What is University 101?
University 101 is both an academic department and the new student seminar course at the University of South Carolina. University 101, as an academic department, reports directly to the Office of the Provost and is supervised directly by the Associate Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies and oversees the development and curriculum of the following courses:

UNIV101:  The Student in the University
UNIV201:  Fundamentals of Inquiry
UNIV290:  Residential College Experience
UNIV401:  Senior Capstone Experience

The department also fosters partnerships with other academic units that further enhance the first-year experience and equip students for academic, social, and professional success during their time at USC.

What is a New Student Seminar course?
A New Student Seminar is a special course for new students designed to enhance their academic and social integration into college. A recent survey from the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition found that over 80% of responding colleges and universities offered some type of freshman or first-year seminar. The precise content and goals for these seminars differ from institution to institution, however the overwhelming majority are designed to provide students with essential strategies and information to enhance the likelihood of their retention and academic/social success.

What is the history and background of University 101?
The University 101 course was introduced in 1972 as an educational experiment in response to student riots in 1970 protesting the Vietnam War, other perceived social injustices, and local campus issues. The primary goal for the course was to build trust, understanding, and open lines of communication between students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Other key aims were as follows:

• To begin a major faculty development initiative which would improve teaching in all undergraduate courses, not just the first-year seminar.
• To encourage students to develop more positive attitudes and behaviors towards the University.
• To increase student retention to the sophomore year and subsequently through the senior year to graduation.
• To provide a new major revenue source for the University.

The rationale of then University President Thomas Jones in founding University 101 was that the instructor training program would provide instructors of the course and other USC faculty/staff with their first in-depth training in how to be effective college educators.

Since its inception, both the course and the faculty training have evolved to meet the needs of students in changing times.

Why should a first-year student enroll in University 101?
The transition to college can often be challenging for many first-year students.  University 101 is a course designed to assist these students with this transition by introducing them to the various campus and community resources that will prepare them for success at the University of South Carolina.  Students will have the opportunity to learn various study skills and the fundamentals of time management, become well adapted to the college classroom and campus, and engage in social and community activities with other students.

Who teaches University 101?
Full-time faculty, staff, and administrators have the opportunity to apply to teach the course.  Upon acceptance into the program, instructors must complete a specialized training workshop to maintain their eligibility to teach.  In addition to the instructors, many of the course sections have an undergraduate peer leader and/or a graduate leader as a part of the teaching team.  These student leaders readily identify with many of the issues facing current undergraduates.  Not only are peer and graduate leaders in the classroom to lead and teach, they serve as mentors to first-year students, and many times, form friendships with these students that last long after the course has ended.  University 101 is unique to other college courses because it not only offers first-year students one person, the instructor, who cares and is committed to their success, but an entire teaching team featuring both peer and graduate leaders.

Is University 101 required?
While the course is not required for all first-year students at USC, approximately eighty percent of the fall incoming freshman class enrolls each year, making it the most popular course at the university.  Several majors, such as Education, and programs, such as Capstone Scholars, do require the course as part of the undergraduate program of study.  Other majors, such as Business, highly recommend the course.

How are University 101 and the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition connected?
University 101 and the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition form one functionally integrated academic unit at the University of South Carolina.  The National Resource Center grew out of the University 101 department when interest in first-year seminar courses grew nationwide.  While University 101 primarily focuses its work on students and programs at the University of South Carolina, the National Resource Center works mainly with educators at other colleges and universities.  Through its partnership with the National Resource Center, the University 101 department is kept up to date on issues facing first-year college students and other students in transition.  The two programs share resources and staff, and benefit from one another’s programs and initiatives.