The University of Memphis is working to finalize a quality enrichment plan in order to increase interaction among freshmen.
The plan calls for faculty to select lower division general education courses for several different "learning communities" that first-time freshmen will be grouped into.
If approved, The U of M will implement the program in the fall semester of 2006 with five to seven students in one of 25 learning communities.
"We are starting small to see what will benefit the students," said Dr. Cathy Serex, associate director of Curriculum Planning and Academic Affairs.
The enrichment plan's aim is to promote contact between students and professors in their first year of college.
"We hope to encourage interaction so they will feel like more of a part of The University," Serex said.
Lauren Parks, an undecided freshman, agreed with the idea that being around mostly freshmen would be more comfortable.
"You would have the same amount of education as everyone else in the class so you wouldn't be intimidated," Parks said.
Sarah Cox, also an undecided freshman, doesn't feel intimidated by older students.
"You wouldn't get to meet people who might know more and could help you," Cox said.
The initiative to create all freshman groups comes as The U of M works to pass their 10-year review from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University received 72 standards that it must pass to be reaccredited.
Of the 72, no standard was found to be failing. However, seven were submitted for clarification.
School officials will submit the quality enrichment plan to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on April 20. If approved, students will see constant change every semester.
"The plan will be under constant revision every semester," Serex said. "We really hope to accomplish learning enhancement to The University for freshman."
