List of SJE Programs
Academic:
1. A Night out at the Tomchin Planetarium. On a Friday evening during the Spring Semester (April 24, 2009), the dean will take ten students to the Tomchin Planetarium for a show and dinner afterward in downtown Morgantown.
2. Pierpont Hall. Upper-class residence hall that welcomes sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Apartment-style living right on campus; individually keyed bedrooms; fabulous location; spacious two and three bedroom floor plans; fully equipped kitchens with dishwaters and microwaves; fully furnished apartments; utilities included; free basic cable; high speed internet access; incredible closet space; individual climate control for heat and air conditioning; resident faculty leaders to provide academic and social support and guidance.
3. Faculty Dinner Series. This program began in fall 2006 and features three Faculty Dinner Series per semester in the Mountainlair. Each dinner has a theme based upon the expertise of the faculty who is speaking, and provides an opportunity for students to connect with faculty on a more personal level and explore different areas in which they might have an interest.
4. Sophomore/Junior Office Hours with the Dean. Each Monday the Dean has set aside office hours from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. where he will meet with any sophomore or junior who needs to talk with him. Students can stop in room 206 Elizabeth Moore Hall for their walk-in appointment. (If a sophomore or junior needs to see the Dean any time other than his set hours for them, they are welcome to make an appointment)
5. SOAR Program (Sophomore Outdoor Adventure Reorientation). SOAR is an experiential education course which is now in its third year. Students travel for two weeks at the end of their first year and then meet in the fall to complete the course. The participants in May 2005 canoed the Boundary Waters of Wisconsin. The May 2006 and 2007 SOAR participants visited the Rocky Mountains and Desert Southwest. This course helps students reflect on their first year and learn about themselves, develop leadership and healthy living skills, discuss and prepare for sophomore year expectations, and form lasting friendships with other students.
6. Sophomore Retreats. SJE will partner with the Mountaineer Adventure Program to hold Retreats in fall 2009 for sophomores and juniors. The Retreats will be held at the new WVU Challenge Course. Each day–long retreat will provide students a selection of classes that will be offered in many areas such as wellness, exercise, or personal reflection. Student will have the opportunity to master a ropes course, make new friends, learn something new, enjoy a beautiful region of West Virginia, and much more.
7. Sophomore/Junior Fair. A fall event held in the student union for sophomores and juniors where they can explore everything from studying abroad to internships, career choices, and more!
8. Sophomore Survival Class. A class to ensure the success of WVU sophomores is currently in the planning stages. This class will be offered to all sophomores in the spring semester and will feature topics such as how to live on your own and the right choices to make for your career.
9. Sophomore TA’s for U101. SJE and University 101 are planning to offer TA positions in U101 (first-year orientation class) for credit to sophomores. This will enable sophomores to mentor their first-year students in their class as well as help to lighten the teaching load for Residence Hall Assistants.
10. Spiral Notebooks. During Welcome Week, the Sophomore/Junior Year Experience program distributes free spiral notebooks to all sophomores and juniors. SJE has partnered with ABS Notebooks to provide notebooks that have programming and resource information which is valuable to sophomores’ and juniors’ success during the academic year.
11. Tips for Success. A postcard with tips to help all incoming sophomores and juniors succeed in their upcoming year is handed out at the Experience WVU table during Welcome Week. This postcard is also distributed to the many off-campus and on-campus housing complexes where sophomores and juniors live.
12. Welcome Week. SJE has partnered with the University 101 Program to welcome students back to campus. Welcome Week is held the first week of classes. Folders outlining upcoming events and opportunities for sophomores and juniors are available for those who stop by. Free gifts are provided for all sophomores and juniors who visit the Experience WVU table during Welcome Week.
13. Orientation 151 for Freshmen/Sophomores. (2 hour course – Available as classroom or on-line course.) The Career Services Center offers a two-credit, graded course, Orientation 151, Career Series—Career Planning and Exploration, listed under Orientation in the Schedule of Courses. This class is designed for freshman/sophomore undergraduate students who have not firmly committed to a major or a career. Students explore: skills, interests, and values clarification; decision making; career resources on campus; employment outlook; and career options. All work is activity based and there are no tests. (On-line course work is submitted by e-mail.) Orientation 151 is offered in Fall and Spring semesters and is offered as distance education web courses or in a classroom. Orientation 151 is only offered in Summer I and II as a distance education web exclusive course.
