Orientation – NSM 2015/2016 University of Toledo Fall 2015

NSM 1000 Section 10 M, W 4:00 – 4:50 pm BO 2059 Instructor: Dipl.–Chem. Edith Preciosa Kippenhan E-mail: edith.kippenhan@utoledo.edu Office: BO 1081 Office Hours: T, R 11:30 am–1:30 pm, W 10:30-11:30 am and by appt Tel: 419-530-4072 Peer Mentor: Jonathan Tomko (jtomko@rockets.utoledo.edu)

Class Materials: UT Student Planner “Be Advised” handout Blackboard (Bb) – go to “My Courses” for the modules and for the NSM 1000 site

Course Description:

1 hr – An introduction to academic success strategies within the University’s community of learners. Identifies the key strategies needed to support the transition from high school to the University. Introduces campus resources, self-responsibility, academic policies and procedures, study strategies and other topics foundational to campus life.

Class Requirements:

The “Focal Five” In order to pass the class you must:

1. draft a two-year plan that addresses both your personal and academic goals in detail, minimum one page, and e-mail it to the instructor or peer mentor in Blackboard;

2. draft a personal academic statement, minimum one page, and e-mail it to the instructor or peer mentor in Blackboard;

3. participate in a Service Learning event; 4. schedule an appointment via e-mail and meet with the instructor to discuss 1 and

2 above; 5. miss no more than two scheduled orientation classes**

In order to do well in the course you must: 1. post evidence that shows you connected to UT (video, photo, etc. showing participation in

a service event, interviewing a faculty member or alum, and so on); 2. attend a minimum of two approved academic support programs;* 3. complete three of the four assignments listed below; 4. complete a minimum of five modules on the FYE site.

* Most of these opportunities occur early in the semester. Enter these events in your Student Planner during the first week of classes so that you can complete this requirement early. Attendance vouchers are available at every event; you must get one and turn it in for credit.

** With approval it is possible to substitute attendance at an additional approved academic support program for a missed class; this option, however, should be used only as a last resort.

NSM 1000 Fall 2015 Syllabus Page 2 of 6

Course Perspectives and Objectives This program is designed to ease the transition from high school and to orient students to college culture in general and to the UT campus in particular. While college life presents the direct-from-high school students with more responsibilities, the numerous resources to help develop self-reliance, study skills and time management appear to be well hidden. This course is an orientation course for students who are beginning their college experience. It is designed to assist in the development of the college skills required to become a successful independent learner in an undergraduate program at a metropolitan research university. A major effort will be directed toward helping new students identify specific academic, career and personal goals, learn about themselves, become aware of the student support services available at UT, and become an active member of the university community. It is meant to help students adjust to a new campus environment and discover resources to balance family and work responsibilities with academic life. The core curriculum is designed to provide all new students with a common experience and foundation that includes (1) developing a familiarity with the benefits of higher education and a general orientation to the functions and resources of UT, (2) strengthening skills for critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, and written and oral communication, (3) reduction of anxiety about course requirements by strengthening and refining academic skills, (4) developing a sense of community on campus with other students, faculty and administrators, (5) promoting computer literacy, (6) encouraging career exploration, academic planning and goal setting, and (7) promoting respect for cultural diversity. Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• demonstrate the ability to effectively use campus technology (UT Website, MyUT, BlackBoard, Rocket email, Degree Audit)

• differentiate between healthy and non-healthy choices and how each may impact their ability to be academically and/or personally successful

• describe and discuss various study skills and how they apply to various disciplines and/or assignments

• reflect, critique, and complete personal assessment of time management and goal setting strategies

• describe the functions and services of various campus resources and understand how they may impact their academic journey

• describe personal strengths, weaknesses, interests and skills and demonstrate an understanding of how they may impact their academic journey

• define "diversity" and provide examples that illustrate an understanding of how diversity may positively or negatively impact the university and/or global communities

• recognize, analyze and evaluate academic integrity as a core principle that underpins how we live and learn

• express how academic standards, institutional policies and/or the code of conduct impact academic success

NSM 1000 Fall 2015 Syllabus Page 3 of 6

Student Responsibilities: • Attendance is important; assignments completed in class cannot be made-up. • Notify the instructor if you know you will not be in class. • Schedule appointments with your instructor and academic advisor as needed. • If you are having difficulty, contact instructor immediately. • Submit assignments on time; late assignments will result in lower points. • Be respectful of the classroom environment; turn cell phones off and do not text during class. • Be an active learner by participating fully. Ask questions when you have them! • Follow all UT academic policies! Student Handbook => www.utoledo.edu/studentaffairs/index.html Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. Should you miss a class, see your instructor to get approval for

attending an additional approved academic support program event. Participants with more than one (1) unexcused absence will receive a grade of “no-credit” and the course must be retaken.

Academic Policies The student is responsible for following all academic policies at the University. The student handbook/code of conduct is available at: http://www.utoledo.edu/policies/main_campus/student_life/pdfs/3364_30_04_Student_code_of_conduct.pdf Academic Policies can be read in their entirety on the Academic Policy Webpage at: http://www.utoledo.edu/policies/academic/index.html Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Among the aims of education are the acquisition of knowledge and development of the skills necessary for success in any profession. Activities inconsistent with these aims will not be permitted. Students are responsible for knowing what constitutes academic dishonesty. If students are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism or cheating they should seek the instructor's advice. For the full policy on Academic dishonesty please visit: http://www.utoledo.edu/policies/academic/undergraduate/pdfs/3364-71-04%20%20Academic%20dishonesty.pdf Adding a Course/Dropping a Course: An undergraduate student has the right to make changes to their schedule of classes prior to the end of business on the fifteenth calendar day of the term. For the full Add/Drop policy please visit: http://www.utoledo.edu/policies/academic/undergraduate/pdfs/3364-71-08%20%20Adding%20or%20dropping%20a%20course.pdf Missed Class Policy: Students are expected to attend every class meeting of courses in which they are registered. http://www.utoledo.edu/policies/academic/undergraduate/pdfs/3364-71 14%20Missed%20class%20policy.pdf

Academic Accommodations: Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss. Students with documented disabilities need to contact Student Disability Services at 419.530.4981 in Rocket Hall 1820 to coordinate reasonable academic accommodations in accordance with ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Grading Scale:

A, A- 90 – 100 % D+, D, D- 60 – 69 % B+, B, B- 80 – 89 % F < 60 %

C+, C, C- 70 – 79 %

NSM 1000 Fall 2015 Syllabus Page 4 of 6

Your overall grade will be based on the following criteria:

Assignments Details Pts. Due Date ! Complete Alcohol.edu/Haven

Part I

Online assessment; complete directions can be found in the module

50 Open link on Course Menu for dates

! Complete Alcohol.edu/Haven Part II

Online assessment; complete directions can be found in the module

50 Open link on Course Menu for dates

! Attend Life@college (Passport stamp and/or voucher required for class credit)

Attend life@college Part I and II presentations provided by the Student Wellness At Toledo Team (SWAT) Part I: September 14-18, 2015 Part II October 26-30th, 2015

110 (55 pts. each)

Sept 14-18 and Oct 26th-30th

! Academic Support and Getting Involved Assignment

See Rubric for Academic Support and Getting Involved Assignment for detailed directions on assignment/assessment (Any educational program sponsored by UT that fosters improved learning)

50 Sept 23-Oct 4

! Attendance Attendance is required (14 classes @ 15 points each) 210 Class 1-14

! Two-Year Plan See the “Focal Five” guidelines for further information.

100 Oct. 14

! Personal Academic Statement (PAS)

See the “Focal Five” guidelines for further information.

100 Oct. 14

! Service Learning See the “Focal Five” guidelines for further information.

