The WSU Vancouver UNIV courses, specifically UNIV 104 and 304 curriculum, focus on providing college-ready skills and resources that will increase students’ success and sense of belonging at WSU Vancouver.
The Unversity slate of courses, specifically UNIV 104/304, are the first of several steps in WSU Vancouver students' VanCoug Journey, which emphasizes: Navigate, Discover and Become. The 104 and 304 curriculum attempts to maximize the type of learning required for students to succeed well beyond the course. Outcomes for students taking UNIV 104 is a higher first year GPA and higher rentention. The instructors/coaches provide on-going growth opportunities to aid students' understanding of themselves, others and independent learning strategies to succeed during the the fall semester and beyond.
The curriculum focuses on gaining student trust and giving them a sense of control over their education as they progress toward graduation. In addition, UNIV 104 and UNIV 304 students learn goal setting, time management, about academic and financial resources on campus, and growth-mindset thinking. Moreover, the course utilizes and teaches cultural wealth literacy, design thinking as students explore themselves via discussions about identity, race and culture. We believe these elements prepare students as they learn to navigate, discover and become successful college students.
In 2020 the common read for UNIV 104 and UNIV 304 is, Tell Me Who You Are: Sharing Our Stories of Race, Culture & Identity by Winona Guo and Priya Vulchi. Our theme for UNIV 104 and 304 is: “This Is Me” and the common read book was given to First Year students for free. This is a compelling book about growth, identity and development and aligns well with the VanCoug Journey mantra: “Navigate, Discover, Become.” Assignments for this course include a memoir and final visual/voice project based on their memoir called "This Is Me."
Courses for new college students
UNIV 104 courses (2 credits), fall semester and spring semester
The purpose of UNIV 104 is to provide first-year students with the academic supports, tools and resources that will increase their success and sense of belonging within the WSU Vancouver campus community. Over the fall semester students will actively participate in both traditional and virtual lectures, workshops, group projects and seminars.
Courses for new transfer students
UNIV 250 course (1 credit), fall semester and spring semester
Explore and apply time management and goal-setting strategies. Identify your top talent themes using the Clifton Strengths assessment, and learn how to develop your talents into strengths for academic and professional success.
UNIV 304 course (2 credits), fall semester and spring semester
The purpose of UNIV 304 is to provide first-year students with the academic supports, tools and resources that will increase their success and sense of belonging within the WSU Vancouver campus community. Over the fall semester students will actively participate in both traditional and virtual lectures, workshops, group projects and seminars.