Welcome to a select group of quality individuals who share similar interests: freshman student success and increasing retention/graduation rates. UNIVERSITY 101-Freshman Seminar began at MTSU during Fall 1987, due to a handful of interested faculty members and administrators. Since its inception, with an initial enrollment of 45, the student enrollment has grown, as has the quality of the entire program. Fall 1998 semester will boast an enrollment of approximately 1350 students. First to second year retention rates for UNIV 101 students are 9% higher, on the average, than retention rates for non-UNIV 101 freshmen. Expansion of the program includes an increase in on-campus sections as well as in off-campus offerings. For example, UNIV 101 has been successfully taught at Page High School, Franklin, TN, for high school seniors, Ingram Publishing Company, and Saturn Corporation. Further expansion of off-site sections continues.
Quality 101 faculty are recruited from existing faculty and administrators. Faculty are assigned mentors, involved in annual training activities, and attend national conferences. In addition, faculty are evaluated, following the standard MTSU faculty evaluation process.
Promotion of UNIV 101 includes participation at CUSTOMS with both parents and students, direct mailings to incoming freshmen, "student-to-student" advertising, and a new promotional video, to name a few.