100 Nov. 20

! Meet with Instructor to Discuss Two-Plan, PAS

See the “Focal Five” guidelines for further information.

50 Nov. 20

! Pop quizzes 8 quizzes @ 10 points each 80

! Completion of 3 out of 4 Assignments (Career assignment is required)

See page five of the syllabus for further direction. 300 (100 pts.

each)

Nov. 20

TOTAL POINTS 1200

Late Policy: 10 points will be deducted on all assignments that are submitted late. Drop and Withdraw deadlines:

Course drop and withdrawal procedures have been set by the University of Toledo. The deadline for dropping a class is 5 p.m., Monday, September 7th, 2015. The deadline for withdrawal with a grade of W is 5 p.m., Friday, October 30th, 2015 (Full semester courses only).

Academic Dishonesty is defined by the university's policy as specified in the university’s catalog. The

rules of academic honesty will be strictly enforced. Academic dishonesty includes cheating by copying from any other student — past or present. All work submitted must be the work of the individual submitting it. Academic dishonesty will result in a grade of “F” in the course that cannot be deleted from the student’s transcript.

Campus Resources A listing of campus resources including information about academic resources, i.e., tutoring; 1280

NSM 1000 Fall 2015 Syllabus Page 5 of 6

multicultural and international student services, student involvement and career services can be found at: http://www.utoledo.edu/offices/mentoring/campus.html.

REQUIRED GROUP PROJECT: “Career Options” With two or more students of the same major, investigate the career options available for your major

and create a presentation/video/Explain Everything that can be uploaded to Bb to share this information with the rest of the class. Each student in the class will be required to view/read and comment on the presentation of a group of a different major than the student. What are the requirements (degree, license, experience, etc.) needed for such a career? What are the responsibilities, workload, skills needed? What kind of remuneration can you expect? What are the benefits and drawbacks of such a career? How does this career serve the greater good?

Assignment 2 – Something Different Attend a function in a college that has “nothing to do” with your major. This can be a play, a

seminar, a student-hosted event, etc. Write a one-page summary of the event, including what you liked and disliked and explain why. Attach a ticket stub, program, etc. to your essay.

Assignment 3 – Interview a Professional/Faculty Member (3-5 pages) Schedule and conduct a personal interview with a Professional/Faculty Member who works in an

area related to your major. Write a summary of the interview, including why you selected that specific person.

Assignment 4 – Study Abroad? (3-5 pages) Investigate the possibility of study-abroad for your major. What options are available to you through

UT? Through other universities? What are the requirements, constraints, costs? What are the pros and cons of study abroad? How do you think a study-abroad experience might change you?

Required Modules: Campus Technology Haven Training and Campus Safety Alcohol.edu Part 1

Syllabus & Academic Policies Alcohol.edu Part 2

Diversity

NSM 1000 Fall 2015 Syllabus Page 6 of 6

Class Schedule

and Semester Dates to Remember (see UT Planner for all dates)

Dates/programs are subject to change.

Date Program or Deadline

Aug. 24 Introduction

Aug. 26 Syllabus and Be advised packet quiz www.utoledo.edu and Blackboard Tour (bring laptop if you have one)

Aug. 31 Time Management

Sep. 2 Learning Styles and Checkpoint: How are YOU doing?

Sep. 7 UT Holiday (Labor day) – NO CLASSES

Sep. 9 Reading and Note-Taking

Sep. 14 Test-Taking Tips and Tricks Sep. 14-18: Life@college Part I

Sep. 16 Communication Skills

Sep. 21 Health and Wellness

Sep. 23 The Balancing Act

Sep. 28 UT Catalog, Degree and Graduation Requirements

Sep. 30 Degree Audit and Class Schedule for Spring 2016

Oct. 5 Fall break (through 6th)

Oct. 7 Money, Money, Money

Oct. 12 Diversity

Oct. 14 Class Discussion TBA

Oct 26th-30th Life@college Part II

Remember: October 30th is the last day to withdraw from a class.