Groups program prepares to welcome new freshmen for Saturday orientation

Junior Julius Mayes has been a member of IU’s Groups Student Support Service program since 2005. And even though Groups is geared more toward freshmen and sophomores, he still enjoys the resources it has to offer. \n“(Groups) provides an alternative for resources,” Mayes said. “It’s an incredible experience.” \nGroups summer orientation will begin June 16 and run until Aug. 3. During the summer, Groups usually has 250 to 300 students who are given the opportunity for academic enhancement and a chance to get acclimated to the campus. \nGroups students will stay during the summer and advance their college experience before August. \n“Summer is to provide that opportunity to understand what college life is about and to really get a great footing into what a professor would want out of a student, what it’s like to live in a dorm (and) what it’s like to get involved with diverse students,” said Director Janice Wiggins. \nThe Groups program began in 1968 to provide students a way to gain access to higher education. A select group of faculty was sent out to recruit young students, and the program began after they recruited 43 students. \nIn order to be eligible for Groups, a student must be a first-generation college student from Indiana. Other criteria for admission include coming from a low-income family and/or having a learning disability. Wiggins said in order to even be considered, a student needs a recommendation. \nMayes added that he was able to meet other black students through the Groups and that the program added to his cultural experience on campus. He also said he feels Groups is one of the greatest programs IU has implemented for minorities. \nAssociate Director for Student Support Roger Gildersleeve explained that during the summer, Groups has to set up the students in dorms and classes as well as schedule advising appointments for them. \n“It’s more work to prepare for than it is really to deal with them that day,” Gildersleeve said. \nGildersleeve said the students attend classes two hours a day for five days a week. During select days, they have other activities such as meetings or activities with their class.\n“It’s a very intense program,” Gildersleeve said. “It’s like boot camp – at the end of boot camp, we always say, ‘Ah, it was no big deal,’ but every day we were sweating the load.” \nWiggins added that during the summer, Groups students have to take six to eight credits to contribute toward their electives for graduation. Each student must earn a 2.0 GPA in order to remain in the program, she said. \nAfter the summer is over, Groups provides the students with resources through their sophomore year, and then they move into their academic studies. Students are allowed to come back during their junior and senior years. \n“Once a Groups student, always a Groups student,” Wiggins said.