First-Year Experience

The First-Year Experience
Ithaca College recognizes the importance of strengthening the student connection to the College during the first year and to lay the foundation for student success throughout the four years of student progress towards the degree. That foundation is both academic and developmental, that is, student success depends upon access to academic services when needed and upon the ability of the student to engage meaningfully in the life of the College. The first-year student who is constructively engaged is likely to have an academically rewarding experience at the College and, therefore, is more likely to persist to graduation.

Student engagement in the life of the College through shared experience is critical to intellectual and personal development, and it connects the work of Academic and Student Affairs to student learning and success.  We recognize that the first-year student who is engaged, and who has developed the skills to become a self-directed learner, is more likely to persist to graduation. 

Mission
The mission of the First-Year Experience is to assist new students in making a successful transition to college and to provide them with the basis for fostering lifelong learning and the commitment to active membership in a diverse community. 

Statement of Purpose
The First-Year Experience is an institutional initiative that utilizes a student centered approach designed to foster learning and achievement inside and outside of the classroom.  This approach incorporates both the academic and personal dimensions of student development and provides seamless academic and student affairs programs and services. 

Such an approach is designed to cultivate students’ self-directed learning and achievement through their engagement in the college community.  Through active community membership inside and outside the classroom students will learn to value a diversity of ideas, cultures, experiences, and people and will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for a commitment to citizenship and service.

Goals of the First-Year Experience

• To establish a connection to the college 
• To engage in a shared learning experience
• To acquire knowledge and skills for self–directed learning and academic achievement
• To understand the roles and responsibilities and benefits of membership in a community of learners
• To expose students to diverse ideas, experiences, and people
• To provide students with services and support to be academically and socially successful