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Academic Center for Enrichment
The Academic Center for Enrichment offers programming and services that enhance student academic growth, success, and persistence toward the goal of attaining a college degree. This includes providing a testing center and support for students with disabilities, academic counseling, and tutorial services. The “Opportunities for Academic Success in Studies” (OASIS), and the “Study Acceleration: Gaining Excellence” (SAGE) programs also provide additional help for student success.
ACE also maintains a learning skills library and numerous resources that emphasize the development of time management, study skills, and decision-making skills. Academic counselors are available to work with the student on an individual basis regarding academic counseling, study skills, and other academic concerns.
All programs are housed on the first floor of St. Francis Hall.
Opportunities for Academic Success in Studies (OASIS) Program
The program is designed for first-year students who, upon applying for admission, have demonstrated a need for academic support and whose secondary school records indicate potential for college success. Students in the program receive extra support for their academic and social transition to college. The program teaches and reinforces important academic skills, while also introducing them to services across campus that will help them succeed.
Upon admission to the program, students sign an agreement that outlines the requirements for program participation. These consist of mandatory peer tutorials, academic counseling, and enrollment in GEN 111 (College Success Strategies I) in the fall semester and GEN 112 (College Success Strategies II) in the spring semester.
Course Descriptions:
GEN 111: College Success Strategies I: (3 credits) College Success Strategies focuses on areas where students need assistance, awareness, and extra support during the first semester. Course topics include the following: assessment and improvement of critical reading skills, understanding college demands, learning styles, time management, note taking, information literacy and technology skills. The course also introduces students to important offices across campus. Fall. Required for all OASIS students. Others by approval of the Director of the Academic Center for Enrichment.
GEN 112: College Success Strategies II: (1 credit) Students will build upon the study skills mastered in GEN 111 and continue to develop critical reading skills appropriate to grade level. Spring. Prerequisite: GEN 111, or by approval of the Director of the Academic Center for Enrichment.
Study Acceleration: Gaining Excellence (SAGE) Program
The SAGE Program is designed for students who are experiencing academic difficulties. All students on academic probation are required to participate and meet all of the requirements of the program throughout the semester. Students in good academic standing may also choose to participate in the program or may be required to do so as a requirement of their academic warning status. The program provides students with a structured study environment for six hours weekly under the supervision of University faculty and staff who serve as their SAGE Coach. In addition, services that include study skills seminars, peer tutoring, academic counseling, and basic study skills assessment are available each semester. While SAGE is not mandatory for part-time students, those students are encouraged to participate. Students will sign an agreement at the beginning of the semester that outlines the expectations for program participation. Students who do not comply with the requirements of the program may be subject to dismissal.
Testing Center
The Academic Center for Enrichment in St. Francis Hall provides five private testing rooms for students in need of a distraction-free environment for their exams. These rooms are electronically monitored and need to be reserved in advance. Additional accommodations are available as needed.
The Academic Center for Enrichment also has information available for the following national standardized exams:
• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) *
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
• Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers (PRAXIS)
*Administered at Saint Francis University by ACE.
Tutorial Services
The Tutorial Services offered on campus are an important component of academic success. Qualified undergraduate tutors are available to all students at no charge. Tutorial sessions are offered on either an individual or group basis. The Tutor Coordinator strives to select the best match between tutors and students when making assignments. For high demand curriculums, such as Biology and Chemistry, group tutoring programs are available for the duration of every semester. These programs are conducted by undergraduate students who have excelled in their major and received a recommendation from their professors. These students are also in constant contact with professors throughout the semester to provide updates.
Our tutoring program is certified through the International Tutor Certification Program sponsored by the College Reading and Learning Association. Any tutor that earns a regular, advanced, or master certification is more than equipped to assist his or her peers.
Our program exists because undergraduate students recognize the importance of helping their peers. Students who are interested in becoming a tutor for the Tutoring Program are encouraged to apply using the online application: www.francis.edu/tutorapp.htm.
Students applying must meet the following qualifications to become a peer tutor:
• Have obtained sophomore status (28 credits or more);
• Have the personal qualities and communication skills necessary for effective interaction with students;
• Have at least a 3.0 QPA;
• Have obtained at least an “A” or “B” in any course to be tutored.
Students with Learning Disabilities
The Academic Center for Enrichment assists eligible students in receiving basic services as determined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Every effort is made to arrange appropriate accommodations based on a student’s disability. Individuals are encouraged to begin the process of arranging for accommodation services upon acceptance to the university.
The Academic Center for Enrichment works with individual faculty members, academic departments, and other University offices to assure that the classes, programs, and services are accessible to the students. The services provided by these offices are meant to help students devise strategies for meeting college demands and to foster independence, responsibility and self-advocacy.