14. Orientation 252 for Juniors/Seniors (2 hour course – Available as classroom or on-line course.) The Career Services Center offers a two-credit, graded course, Orientation 252, Career Series—The Job Search, listed under Orientation in the Schedule of Courses. This class deals with the job search as related to the college major and career. Practical and proven strategies and exercises for establishing and succeeding in careers are emphasized. Skills and interest assessments are part of the course. Guidelines for successful job searches including researching prospective employers, resume and cover letter writing, effective interview techniques and procedures, as well as career development issues are covered. Critical thinking skills and internet research related to careers are also developed. All work is activity based and there are no tests. (On-line course work is submitted by e-mail.) Orientation 252 is offered in Fall and Spring semesters and is offered as distance education web courses. Orientation 252 is only offered in Summer I and II as a distance education web course.
15. MountaineerTrak Seminar Series. Also for Juniors/Seniors – Wednesday’s at 4:00 p.m. at the WVU Career Services Center (above the WVU Bookstore beside the Mountainlair) 2nd session will start Mid-Semester.
Dates:
3/11 -Job Search Process (when, where, how)
3/25 -Resume writing
4/1 -Cover letters/Thank you letters
4/8 -How to look for a JOB/Networking
4/15 -Interviewing questions/techniques
4/22 -Dressing/Dining for the interview
4/29 -Job offer/Benefits review
Cultural:
16. New York City Trip. Planned for fall 2009 is a bus trip to New York City. 50 students will embark on a trip to New York where they will see a Broadway Play, dine at a fine restaurant, and explore the rest of the city at their own leisure.
17. Patagonia, Chile Trip. Students can experience international travel by electing to join the Adventure WV and Extension staff on an 18-day exploration of the Aysén region of Chile, beginning in December 2007 and returning January 2008. Participants will earn six credits as they head to the opposite side of the world in the wild and mysterious area of the southern hemisphere known as Patagonia. This incredible landscape is filled with endless glaciers, old-growth beech forests, and glittering lakes. It will be summer when they arrive for an adventure filled with new experiences: fly fishing, sea kayaking, glacier hikes, and mountain treks. They will be immersed in the unique traditions of life in Aysén, with plenty of chances for cultural exchange. They are sure to fit in as long as they have an adventurous spirit.
18. Washington, DC Trips. Each semester, SJE (fall 2008 SJE partnered with The Ridge residence hall) takes a group of sophomores and juniors to Washington, DC where they see a Shakespeare play, have dinner in a nice restaurant, and explore all that DC has to offer.
19. Sophomore Trip to Korea. We encourage our first-year students to focus on becoming true Mountaineers and acclimating to West Virginia University. We provide opportunities for first-year students to study abroad for a week-long spring break trip. Plans are underway for when a student transitions to being a sophomore or junior, to offer them an opportunity to participate in a three-week study abroad trip which will in turn help to prepare them for a semester-long study abroad trip in their following year at WVU. Students will travel to Korea to study for three weeks and enroll in a follow-up course in the fall semester following the trip.
Social:
20. 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. This fall event is co-sponsored with the Student Recreation Center and the Basketball office, and is marketed to all sophomores. The tournament began in 2004 with twenty teams and over thirty teams signed up for fall 2008. Each participant receives a t-shirt, and the winners of the tournament receive official WVU basketball sweat suits. Entry fees are collected and given as a donation to the United Way. Another tournament is planned in fall 2009.
21. E. Moore Hall Tailgate. Experience WVU has combined efforts with other student services on campus to offer a pre-game celebration for students. This celebration offers two hours of free games, prizes, entertainment, and food on a football game day (or Friday before a Saturday game) in Elizabeth Moore Hall.
22. Fright Farm Trip. Each fall semester sophomores and juniors sign up for the fright of their life! A VIP tent is provided with pizza and snacks as well as a bonfire to roast marshmallows.
23. Ice Skating Pizza Party. Each spring semester a bus of sophomores and juniors descend upon the Morgantown Ice Skating Rink for a fun night of skating and pizza. The cost is free for all sophomores and juniors who sign up for the trip.
Communication:
24. SJE Newsletter. A monthly newsletter is sent to all sophomores and juniors beginning fall semester 2008. The newsletter will feature items such as a message from the Dean, features on various programs and events beneficial for sophomores and juniors, upcoming events, and spotlights on a faculty member and a sophomore or junior.
25. SJE Website http://sophomorejunioryear.experience.wvu.edu/.
This website was created to inform and update sophomores and juniors on everything from getting involved to getting a job. The Sophomore/Junior Year Experience website outlines programs, activities, and services that will help ensure that a student’s middle college years are successful.
