Describes and evaluates the University Seminar Program for incoming freshmen students which focuses on aspects of university, academic, and cultural life. Extensive evaluation of the program indicates that the seminar has been successful in providing new students with useful information and has influenced student retention. (RC)

Describes a community service-learning seminar for college freshmen, focusing on education for empowerment. Notes an inherent dichotomy: students need to learn specific, empowering ways to interact with community members even while confronting uncomfortable issues but remain empowered themselves by how the service-learning course is designed and…

Evaluated the effects of a freshman seminar incorporating academic advising in an integrated baccalaureate-medical degree program. Found that participating students were more satisfied, and that their biology grades and first-year grade point averages (GPAs) were higher. (EV)

A series of studies at one university based on annual data from 1973-88 compared sophomore return rates of participants vs. nonparticipants in freshman orientation seminars. Participants achieved significantly higher return rates in 11 of 16 years but not because they were brighter or more highly motivated students. (Author/MSE)

A freshman seminar offered at a women's college includes activities designed to enhance individual academic responsibility by assessing academic goals and evaluating progress toward them. Faculty advisor evaluation and student evaluation of the course indicate its usefulness. The exercises can be used in any developmental academic advisor-advisee…

Describes a study conducted by Northwest Missouri State University's library to determine which (if either) of two methods of reinforcing library orientation instruction elicited greater retention of information among freshman seminar students. A word find exercise completed by students individually and a Jeopardy-style game led by a librarian are…

To assist integration of incoming freshman into the academic environment, improve social acclimation, and increase student retention, Northern Michigan University created a first-year experience program with community as its central focus. Its key to success is the use of block scheduling, combining a freshman seminar with other classes. Pilot…

While an expansive body of literature exists on the performance and retention of first-year students, there is a paucity of research examining the persistence and attrition of faculty who teach these seminars and colloquia. The present survey of 18 full-time, first-year seminar faculty members at Northern Michigan University identifies marked…

This study evaluated the impact of a cluster program and the First Year Experience Seminar (First YES) on a variety of student outcomes at Boise State University in Idaho. To evaluate the cluster program, which included 57 students, a control group of 102 students was formed of similar students who were enrolled in the same core courses but not…

A national survey was conducted which examined the scope of freshman seminar programming, the characteristics of these seminars, and the variance between different types of freshman seminars with respect to their goals, topics addressed, and other characteristics. The study surveyed 2,460 regionally-accredited colleges and universities of whom…

Researchers have begun to analyze community college retention data in terms of students' stated objectives upon entry. By categorizing students based upon their most important reason for attending college, meaningful follow-up and assessment of students' goal attainment can be conducted. Program evaluation studies have produced evidence that…

Acknowledging that in this age of technology students need to learn how to integrate the values of both the humanities and science/technology, this paper describes a special nonclassroom, noncredit program to that end for college freshman honors students at the University of Evansville (Indiana). Following an introduction, the paper discusses the…

This volume reports on the sixth triennial National Survey of First-Year Seminar. Data from more than 600 colleges and universities are analyzed to offer information on the structure, content, and administration of these courses. Changes to the survey capture new information on innovative course practices including using undergraduates as…

An interview with David Riesman, founder of Harvard University's (Massachusetts) freshman seminar program, covers the origins and structure of the seminars, Riesman's own college experience, the importance of the college experience, faculty research, and the role of faculty in student intellectual development. (MSE)

The development of a freshman seminar at Ohio State University over 70 years is chronicled, looking at the impact of historical influences and the changing values of higher education on the character of the course. The structure and content of the current course are also outlined. (MSE)