Summer Groups Program gives freshmen a head start

For many the transition from high school to college can be a difficult experience, especially since not all advance to finish their college degree. In order to assist first generation college students, the Groups Program will be hosting 297 new IU freshmen for the next six weeks as part of the Summer Experience Program to help them build friendships and the confidence they will need to achieve their collegiate goals. \nTo be eligible for Groups, a student must come from parents who have both not graduated from a four year institution. In addition, Groups students must also come from either a low-income household or possess a physical handicap. \nThe focus of the Summer Experience Program is to provide the students with the opportunity to experience college level work before the fall semester begins. \n"Students are required to take three courses: one English class, one math class and one critical reading and reasoning class," said Shelley Deaton, graduate assistant and alumna of the program. "Over half of the students take an additional elective course." \nShe said these classes offers an introduction to college and the responsibilities students must adhere to before the campus fills with additional distractions. The classes offer the students a new challenge while providing a community of support. \n"The goal is getting the students adjusted to college life in order for them to persist and graduate," Deaton said. \nThe community of support is extensive. Tutoring is available on nearly every subject; math, English and general advice on study-techniques are all available. Faculty and staff for Student Excellence mentors are also available to students. During the week of orientation, Groups students will tour the major facilities and offices frequented by students, such as the IU Health Center, bursar's office and the financial aid office. Workshops include introducing students to the process of applying for financial aid. \nThe students are presented as many as 15 social programs a day before classes begin. \n"The goal is to help them want to stay here instead of go home," Deaton said. \nOne evening they may watch a movie and another card tournament will be hosted. "Spades and Euchre" are two of the games of choice, Deaton said, but there is "no gambling allowed." \nStrict regulations are enforced for the Groups students. Grade requirements are significantly higher for Groups students than for those for non-Groups students. While a non-Groups student may continue their education beyond their first six credit hours with only a 1.3 GPA, a Groups student is released from the program for achieving less than a 2.0 GPA. Also, where a first time drinking violation for a non-Groups student is punished by the judicial board, during the Summer Experience Program a Groups student will be sent home, said Associate Director for Student Support Roger Gildersleeve. \nAll of these regulations are listed in the Student Partnership Agreement contract every Groups student and their parents must sign. In addition, all groups students are mandated to attend every class during the summer program. Groups students are also not allowed to pledge to any greek organization during their freshman year. \nThe program is designed to instruct the students on a variety of issues -- both educational as well as matters to help the succeed on their own for the first time. \n"First and foremost we want to teach what academic excellence is about persistence and good citizenship," Gildersleeve said. \nGildersleeve said academic excellence is persistence which involves mandatory class attendance, the enforced GPA and exposing the students to all of the resources available to them. \n"Good citizenship involves teaching and enforcing classroom and social demeanor, as well as respect for each other and each other's differences," Gildersleeve said.