All incoming freshmen are required to take a “Freshman Seminar” course. This class helps new students to adjust to life on a college campus, and helps transfer students feel comfortable on a new campus. Here, students can meet and interact with their peers in a classroom setting and learn important collegiate life skills such as communication, study habits, time management, and teamwork!
Freshman Learning Communities (FLC) are block courses – two classes scheduled back-to-back with separate instructors. Courses are worth three credits each and include an A101 Freshman Seminar worth one credit – seven credits in total. FLCs also include a KEY Experience.
Courses are paired together to allow students to better understand the common goals of the courses, and how they can connect. Instructors communicate about what will be taught during the week to ensure a reasonable workload for students.
Students are encouraged to enroll in FLCs, as the block course format allows students to create deeper connections with their classmates, get involved in and off campus, and help their fellow new students adjust to college life.
IU Kokomo faculty are dedicated to the success of our students. To support that goal, the Student Engagement Roster (SER) is used by all professors to monitor student performance and grades. If a student is falling behind, or having trouble in the course, the professor can document those issues in the SER. A notification will then be sent to the student and their academic advisor, detailing what the professor has documented. Campus resources such as Success Coaches, the Writing Center, or the Math Commons are then offered to help students succeed. Both the Writing Center and Math Commons offer one-on-one and group tutoring for those in need of assistance.
The SER isn’t just used to document issues; faculty can also use it to let students know if they are thriving in a course, and to provide encouragement.
The early intervention process also includes Academic Probation. When a student’s GPA drops below 2.0, they are warned to increase their GPA or risk losing financial aid. Students on Academic Probation are encouraged to regularly meet with their advisor and a success coach for additional support.
Academic Success Coaching pairs a student with an expert who can provide individualized help with tasks such as time management, study skills, stress management, and navigating campus resources. Coaching is free to all IU Kokomo students, and has proven successful among students.
It’s easy to get confused by the requirements needed to graduate from college. Academic advisors in the Office of Student Success and Advising meet one-on-one with students to help them feel confident about academic decisions, and to support their exploration of academic and extra-curricular opportunities on campus.
Advisors are here to help students stay on track with their degree progress, making sure they are taking appropriate courses and earning enough credits to meet the requirements for graduation, program admission, and financial aid eligibility.
Students are assigned to at least two advisors in their major area to ensure that they can get questions answered and support whenever they need it.