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USI Bulletin 2006-2007

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2005-2006

The University of Southern Indiana (USI), in partnership with Ivy Tech State College - Evansville (ITSC-E), created a program for students who are academically under-prepared for college. Students are evaluated for admission to the OPTIONS program on an individual basis. In general, the decision is based upon a student's seventh semester recalculated high school GPA (that is, calculating only grades in mathematics, science, social science and English), high school curriculum, and scores on SAT or ACT. This program seeks to support the academic success of these students through the following program elements:

• Developmental classes at the level of each student's need, as determined by placement testing, review of high school grades and curriculum, and standardized testing scores (SAT or ACT). All developmental classes will be provided by ITSC-E on the USI campus.
• Regularly scheduled meetings with a member of the student's advising team.
• An OPTIONS-specific section of a college success skills course, designed to facilitate the necessary shift from passive to active learning
• Free tutoring in USI's Academic Skills area

Students in the OPTIONS program must fulfill the following requirements:

• Successful completion of all necessary developmental classes (at the appropriate level, based on individual need)
• Successful completion (with a grade of "B" or better) of the OPTIONS-specific College Success course
• Participation in a minimum of one hour of tutoring per week
• Participation in an extensive faculty mentoring program with an OPTIONS advisor

The OPTIONS orientation sessions will include an introduction to the program, a time for parents and students to ask questions about the program, and an introduction to the designated OPTIONS advisors who will help with the choice of appropriate classes for the first year at USI. The OPTIONS coordinator (or an appropriate designate) will attend all OPTIONS orientation sessions to answer questions from parents and students.

Other features of the OPTIONS program include the following:

• Dual enrollment at USI and ITSC -E. All courses are taught on the USI campus.
• Student financial assistance will be provided through USI.
• Students may live on the USI campus.
• Students will be required to take all appropriate developmental courses and other classes appropriate for their individual course of study, as determined through discussion with the student's OPTIONS advisor.
• Students will have the opportunity to explore programs and services at both USI and ITSC-E.