The Office of Advising assigns a faculty advisor and peer mentor to each first-year student. Advisors and peer mentors assist first-year students in their academic and social transition to college life. Advisors play a key role in helping students learn policies and procedures, choose classes each term, and understand the campus culture. Peer Mentors teach students about campus resources and help them make connections to the people and values of campus.
During their first year, students enroll in either the First-Year Inquiry (FYI) or First-Year Honors (FYH) sequence during Fall and Spring semesters
First-year students might also enroll in courses within the six Learning Perspectives: the Arts, Human Existence and Values, Individuals and Society, Literature and Texts, the Natural World, and the Past. Students may also choose courses which offer a global or human diversity perspective.
Other courses include physical education activity classes and classes to complete the equivalent of at least one year of college-level second language study. Most first-year students will take three 4-credits courses during their first semester (a total of 12 credits.)