|
The First-Year Integration program is led by a steering committee comprised of faculty and staff, and is administered through Student Life. The objectives of the FYI program are:
- Helping students make the transition from high school to college;
- Helping students make connections to the University community;
- Spiritual development and the integration of faith and learning;
- Critical thinking as it is displayed within specific disciplines;
- All of this in the context of an academic theme of the students’ choice.
FYI is a required, credit-bearing, academic course, and is part of the general education requirements in the College of Undergraduate Studies (CUS). New first-year students are required to complete FYI in their first semester of study at CCU.
In addition to the academic elements of critical thinking and college-level reading and writing, one of the key tenets of the FYI program is connection with the CCU community and assimilation into CCU’s philosophy of education which heavily emphasizes the integration of faith and learning. We affirm the work that our students have done to prepare for college. However, national research and experience within the national university community have demonstrated that certain kinds of preparation must be done within the context of college life. Our intention is to address procedural, philosophical and definitive issues that can only be prepared for with significant post-high school life experience or within the context of campus life itself. The FYI exception policy is therefore consistent with the On-Campus Housing policy for living on campus, which shares a similar philosophy.
A CUS student may request exception to the FYI requirement through permission of their LDC advisor only if he/she meets one of the following conditions:
- Student is of nontraditional age (22 years or older) on the date that he/she begins an academic program through the College of Undergraduate Studies.
- Student has earned 30 or more semester hours of college level work from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. All transfer policies apply.
- Students who possess two or more years of post-high school, full-time work, military or other professional experience may petition for exception on a case by case basis. Petitions for exception should be directed to the FYI committee.
Regardless of the academic aptitude or accomplishment of any student, considerations such as each student’s emotional and spiritual preparedness, preparedness for the residential collegiate setting, preparedness to maneuver successfully within a college system, and the unique mission and culture of Colorado Christian University are crucial to the experience of FYI. For these reasons, petitions for exception to the FYI requirement are rarely approved.
Students who receive a failing grade must re-take the course the following semester. |