Students On the Road To Success (SORTS)

Orientation Meeting

January 20, 2013

Today’s ScheduleMeet the StaffPurpose of SORTSResponsibilities of the Staff and

StudentsRole of Family and FriendsSORTS Specifics (GPA, classes, workshops)

Compliance with the ProgramStudents meet your Peer MentorParents question and answer time

Purpose of SORTS

MissionStudents 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.

Why did we

choose YOU?

ready for the challenge?

Responsibilities of SORTS studentsEach week:

◦ Complete 6 hours of study hall◦ Attend Friday workshops◦ 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

Responsibilities of the SORTS Staff

Provide a supportive structure Provide a quiet place to studyMeet with students individually Address obstacles to successShare skills of successful studentsServe as a liaison to campus resourcesProvide skill development workshopsChallenge students to take

responsibility

The Peer Mentor Staff

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

COMMON PITFALLS

OF SORTS STUDENTS

Things to think about…

Skit 1

Common issue: Sleeping in and missing class

Take home message: Time is Money

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!

Things to think about…

Skit 3

Common issue: Turning assignments in late

Take home message: Paying attention pays off, and honesty is important

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

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

Staying at RUTo 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: Cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be in good academic standing at the end

of spring

Power of the Repeat Class

First Semester No Repeats Two Repeats

History F

CORE 101 D

Math D

Music D

UNIV 100 B

Sem GPA .92

Cum GPA .92

Sociology C

Art B

ITEC B

Health B

Economics C

Sem GPA 2.60

Cum GPA 1.82

History C

CORE 101 B

ITEC B

Health B

Economics C

Sem GPA 2.60

CUM GPA 2.18

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

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

Skill Development Workshops

Every FridayLed by Michele, Kacey and JackieStudents have been assigned their

workshop timeTopics (others will be added as needed)

Talking to Faculty Instructors Time ManagementStudy Skills & Note TakingBalancing Academic & Social Life Managing RelationshipsDecision-Making

The first two weeks

1st week January 22-252nd 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

Role of Family & FriendsSupport

◦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

If you do not follow the rulesFirst 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

Examples of ViolationsViolation #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)

EXCUSES

“Success will not lower its standard to us. 

We must raise our standard to success.”

-Rev. Randall R. McBride, Jr.

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

Spring Check-InLog 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"

Students: give mom, dad, sibling,

significant other a hug and kiss, you will see

them in about 30 minutes

Questions and

Answers