Students On the Road To Success ( SORTS) Orientation Meeting

1. Students On the Road To Success (SORTS)Orientation Meeting January 20, 2013

2. Today’s Schedule • Meet the Staff • Purpose of SORTS • Responsibilities of the Staff and Students • Role of Family and Friends • SORTS Specifics (GPA, classes, workshops) • Compliance with the Program • Students meet your Peer Mentor • Parents question and answer time

3. Purpose of SORTS Mission Students On the Road To Success (SORTS) provides support for students experiencing academic hardship as they learn to channel their energy towards activities that lead to academic success at Radford University.

4. Why did we choose YOU? ready for the challenge?

5. Responsibilities of SORTS students Each week: • Complete 6 hours of study hall • Attend Fridayworkshops • Meet with your Peer Mentor • If applicable, no more than 12 hours of employment per week Throughout the semester: • Meet with Michele, Kacey or Jackie (beginning & middle of semester) • Meet with Faculty Instructors • Meet with Academic Advisor • Attend EVERY and ALL classes • Maintain open communication • Find internal motivation • Take responsibility for personal success • Must remain in good disciplinary standing

6. Responsibilities of the SORTS Staff • Provide a supportive structure • Provide a quiet place to study • Meet with students individually • Address obstacles to success • Share skills of successful students • Serve as a liaison to campus resources • Provide skill development workshops • Challenge students to take responsibility

7. Peer Mentors will . . . . Peer Mentors will not . . . . • Provide a listening ear • Serve as a resource • Help you overcome barriers to academic success • Assist with study skills, time management, etc. • Help maintain a positive study environment • Allow you to make excuses • Be your surrogate parent • Be your secretary or personal assistant • Be a flawless idol The Peer Mentor Staff

8. Common pitfalls of SORTS students

9. Things to think about… Skit 1 • Common issue: Sleeping in and missing class • Take home message: Time is Money

10. Things to think about… Skit 2 • Common issue: Being a “YES person” • Take home message: Manage your time appropriately, prioritize, and remember: it’s okay to say NO!

11. Things to think about… Skit 3 • Common issue: Turning assignments in late • Take home message: Paying attention pays off, and honesty is important

12. Things to think about… Skit 4 • Common issue: Being afraid to ask for help • Take home message: You probably aren’t the only one with that question

13. Things to think about… Skit 5 • Uncommon issue: Getting arrested • Take home message: If you go to the Dublin Hotel (a.k.a. jail) you will be withdrawn from the University

14. Staying at RU To remain at RU you must • Earn a minimum spring GPA of 2.3 • Be a full time student (12 credits) • Not have any conduct problems Tips: • Quickest way to bring up your cumulative GPA  REPEAT CLASSES • “C”s do not help you – “B”s and “A”s • Talk regularly with your professors – show your interest in their courses • Focus on spring 2013 – Priorities! • When in doubt, defer to the wisdom of your advisor Greater Goal: CumulativeGPA of 2.0 to be in good academic standing at the end of spring

15. Power of the Repeat Class

16. Rules of study hall • You have been assigned 1.5 hours of study hall daily • Come prepared with more work than you can finish • If you arrive with no work to do, you will be asked to leave • Phones must be turned off (not silent) and put away • Breaks must be kept to a minimum • Keep a clean work area and always recycle • Be respectful to yourself and others • Be on time! 5 minutes BEFORE your scheduled time is “on time” • Do NOT leave early; stay for the entire scheduled time • Complete the scheduled amount of time at each session • If you are unable to attend study hall for any reason a written request must be submitted 24 hours in advance

17. What you can bring to study hall • Laptops • Only for academic work • You cannot view any of the following • Facebook • Blogs • Photos • Chats • Anything that is not directly tied to your classes • Snacks • Should not be loud • No more than one item • Should not be odorous • Music • Headphones must be worn • Music should not be heard by the person sitting next to you

18. Skill Development Workshops • Every Friday • Led by Michele, Kacey and Jackie • Students have been assigned their workshop time • Topics (others will be added as needed) • Talking to Faculty Instructors • Time Management • Study Skills & Note Taking • Balancing Academic & Social Life • Managing Relationships • Decision-Making

19. 1st week January 22-25 2nd week January 28- February 1 • Write down all assignments into your planner/calendar • Attend meeting with Peer Mentor • Complete 4.5 hours of study hall • Check RU e-mail daily & respond • Schedule & start meetings with Faculty Instructors • Meet with a Coordinator by 1/31 • Attend Friday workshop 1/25 • Submit semester calendar by 4pm Friday 1/25 • Attend meeting with Peer Mentor • Complete 6 hours of study hall • Check RU e-mail daily & respond • Finish meeting with Faculty Instructors • Meet with a Coordinator by 1/31 • Attend Friday workshop 2/1 • Submit Faculty Forms by 4pm Monday 2/4 The first two weeks

20. Role of Family & Friends • Support • Phone calls • Notes/cards of encouragement • Communication • Open and honest • Encourage your student to address problems • Decision Making • Help your student make the best choices • Talk through all major issues

21. If you do not follow the rules • First Violation • Verbal warning • Documented in your file • Second Violation • Written warning • Documented in your file • Parents notified • Third Violation • Administrative withdrawal from RU • Documented in your file • Documented with the Registrar’s Office

22. Examples of Violations • Violation #1: You do not submit your planner/calendar by Friday, January 25th by 4:00pm (verbal warning) • Violation #2: You miss your scheduled meeting with your Peer Mentor (written warning) • Violation #3: You decide to go out of town for the weekend and miss a scheduled workshop (removal from SORTS and RU)

23. “Success will not lower its standard to us.  We must raise our standard to success.” -Rev. Randall R. McBride, Jr. EXCUSES

24. Changes to your class schedule • Updates have been made to include repeat classes • Additional changes cannot be made without consulting both SORTS and your academic advisor If you need to make changes: • Meet tomorrow 1/21 at 1:30pm in Walker 153 • Meet tomorrow 1/21 10:00am-4:00pm Davis 131 to adjust your study hall time

25. Spring Check-In • Log onto your MyRU portal • Click on your Academics Tab • Click on the Student Check-in link • Confirm that you are attending this spring • Verify your contact information • Update your emergency contact information • After you update your information, return to the Student Check-In page and click the link titled "Click here to finish student check-in"

26. Students: give mom, dad, sibling, significant other a hug and kiss, you will see them in about 30 minutes

27. Questions and Answers