More Than 3,900 Students Enjoy an Engaged First Year Seminar Shared Experience Week

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A wave of first-year and transfer students in the University’s First Year Seminar 101 (FYS101) recently rolled across campus and into the greater Syracuse area to actively learn about campus, the local community and how they fit into their new surroundings. More than 10,000 students in total have taken FYS101 since its inception in fall 2021; that includes more than 3,900 students this year.

The seminar’s Shared Experience Week introduces students to the University’s pillars. Activities involved Barnes Center at The Arch (mindfulness, opioid overdose prevention and sexual health programs); Intercultural Collective; Syracuse University Art Museum; La Casita; Syracuse Stage; Community Folk Art Center; IT MakerSpace; Hendricks Chapel; Bird Library and the Special Collections Resource Center; JMA Wireless Dome; Schine Student Center; National Veterans Resource Center; Blackstone LaunchPad; and WAER. Presentations were hosted by Syracuse Abroad; Career Services; Office of Financial Literacy; the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement; and the Shaw Center for Public and Community Service.

During Week Four of the 15-week session, students enjoyed 45 types of “in real life” engagement activities. They created an impactful 780 care packages and sourced materials to benefit 13 local organizations that became new participating partners with the University, says Jimmy Luckman, associate director of the First Year Seminar. That included: