Freshman Interest Group

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How to Apply/Requirements • FIG Application • Cabernet Village • Student Housing

What is the Freshman Interest Group program?

The Freshman Interest Group (FIG) is a program designed to bring what is learned in the classroom to life. Based on different academic interests, the FIG program intentionally creates a learning environment that recognizes how some of the most powerful learning in college takes place outside the classroom. Seminars and study groups taking place in the residential community, faculty members being present in the village, and specially trained peer advisors help integrate the academic and social experience of our students. By being a member of the FIG, students make a year-long commitment to the academic program and the residential living community.

What Does An Ideal FIG Student Look Like?

Has a strong academic background and wants to get a jump-start on their academics at SSU.
Is prepared to take responsibility for her/his academic future.
Has the academic ability, commitment and drive to be a positive, active member of our college community. Academic ability is not enough by itself.
Will use the tools that we provide to make the most of her/his college experience at SSU.
Is willing to be a positive, active participant in the residential community.

What are the goals of the Freshman Interest Groups?

The program identifies five main goals based on national research the supports student retention and satisfaction, and which addresses the social and academic transition challenges most freshmen face. These goals are:

Improve the academic success of first-year students.
Increase retention from freshman to sophomore year.
Increase student satisfaction with Sonoma State University.
Provide assistance for students to take an active role in their successful academic and personal transition to college.
Create opportunities that will foster residential, learning-based peer network.
Increase student and faculty interaction outside of the classroom.
Integrate civic engagement into the curriculum.

How is it designed?

Each FIG has an academic block consisting of 2-3 core classes that every student is enrolled in together. These classes relate to the theme of the FIG and often fulfill requirements of the major with the discipline. The classes are integrated into the programs and activities offered in the residential community. Stronger faculty/student interaction and easily accessible study groups are two obvious benefits of the FIG Program. Students within the FIG program live together in the same residential village. Because of the close proximity, students are able to create their own study groups and help each other on assignments and group projects.

Who participates in this program?

Since the creation of the FIG program in 2000, we have earned overwhelming campus-wide support. This program is designed for students who have chosen a major and are interested in jumping right in, as well as those who have an interest area supported by the FIG, and want to sample the academic field before declaring it as their major. Because the majority of the courses also fulfill general education requirements, participating in the FIG does not hinder students who change majors later. Other reasons for participating are:

Wishing to live with other freshmen that have similar academic interests
Wishing to satisfy general education requirements while engaging in an in-depth exploration of major and or possible career choices.
Participating in seminars, study groups, field trips, social gatherings specially designed for FIG students.

How many spaces are available in the FIG Program?

Due to the high value we place on a low faculty to student ratio, each FIG cohort is capped at 20 students. There is no additional fee to participate in the program, even though there are many additional benefits provided by both the Residential Life Office and the academic departments. All of the FIG themes have an English placement requirement. Additionally, the Pre-Health FIG and Engineering, Math and Science FIG have a math placement requirement, which are listed below. Because there is the living component, students must live on-campus in the FIG village their entire freshman year. Failure to maintain enrollment in all FIG courses will result in a forfeit of the FIG contract and students will be required to move to a different village, space permitting. Requesting housing information and submitting a license agreement early is recommended due to limited space availability in the residential community.

Annual Traditions

Connections and community begin with the Welcome Reception which happens before classes even begin. That is the first opportunity for the FIG students to interact with one another and to meet their faculty and Peer Advisors.

During the FIG Fall Feast, in November, students get to work with their fellow FIG members to contribute various food dishes to this down home program-wide feast.

For those FIG students who earn a 3.5 grade point average their first semester, they are invited to an Awards Banquet the beginning of the spring semester to honor their accomplishments and the faculty and staff who helped along the way.

What is a Peer Advisor?

One of the signature points of the Freshman Interest Group (FIG) Program is the utilization of Peer Advisors who play a critical role in connecting the classroom to the living room. Each FIG cohort has one Peer Advisor, who is an upperclassman with advanced leadership experience. In the fall, the Peer Advisor co-teaches a specialized section of University 102 with a faculty member from the academic department that is specific to each FIG. The Peer Advisor also sets-up outside of the class field trips, events with faculty members and teaches their students how to set up study groups within their community. In the spring, the Peer Advisor independently teaches a weekly one-unit seminar for her/his FIG cohort. Most Peer Advisors were FIG students themselves and chose to give back to the program that gave them so much as a freshman.

How do I apply for a FIG?

Return your Student Housing License Agreement (http://www.sonoma.edu/housing) with deposit to Customer Services indicating your interest in the Freshman Interest Group Program, specifying your thematic choice. Complete the supplemental Freshman Interest Group application and return that to the Office of Residential Life using the address on the application. Once you are accepted into the program, a representative from the FIG program will make contact with you prior to your attendance at Summer Orientation.

Deadlines/Timelines

Acceptance into the program is on a rolling basis. Therefore, it is imperative you familiarize yourself with the application and requirements as soon as possible.

Attend the Summer Orientation session in either June or July that is appropriate for you. Go to the Orientation website for more information: http://www.sonoma.edu/saem/orientation/

Applications will be accepted until each FIG cohort is full. Therefore, it is in your best interest to submit and application as soon as possible.

Requirements/Qualifications

Must live on campus in the designated FIG village, the entire academic year. No exceptions.
Maintain enrollment in all FIG courses both Fall and Spring semesters. No exceptions.
Must place in college level English with either a SAT score of 550, ACT score of 24 or an EPT score of 148.
Engineering, Math & Science FIG and the Pre-Health FIG also require placement in college level math with either a SAT score of 550, ACT score of 23 or an ELM score of 50.

Freshman Interest Groups available:

Prospective students, who are interested in being a part of the FIG program should contact:

Julie Greathouse
Freshman Interest Group Director
(707) 664-3305
julie.greathouse@sonoma.edu

Jennifer Johnson
Residential Life Coordinator
(707) 664-3734
jennifer.johnson@sonoma.edu