OUS Newsletter 2005-2006

Contents

Transfer Students
OASIS Activities for December 2005
Blood Drive Sponsored by NU Connections

National Scholarship Updates
UCARE Deadline - February 10, 2006

Special Announcement

Transfer Students

According to the Institute for the Study of Transfer Students, one-third of college seniors have transferred at some point during their college careers. Nationally, about 40% of the students who began in 1995-1996 had attended at least two institutions over the six-year period, and 11% were at some point co-enrolled in more than one college. At University of Nebraska–Lincoln, transfer students make up more than one quarter of all entering students each academic year.

Transfer students have a shorter time on campus to build relationships, locate resources, and participate in activities. They are also more likely to live off campus and spend more hours caring for family members. Yet in most ways, transfer students are indistinguishable from students who began their studies here.

Recognizing that transfer students at UNL are a population with unique challenges, the Office of Undergraduate Studies provides specific programming for this group of students. Besides making sure their transfer credits apply toward their degrees, these students must acclimate to a new culture. The Academic Transfer Coordinator manages the course equivalencies and assists students through the process of transfer credit evaluation. Additionally, she provides information to transfer students by way of a weekly electronic newsletter called the Transfer Connection, which is part continuing orientation, part newsletter, and part personal connection. Over fourteen hundred students receive the Transfer Connection as an email and can easily reply to the email with questions. A number of advisers on campus and at Nebraska community colleges receive the e-newsletter. Archived editions may be found at: http://www.unl.edu/ous/student_programs/connection.shtml

Anyone wishing to receive the Transfer Connection should email a request with your name and email address to JoAnn Moseman, Academic Transfer Coordinator at jmoseman2@unl.edu.

Announcements & Events

OASIS Activities for December 2005

• December 1 - Helpful Hints for Final Exams, 6:00-7:00 p.m., Culture Center

Contact the Office of Academic Support and Intercultural Services (OASIS) for more information.

Blood Drive Sponsored by NU Connections

NU Connections will be sponsoring a Blood Drive on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Culture Center. If you are interested in donating, please contact Cameya Ramirez at 472-7723.

National Scholarship Updates

Rhodes Scholarship Finalist

Congratulations to Garth Glissman (History and Political Science)! Garth was a finalist in the Rhodes competition this year. He traveled to Des Moines in November for the district Rhodes interviews.

Next Round of Scholarships: Goldwater, Truman, and Udall

Applicants for these scholarships should have already spoken with Dr. Damuth. (The campus deadline for all three scholarships was November 15.)

Second Semester Scholarship Class

UHON 198H - Scholarship Workshop – 2 credits
Call # 6492, Section 002

When: Mondays, 4-5
Where: Neihardt
Class limit: 12, by permission
P/F only

This is a class intended for juniors (or super-seniors) to work on their scholarship applications including the following items: personal statements, resumes, help with obtaining good letters of recommendation, research on graduate school programs, and opportunities to interact with other students who are going through the same process. Focus will be on the following scholarships: Rhodes, Marshall, Gates-Cambridge, Truman, and Fulbright. A completed application is the goal at the end of the class.

UCARE Deadline - February 10, 2006

Applications for UCARE 2006-07 are due on Friday, February 10, 2006. Applications are available on the UCARE website. Faculty are invited to post UCARE opportunities (a brief description plus contact information) on the website. For more information or to post an opportunity please contact Laura Damuth, Ldamuth1@unl.edu.

Dr. Rita Kean, Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Professor of Textiles, Clothing and Design
Jamar Banks, Interim Director of OASIS
Dr. Patrice Berger, Director of NU Honors Program and Professor of History
Dr. Laura Damuth, Director of Undergraduate Research and Fellowship Advisor
Dr. Donald Gregory, Director of General Studies and Associate Professor of English
Gail Hackwith, Administrative Assistant
Dr. Jessica Jonson, University-wide Assessment Coordinator
Jennifer Lantz, Staff Assistant
JoAnn Moseman, Academic Transfer Coordinator
Dr. Debra Mullen, Academic Learning Communities Coordinator