Building a sense of community that will lead to success in college is the goal of the Freshmen First program, which is in its sixth year at The University of Memphis.
The program, which involves about 400 first-year students every year, was created on the theory that students are more likely to stay in college and succeed in their studies if they feel connected to the University and other students. Freshmen First brings that connectivity to the students, instead of expecting them to seek it out on their own.
Freshmen First, an optional and free program offered to all freshmen, requires that participants live in Richardson Towers, where four floors in each tower are set aside for the program.
Freshmen First students have a meal plan that provides meals in the Richardson Towers cafeteria, along with meal credit that can be used in The Tiger Den and UC Marketplace Café.
All participants must take ACAD 1100, a freshman success orientation seminar. In addition, tutoring in various academic disciplines is offered at Richardson every Tuesday and Thursday.
