Recommendations on How to Enhance the NU Freshman Educational Experience Senate Committee for Enrollment and Admission Policies (EAP)

EAP Committee Professor Jane Aroian, BCHS-Nursing Professor Stefano Basagni, COE-Electrical and Computer Professor Elizabeth A. Chilvers, CBA-Coop Anna Francesca Del Rosario, SGA Representative (*) Professor Marina A. Leslie, CSSH-English Vice Provost Susan Powers-Lee, Honors & First Year Programs Professor Gordana G. Todorov, Chair, COS-Mathematics (**) (*) Served in Fall Substituted by Bryan R. Mulcrone in Spring (**) Served in Fall Substituted by Stefano Basagni in Spring 2012.

Charge to the Committee In consultation with the Provost's Office, the deans, the division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and the undergraduate Student Government Association, the Committee on Enrollment and Admissions Policy will provide recommendations related to enhancing the freshman educational experience. These recommendations will take into account the University's strengths, evidence-based instructional and educational practices, and possible barriers to implementing new policies and procedures. The committee will submit a report to the Senate Agenda Committee that summarizes the Committee's findings and recommendations by December 15,

Background on NU Freshman Growing international population – From 3.5% (2006) to 16% (2011) Better prepared cohort – Mean combined SAT increased over 110 points Increasing number of transferred AP/IB credits – 2006: 30 students transferred 29+ AP credit hours – 2011: 171 students transferred 29+ AP credit hours Increased membership in the Honors Program – 2006: 10% of freshmen; 2011: Almost 20% 5

6 Freshman Characteristics (Fall ’06-’11) NU Cohort Size Mean Incoming GPA %%% Mean combined SAT score International Students US Citizens Honors Students # students w/1+ AP credit hours QPA after first year >0.0 to to to to to to to to

National Survey of Student Engagement (2009) NU Freshmen have indicated (relative to peer institutions): – Less interaction with faculty – Less reported work and lower perception of academically challenging courses – Less agreement that the institution emphasizes studying and academic work NU seniors perceptions paralleled or exceeded those at peer institutions 7

Background on the Current Freshman Experience NU Core is the heart of the freshman experience – Writing, Math level 1, Knowledge Domains Every college: 1-SH First-year Seminar (FYS) – Not in place for all majors Most colleges: Intro to experiential learning – Some: Freshman research; global studies through N.U.in; “Explore co-op,” a new data base 8

Background on the Current Freshmen Experience (cont.) Freshmen are required to live on campus – Every freshman becomes a member of a Living Learning Community (LLC) Freshmen are welcome in student organizations and some colleges have created mechanisms for guaranteeing freshman involvement 9

Recommendations to Enhance the Freshman Year Creation of resources for communicating best practices Diagnostic screening for students for whom English is not a native language Review of curricula to align with the high qualification of entering freshmen and their expectations Departments should review teaching assignments and TRACE, and ensure freshmen interaction with tenure-track faculty 10

Recommendations to Enhance the Freshman Year (cont.) Develop courses geared towards facilitating entering freshmen with AP/IB credits Develop challenging courses to serve Honors Program students Foster opportunities for freshmen/faculty and freshmen/upper-class student interaction – Including student organizations and LLC Senate and/or UUCC should examine the effect of increasing AP/IB credits on the NU Core intent for learning communities 11

Thank you. The EAP Committee 12