© 2006 Creighton University. All rights reserved. Do not duplicate without the permission of the copyright owner.

RATIO STUDIORUM PROGRAM – Board Presentation, March 6, 2006 RSP Planning Group: -- Dr. Pat Fleming, CCAS Dean’s Office -- Jack Walsh, Advising Resource Center -- Mary Higgins, Academic Affairs -- Sr. Annette Schmeling, Student Services -- Jim Bretl, Creighton Career Center

Goals of Ratio Studiorum Change the 1 st year freshman seminar to a more rigorous, graded course Change the 1 st year freshman seminar to a more rigorous, graded course Staff the 1 st year course with 100% faculty instructors Staff the 1 st year course with 100% faculty instructors Provide upperclassmen to these faculty for teaching assistance Provide upperclassmen to these faculty for teaching assistance Introduce a reading component for self-exploration and self-discovery Introduce a reading component for self-exploration and self-discovery Deliver more intentional and strong pre-major advising until student declares major Deliver more intentional and strong pre-major advising until student declares major Develop discernment activities and events for undecided students to guide them toward major declaration and career exploration Develop discernment activities and events for undecided students to guide them toward major declaration and career exploration

Ratio Studiorum -- Defined “Ratio Studiorum” emanates from a Jesuit “plan of studies” bearing the name “ Ratio atque Institutio Studiorum Societatis Jesu”, and adopted in 1599 as a formal program for study at the university level.

RSP 100*: “An Introduction to the Culture of Collegiate Life” Topics: Topics: the Ratio Studiorum at Creighton the Ratio Studiorum at Creighton Jesuit roots Jesuit roots the value of a liberal arts education the value of a liberal arts education academic and student integrity academic and student integrity obstacles to learning obstacles to learning A “Faculty Preceptor” will teach the RSP 100 course and will also serve as the first- year students’ academic advisor. A “Faculty Preceptor” will teach the RSP 100 course and will also serve as the first- year students’ academic advisor.

Ratio Studiorum Courses RSP 101 – The actual course that an incoming freshman will take from the College of Arts and Sciences. (39 sections) RSP 101 – The actual course that an incoming freshman will take from the College of Arts and Sciences. (39 sections) RSP 102 – The course in the School of Nursing (5 sections) RSP 102 – The course in the School of Nursing (5 sections) RSP 103 – The course in the College of Business Administration (10 sections) RSP 103 – The course in the College of Business Administration (10 sections) RSP 104 – The course for Honors students (2 sections) RSP 104 – The course for Honors students (2 sections) RSP 105 – The course for new Creighton transfer students (2 sections) RSP 105 – The course for new Creighton transfer students (2 sections)

Initial Success with RSP 100 All colleges are participating All colleges are participating A master syllabus has been approved by the faculty in each college A master syllabus has been approved by the faculty in each college The “ratio studiorum” idea was received very positively. The “ratio studiorum” idea was received very positively. Faculty training of high quality Faculty training of high quality In CCAS: In CCAS: 47 faculty signed up (42 needed) 27 faculty volunteered for a committee to choose books 22 books were recommended; library supporting efforts Decurion nominations considered a positive change by faculty and an honor by students.

RSP Peer Academic Leaders  “Decurion” - Latin term applied to the “advanced student.” The Decurion will be a junior or senior student nominated by a Faculty Preceptor. This peer leader will assist the Faculty Preceptor in the course and will teach several sessions.  “Beadle” - Another Latin term, roughly translated as “assistant.” The RSP Program will engage student “ambassadors” provided by the major department to serve as a resource. Beadles will already be declared majors. (Arts and Sciences Student Senate Program)

RSP 200: Pre-Major Advisors Pre-Major Advising staff includes 22 professional administrators at Creighton (non-faculty) Pre-Major Advising staff includes 22 professional administrators at Creighton (non-faculty) Will be chosen by freshman students in the spring term Will be chosen by freshman students in the spring term Pre-Major Advisors will be for undeclared students (Business and Nursing students won’t choose PMA’s) Pre-Major Advisors will be for undeclared students (Business and Nursing students won’t choose PMA’s) Students will register for RSP 200 when choosing fall classes in March & April Students will register for RSP 200 when choosing fall classes in March & April Students will “register” for Pre-Major Advisors much like an elective class Students will “register” for Pre-Major Advisors much like an elective class

RSP 200 Discernment Activities and Events Gallup Organization’s StrengthsQuest Gallup Organization’s StrengthsQuest Campbell Interest and Skills Survey Campbell Interest and Skills Survey Majors/Minors Fair & Related Activities Majors/Minors Fair & Related Activities Career Fair and Volunteer Events Career Fair and Volunteer Events Four-Year Planning Four-Year Planning Externship and Shadowing Programs Externship and Shadowing Programs Career and Discernment Speakers Career and Discernment Speakers FOCUS – online educational and career planning tool FOCUS – online educational and career planning tool Major/Minor Declaration Day Major/Minor Declaration Day

Pre-Major Advisor Website Current freshman will be choosing their Pre-Major Advisor in three weeks when they register for classes. Current freshman will be choosing their Pre-Major Advisor in three weeks when they register for classes. Website is being designed by Creighton student Marie Young -- Website is being designed by Creighton student Marie Young --

© 2006 Creighton University. All rights reserved. Do not duplicate without the permission of the copyright owner.