In an effort to immediately engage new students with the NEIU community, the University implemented a First-Year Experience (FYE) program following a one-year pilot program for the fall 2007 semester. All incoming freshman (students who have completed fewer than 30 hours of course study) are required to participate in this program, which incorporates course work, community involvement and aca¬demic advisement.

The program, which carries a theme of "Diversity in Chicago," offers a series of 20 interactive courses among a variety of disciplines titled Freshman Colloquium. One of the principal objectives of the FYE program is to assist students in making a successful transition from high school to university. University faculty and staff members involved in this program directly guide students in their development of learning and study skills as well as written and oral communication skills.

Laura Sanders, professor, earth science, who teaches the FYE course "Chicago Rocks! Geology in the City," said that the FYE classes address that issue explicitly by integrating the course content with topics that help the students learn. For instance, her students are taught to identify their own learning preferences by studying the same material in different ways.

"Students do a reading about igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, some of which are found in the Chicagoland area. Then they look at photographs and hand samples of the different kinds of rocks. Finally, they interact in a group to study each type of rock in a specific way. The students then reflect on their experiences and determine their prefer¬ence. As a result, they learn the geologic content but also learn an academic sur¬vival skill," she said.

In addition to the classroom work, students will work in small groups to participate in field work throughout the city. Sand¬ers said, "The course is very hands on with lots of group interaction and field trips. As a result, the students get to know each other and, we hope, establish friendships that will see them through their time at NEIU."