary journal making this a special opportunity for students. Many colleges and universities have journals that publish only work from their own undergrads. As a regional journal, it is harder and more meaningful as a publishing experience, since students publish alongside "real" writers in Southeast and alongside a celebrated writer or artist.
Students create and submit a professional packet for publication.
Student editors gain real-world experience taking responsibility for everything from soliciting submissions all the way through overseeing the printing of the journals.
Cuba Immersion Program – a ten-week immersion in Cuba to provide students with an opportunity to explore this culturally unique country. Focused on language development, anthropology, recreation, and literary study; offers a full-credit load for Spring Semester 2012; and asks students to think critically about their own culture, politics, and history. Public presentation regarding learning outcomes of the course/trip to occur in April. No further details.
P.I.T.A.A.S. (Preparing Indigenous Teachers & Administrators for Alaska Schools) – grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education to address the urgent need for indigenous teachers and administrators in Alaska.
Increase the number of qualified Alaska Native teachers graduating from UAS
Improve on-campus support for Alaska Native students
Collaborate with partners to build a support network for P.I.T.A.A.S. participants
Cultivate culturally responsive and culturally supportive programs at UAS
AL-I (Alaska Leadership Initiative) – a four-tier, four semester leadership development program aimed at building individual leadership capacities and fostering student engagement and service though student leadership opportunities. AL-I is being implemented at UAS for Alaska Scholars this year and is intended to expand in future years.
Students will develop critical thinking skills and an understanding of the change process and be able to evaluate obstacles to change and to utilize a process for decision-making.
Students will understand the history of leadership, current leadership theories and how leadership models are implemented personally, locally, and globally.
Students will learn to act out of humanitarian values and explore their own competence with regard to the dimensions of difference.
Students will practice team leadership and examine both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations to leadership.
Students will develop a comprehensive set of practical skills and tools to rely on in leadership practice.
Native and Rural Student Center – provides support services to Native and Rural students which promotes their academic achievement, student retention, and personal success. The NRSC is a place for students to meet, form friendships, receive academic advising and support, peer mentoring, and is home to two student clubs, Gay Straight Alliance and Wooch.een.No futher details.
URECA Awards – funding initiative for undergraduate students at our three campuses to work with talented faculty on exciting undergraduate research and creative activity projects No futher details.
Exchange Programs – national and international exchange and study abroad programs to enrich the college experience and facilitate preparation for global citizenship. Cultural differences, new perspectives, foods, and lifestyles promote personal growth and enhance resume and career opportunities. No futher details.
KXLL radio program – collaboration between the UAS Media Club and the local public radio stations. Provides students opportunities to gain experience in media production and broadcasting. Airs Sunday nights.No futher details.
Student clubs and organizations – various programs assist in the transition to college, integrate in-class and out-of-class learning, and facilitate student development in all areas of their life.No futher details.
Administrative/Structural Efforts to Improve Student Success 6-year course sequence No further details.
New admissions deadline No further details.
Recruiting efforts No further details.
Mandatory advising of new students No further details.
Library remodel to sound-proof study rooms, increase electrical outlets, and increase student workstations No further details.
Creation of student spaces to study and/or hangout No further details.
SAT or ACT scores required for admission to Bachelor degree programs (Otherwise may be admitted to Associate degree programs) No further details.
Stay On Track Statewide Campaign No further details.
In-progress and/or Proposed Initiatives UNIV course designator - course designator for 100- and 200-level non-academic development courses, such as college success courses, leadership development courses, and/or peer-mentor training courses.No further details.
Honors Program – proposal in progress No further details.
Outreach - effort to contact stopped-out but nearly complete AA students No further details.
