The Freshmen Year Experience at UCSB
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The following is a list of programs and opportunities designed to help first-year students gain the skills and information necessary to ensure a successful college experience. While some programs are only available to certain populations, all freshmen will be able to access most of these programs at some point during their first year.
University Success Course
The Office of Student Life sponsors an academic course for first- and second-year students entitled "Introduction to the University" (Interdisciplinary Studies 20). In this course, new students explore many issues of higher education including the role of universities in society, the relationship between research and teaching, the relationship between a theory-based education and future career options, and issues that personally affect students during their education. Students also examine contemporary issues that affect current students at UCSB. Interdisciplinary Studies 20 is a 3.0 unit course offered every winter and spring quarter. Freshmen can enroll through GOLD and sophomores can add the first day of class. For more information about the course, contact the Office of Student Life at (805) 893-8290 or visit http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl/INT20/Index.asp?page=int20. For enrollment information, check the Schedule of Classes published for winter and spring quarters.
Student Success Seminars
(Fall, Winter, Spring)
Each quarter, several workshops and programs are scheduled to address the needs and concerns of first-year students. Topics include major and career planning, finding housing, stress management, undergraduate research opportunities, academic advising and registration, and more! Programs are offered each quarter in the residence halls. Students should look for fliers advertising these events or ask their Resident Assistant for current offerings. For more information, contact the Office of Student Life, (805) 893-8290.
Scholars Program
The Scholars Program offers unique academic experiences outside of the classroom to students entering UCSB with a Regents or Chancellor's Scholarship. The mission of the program is to bring together student scholars from a variety of backgrounds and stimulate communication across all three academic colleges at UCSB. Students will encounter special opportunities for leadership development and community building including: membership in the Regents and Chancellor's Scholar's Society, invitation to a special faculty reception in the fall quarter, attending special faculty coffee hours, and the opportunity to attend a select number of special events with other students and faculty members. For more details about events, check out the Regents and Chancellor's Scholarship Society website at: http://orgs.sa.ucsb.edu/rcss/.
Educational Programs
Each year, thousands of events are scheduled on a wide range of topics of interest to new and continuing students. Within each residence hall, the team of professional staff and student resident assistants plan educational and social programs specifically designed for their residents. These events are open to the residents and are, for the most part, free of charge. Students may also request special programming through their Resident Assistant. In addition to programming within the residence halls, several campus departments, programs, and organizations continually host workshops, performances, lectures, events, discussions, and activities. Students can learn about these programs through the campus newspaper, fliers posted around campus, printed calendars of events, or visiting the on-line campus events calendar at http://events.sa.ucsb.edu.
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