In order to receive disability services, students must submit documentation of the disability to the Academic Center for Enrichment. The submitted assessment report must:
• Be completed by a qualified professional such as a medical doctor or licensed psychologist;
• Contain the evaluator’s name, title, and assessment date;
• Have been completed within the last three years;
• Identify the disability, describe the limits it imposes, and include recommended accommodations.
Once the documentation is received and evaluated, a staff member from the Academic Center for Enrichment will schedule an intake meeting to determine which accommodations are appropriate. Students who receive accommodations are responsible for communicating their accommodation-needs to each individual faculty member and for submitting the paperwork in a timely manner.
Basic services offered at Saint Francis University include:
• Assistance with note-taking in the classroom;
• Accommodations for taking exams, such as readers, scribes, extended-time, and alternate locations;
• Referrals for taped texts;
• Requests for adaptive classroom equipment;
• Assistance in accessing University programs and services.
If a student believes he or she requires a reasonable accommodation or has a question regarding educational services, activities, programs, or facilities that are accessible to or used by students with disabilities, please contact the director in the Academic Center for Enrichment.
For more information or to request an accommodation, please contact:
Ms. Denise Kovach, Director
Office of Disability Services
Rm. 103, Raymond Hall
Saint Francis University
P. O. Box 600
Loretto, PA 15940
814/472-3176
dkovach@francis.edu
Academic Advising and Retention
The Academic Advising and Retention office is responsible for coordinating retention initiatives across the University and for providing academic advising for all undergraduate students. The office also directs the First-Year Advising Program, the Higher Education Equal Opportunity (ACT 101) program and the Student Assistance Team. The office is located in St. Francis Hall.
Academic and First-Year Advising Program
The primary purpose of the academic advising program is to assist students in the development of meaningful educational plans which are compatible with their life goals. At Saint Francis University, academic advising is viewed as a continuous process of clarification and evaluation. The Office of Advising and Retention works in conjunction with the academic advisor and the student to help support educational needs and goals. The office is open to all students as an additional and/or supplemental academic resource.
Individual academic advising conferences are available to students each semester. The advisor will review and utilize any available data about the student’s academic and educational needs, performance, goals, and problems. The ultimate responsibility for making decisions about life goals and educational plans rests with the student. The advisor will assist by helping to identify and assess alternatives and the consequences of decisions.
As part of the University’s First-Year Advising Program, entering students are assigned to advisors during the Summer Orientation and Academic Registration (SOAR) Program the summer prior to their freshman year. These academic advisors help students with academic and transition issues by providing guidance and support throughout the freshmen year.
Saint Francis University’s goals for academic advising are as follows: clarification of life and career goals; development of suitable educational plans; selection of appropriate courses and other educational experiences; interpretation of institutional requirements; increase student awareness of available educational resources; evaluation of student progress toward established goals; development of decision-making skills, and referral to and use of other institutional and community support services where appropriate.
If you need additional help beyond your assigned academic advisor, individual and walk-in appointments are available at the Office of Advising and Retention in St. Francis Hall.
Higher Education Equal Opportunity (ACT 101) Program
The Act 101 Program was created as a result of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Equal Opportunity Act 101 in 1971 and focuses on serving undergraduate students in order to make the ideal of equal educational opportunity a reality for all qualified students.
Support services include access to free textbooks through our lending library, assistance with class registration, free peer and group tutoring, workshops, and academic and career counseling.
To be eligible, students must be:
• Resident of Pennsylvania
• Economically disadvantaged - Having an annual family income equal to or less than 200% of the family income level based on federal poverty guidelines.
• Educationally disadvantaged - Having a predicted grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or less (the prediction shall be based upon the criteria and formula regularly used by the institution of higher education to select students for admission).
• Enrolled as a full time student (carrying at least 12 credits in a semester) or as a part time student (carrying at least 6, but less than 12, credits in a semester).
ACT 101 students are eligible for support services at the university as long as he or she is enrolled at the institution and has signed the student contract at the beginning of each academic year.
Student Assistance Team
The Student Assistance Team consists of representatives from various offices on campus including Academic Center for Enrichment, Advising & Retention, Athletics, Business Office, Financial Aid, Provost’s Office, Residence Life, Risk Management, and Student Development. Meeting weekly during the academic year, the team addresses concerns that may affect a student’s academic success, which may include: missing classes, advising and tutoring appointments, or SAGE hours; poor course grades; behavior on campus or in the classroom; financial concerns; and referrals from faculty, coaches, staff, parents, or peer students.
Intervention strategies are discussed at the meeting which may include meeting with the student, contacting the student’s academic advisor, contacting the student’s instructors for the current semester, and/or contacting the student’s parents. As a part of the team, risk management may also intervene when appropriate and the Behavioral Intervention Team may evaluate a student to determine potential threat analysis. Each student situation is unique, so intervention strategies are created to address the specific issue or concern.
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