This fall, students living in Cheyenne Arapahoe have the option of taking a class taught in the dorm designed to connect students and integrate them into college life.
The class, called ARSC 1001, The Contemporary University and Student Citizens or “CU 101,” strives to strengthen student skills in critical thinking, enhance student ability to understand perspectives of others and learn how to react to new experiences faced in college.
“The class is aimed at providing students with the knowledge and understanding of this university, and their place in it, so that they can succeed at CU-Boulder,” said Michael Grant, associate vice chancellor for undergraduate education.
In 2007, the course was a requirement for all first-year students living in Cheyenne Arapahoe, but is now offered in fall 2008 as an elective for two credit hours and at no cost to students.
There has been some concern as to whether or not this transition class is actually benefitting students.
Kendall Frost, a freshman environmental design major, is a resident of Cheyenne Arapahoe but is not currently taking the class.
In fact, Kendall says she didn’t know the course was offered, but even without it she has found the transition to CU life a breeze.
“I’m not in CU 101, and I actually hadn’t even heard of it,” Frost said. “I don’t really think I would have taken a class designed to make the transition (to college) easier, simply because transitioning just takes time, and the more time you have to relax, do fun stuff, and hang out with friends, the better!”
Freshmen who live in other dorms, without the CU 101 opportunities, echo Frost’s sentiments.
“I think transition has been slow but good,” said Jenna Feldman, an 18-year-old freshman psychology major. “It’s something we have to learn on our own; we can’t be taught it.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Emily Zarka at Emily.zarka@colorado.edu.
