University College Records

The University College, formerly College of General Studies, offers advising services to deciding students, as well as programs that help students succeed academically and professionally. When the unit started, it served students who did not meet the normal admission requirements. The office was known as "Junior College," a division of Student Services, until 1949, when it became the "Office of Student Personnel and Terminal Courses." The task of advising undeclared students formally became part of the mission in 1969.

In 1970, the departments of admissions, records, and student personnel merged to complete the "Division of Student Services." The Office of General Registration was housed within this division until 1974, when the Board of Regents recognized General Registration as a non-degree granting college. The college, led by Dr. Arnold Menning, created their initial course at this time, now known as UC 101.

The College of General Registration combined with the Department of Placement and moved to Medary Commons in 1984. Then, approximately 600 students were enrolled. It wasn't until 2001 that the name changed to "College of General Studies and Outreach Programs." By that time, the college was authorized to grant a Bachelor of Science in Applied Technical Sciences and in Liberal Studies and an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies.

The college offered these degrees, as well as a leadership minor that began in spring 2008. Also, six specializations for the BATS degree, as well as 11 pre-professional programs designed to prepare students for professional school until its most recent transitions. The college added Career Planning Services in 1977 and developed the Wintrode Tutoring Program in 2005 to further help students succeed in both the academic and professional worlds. /

In 2011, the direction of the College of General Studies began to change from both academic and professional career development to support for at-risk students, primarily assisting the University’s goal of increasing retention rates among first-year students, and ultimately increasing graduation rates. In spring 2011, the College of General Studies piloted a very successful Academic Success program, which continues to serve an increasing number of students each semester. Also, in 2011, the College of General Studies transitioned to University College with Career Planning Services moving under the auspices of the Division of Student Affairs. University College’s focus became the creation and implementation of a First Year Advising Center (FYAC) and introducing a Supplemental Instruction facet to the Wintrode Tutoring Program.

Currently, the Wintrode Student Success Center houses the First-Year Advising Center, the Wintrode Tutoring Program, including Supplemental Instruction, and the Academic Success Program, which now also includes a Peer Mentoring Program. West Hall is the home for the University College Dean and faculty teaching a reorganized First Year Seminar course, as well as Academic and Career Exploration, Mastering Lifetime Learning Skills and READ 041 courses.

In spring 2013, University College will pilot an Exploratory Studies Program to provide students a more streamlined and focused manner in which to identify their major field of study. No longer will students be “undecided”; exploring students will have the opportunity to examine like fields of study and be introduced to academic rigors and opportunities within each of the fields to allow for a greater knowledge base from which to choose their major field of study and academic goals.