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First Year Experience

A year-long orientation program for new undergraduate students. The FYE program orientation is mandatory for all first-year and transfer students.
  1. Student Life
  2. First Year Experience

About the Program 

FYE launches each semester with a three-day orientation that will help students become familiar with the AUC community and provide all the information they need to begin their university experience. The orientation will be followed by year-long guidance and support as needed through academic services, engaging events, and promoting personal development. In more detail, the program is designed to:

  • Facilitate the transition from high school to college life.
  • Prepare students for AUC's educational opportunities and student responsibilities.
  • Integrate new students into the intellectual, cultural, and social life on campus.

For those students who are unable to attend, AUC makes alternative arrangements that need to be fulfilled within the first six weeks of the semester.

professors standing at booths of explore the disciplines fair

Academics and Development

The academics and development pillar is responsible for easing students into their first-year experience, both academically and through personal development. This is done through projects that develop practical life skills and theoretical learning and allow students to prepare for dealing with the challenges that arise upon transitioning into University. Those projects include holding "Explore the Disciplines" Fair twice a year, which is an event planned in collaboration with the four schools at AUC to help first-year students know more about the different majors and minors that the university offers. The event helps the students choose their major and encourages them to do their minors in fields that complement their majors and fulfill their ambitions. FYE seminars also provide an interactive learning experience relating to FYE's four learning outcomes that are central to AUC's educational mission.

New students in garden attending activities of AUC first year experience

Engagement

The engagement pillar is responsible for engaging first-year students socially by planning and supervising initiatives that help students to gain a sense of their surrounding community, integrating themselves in it as an essential component in University life.

Goal 1: Academic Readiness

  • Understand academic regulations and policies.
  • Understand and engage in  the benefits of a Liberal Arts education.
  • Develop study values and habits that support academic success.

Outcome

  • Students will be able to create a meaningful academic plan that develops student intellectual and professional skills.

Goal 2: Social Connection and Belonging

  • Engage with others on collaborative projects, productive interactions and shared goals.
  • Develop relationships with community members based on respect and mutual support, including understanding and observing codes of conduct.

Outcome

  • Students will be able to develop positive relationships that support the sense of belonging and mattering to the AUC community.

Goal 3: Personal Wellbeing

  • Demonstrate behaviors that promote emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing - developing strategies for emotional regulation, resilience, balance between academics and other activities.
  • Learn about campus support resources.

Outcome

  • Students will be able to adopt a positive view of oneself and one’s capacity for success, agency and self-efficacy.

Goal 4: Citizenship and Community Engagement

  • Understand one’s role in creating a healthy community for oneself and others.
  • Be proactive in contributing to activities that promote a positive campus climate.
  • Uphold values of inclusion, diversity, integrity and respect.

Outcome

  • Students will be able to start to develop a sense of loyalty and responsibility toward AUC and its community members.

Check out the Common Abbreviations list.

Who are Peer Facilitators?

Peer Facilitators are a group of trained students who play an integral role in the first-year experience at AUC. They are a dynamic team that works under the direct supervision of the FYE manager and the Office of Student Life. Their primary role is guiding, advising, and supporting you to successfully transition from high school into collegial life. Peer Facilitators will not only be present during times of orientation but also throughout the rest of the year via year-long activities.

What is expected from me during the orientation?

Attend all the sessions and answer the survey.

Do I have to attend the FYE Orientation if I am an international student?

Full-time degree-seeking international students must attend the FYE orientation as well as the international orientation. Both orientation events are scheduled in coordination. 

If I missed the orientation, could I attend it later (e.g., another semester)?

No, you are only allowed to attend the orientation during the semester of your admission including the make-up orientation almost two weeks after the actual orientation.

What happens if I miss one of the FYE sessions during orientation?

You must inform us via [email protected] and you are required to attend the session you missed during the make-up orientation.

What if I missed a session(s) but had a valid excuse?

A Make-up session(s) will be offered to you provided that you submit proof justifying your absence.

What happens if I miss my orientation because I'm a late acceptance?

Make-up sessions will be provided to you.

How many seminars should I attend?

Each first-year student must attend two FYE Tuesday Seminars during their first academic semester and another two during their second academic semester to avoid a registration hold before their third semester. Each session is given a color to represent it’s Learning outcome, and students must choose ONLY ONE session of each color (i.e. Learning outcome)

What happens if I leave before the session is over?

Attendance of the entire 3-hour session that you registered for is mandatory. Attendance will be taken at different points in each session. Students not attending, those leaving before the end of the session, or those leaving for some part of the session will be considered absent and will need to repeat the session.

How can I apply to be part of the FYE team?

Follow FYE social media accounts for any recruitment announcements, and applications will be through the AUC CareerWEB. 

The FYE recruits peer facilitators through the AUC CareerWEB between April and May. 

Contact Information

[email protected]