UTPA Freshman

UTPA Freshman/Transfer
Student-Athlete Discovery Program

Mission Statement

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Academic Services Program is committed to providing a combination of comprehensive and contemporary methods to better educate and prepare incoming student-athletes for success within The University of Texas-Pan American community. As a result, the Freshman/Transfer Orientation Program is offered to all incoming student-athletes who enter UTPA during the fall semester. This program was created to address some of the more important needs of incoming student-athletes as they embark on their academic and athletic careers at UTPA. It will provide participating student-athletes with viable and realistic strategies to unlock their full potential academically, athletically, and personally.

Description

This is a "discovery" program for all incoming freshmen and transfer student-athletes attending The University of Texas-Pan American during the Fall 2003 semester. The program will address and explore current/relevant topics integral to facilitating the adjustment and transition to life at University in general but in particular, at The University of Texas-Pan American.

Introduction

Arriving at University or a new campus can be both an exciting and overwhelming experience for entering freshman and even for transfer student-athletes. In order to best prepare new student-athletes to the new surroundings of UTPA and the Rio Grande Valley, the UTPA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics' Academic Support & Student Services unit has pledged to take an active role in guiding new student-athletes through this transition. Both the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and UTPA place high academic demands on all student-athletes while simultaneously acknowledging that they must learn how to effectively balance the demands of intercollegiate competition and the academic rigors of university. In addition, many of our newest student-athletes find themselves away from home for the first time and may feel alone in an environment completely new to them. Things that we may take for granted, such as the campus, classes, and the library system may all seem intimidating to some.

The Academic Support & Student Services staff is committed to providing a combination of comprehensive and contemporary methods to better educate and prepare incoming student-athletes for academic success. As a result, the Freshman/Transfer Student-Athlete Discovery program is provided to all new student-athletes entering UTPA during the current Fall 2003 semester. It is intended that this program will provide participating student-athletes with viable and realistic strategies to unlock their full potential as both students and athletes while navigating the transition to life at UTPA. Through an integrated program covering the key areas of academics, social and personal development, the Freshman/Transfer Student-Athlete Discovery Program, combined with the NCAA CHAMPS/Bronc Life Skills program, will position incoming student-athletes to make the most of their transition to university life and life at UTPA.

The Program

The Discovery program will span 9 weeks and will consist of 9 sessions and in most instances, unless otherwise noted, the sessions will be offered Tuesday evenings at 6:00pm sharp in the Engineering Auditorium (Rm 1.300). If you cannot make any of the scheduled sessions, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact the Assistant AD for Academic Support & Student Services.

The Discovery program may utilize the skills and abilities of qualified Athletics staff as well as other University faculty/staff and resources. Guest speakers and group activities will be utilized where possible in order for the student-athletes to begin networking in order to make valuable contacts at UTPA. All participating student-athletes will receive credit towards mandatory weekly study-hall hours for their participation in this program

FRESHMAN/TRANSFER STUDENT-ATHLETE ORIENTATION - PROGRAM OUTLINE
FALL SEMESTER, 2003
WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION, SYLLABUS REVIEW AND STUDENT-ATHLETE INTRODUCTIONS
September 10, 2003	Wednesday	6:00p.m.	Science Building Rm. 1.288
This session will welcome all freshmen and transfer student-athletes to the program. Time will be spent on reviewing the program syllabus while also getting to know fellow student-athletes.
WEEK 2: ALCOHOL 101-INTERACTIVE CD-ROM
September 17, 2003	Wednesday	6:00 p.m.	Science Building Rm. 1.288
This session will be to educate student-athletes in making responsible decisions about alcohol consumption and to understand the negative consequences of making bad decisions.
WEEK 3: NCAA LEGISLATION
September 24, 2003	Wednesday	6:00 p.m.	Science Building Rm. 1.288
This session will enable the UTPA Assistant AD for Compliance Services/SWA to address certain issues dealing with NCAA legislation. It will also provide student-athletes a forum to ask compliance related questions.
WEEK 4: TRANSITIONS-AN OPEN FORUM
October 1, 2003	Wednesday	6:00p.m.	Science Building Rm. 1.288
This session will address issues pertaining to the transition to University life while providing new student-athletes a live forum where they can ask/address certain questions/issues pertaining to the transition to university and life on campus
WEEK 5: SUCCESSFUL CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
October 8, 2003	Wednesday	6:00p.m.	Science Building Rm. 1.288
This session will present strategies on how to be a successful student. The UTPA Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) will speak to student-athletes about developing a rapport with faculty and the importance of communication.
WEEK 6: TIME MANAGEMENT-DEVELOPING SOUND STRATEGIES
October 15, 2003	Wednesday	6:00p.m.	Science Building Rm. 1.288
This session will address the finer points of effective time management, focusing on the day-to-day time demands of the student-athlete.
WEEK 7: DEALING WITH DIVERSITY-CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
October 22, 2003	Wednesday	6:00p.m.	Science Building Rm. 1.288
The goal of this session will be to effectively address diversity issues as they pertain to your role as a student-athlete and life on the UTPA campus. This session will be highly interactive in order to stimulate discussion on issues related to diversity and social injustice.
WEEK 8: ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT AND PRIORITY REGISTRATION
October 29, 2003	Wednesday	6:00p.m.	Science Building Rm. 1.288
This session will outline the process of seeking mandatory academic advisement at the departmental or college level at UTPA. Advisement must be sought prior to priority registration as it is afforded to student-athletes.
WEEK 9: WRAP-UP AND ORIENTATION EVALUATION
November 5, 2003	Wednesday	6:00p.m.	Science Building Rm. 1.288
Participating student-athletes will have the opportunity to evaluate the orientation program.