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YearOne overview

YearOne overview

Video Introduction



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YearOne Summary

Course Number:

ACSC-010

Course Description:


The YearOne class serves as an interdisciplinary catalyst for first-year students to access campus resources, services and opportunities that promote self-knowledge, leadership development, social responsibility and life skills awareness and application. YearOne is also designed to challenge and encourage first-year students to get to know one another, build friendships and help them become an integral part of the campus community.

Course Structure:


YearOne is a zero-credit course that will occur during the first 12 weeks of the 16 week semester. First-year students will take YearOne during their first semester. The course will be comprised of both traditional in-class transitional topics and out-of-class experiential weeks. During out-of-class weeks students will be asked to engage in campus activities planned and/or coordinated by the peer advisors. These events and activities will be organized around themes identified by a group of student leaders.

Completion of the course is a graduation requirement. Students will not be allowed to withdraw from the course except by special permission from the Senior Director of the Academic Support Center. Students will be able to change their grade by repeating the course.

Course Topics:


Topics covered during the in-class meetings are as follows:

  1. Vital Resources: Essential resources students need to be aware of in order to navigate RIT as well as make the most of their college experience.
  2. Academic Preparedness: College level academic expectations, resources to assist students in being academically successful.
  3. Engagement: Participating in campus events to integrate into the campus community.
  4. Inclusiveness: Respecting and appreciating the complex and diverse perspectives within the RIT community
  5. Self-Discovery: Exploring and articulating individual aspirations and values
  6. Campus Involvement: Active participation in the campus community in order to become a contributing member of the community
  7. Resilience: Utilizing personal and external resources to persist in attaining goals in the face of inevitable set-backs.

Peer Advisors:


The peer advisor is a paid position for upper-class students. In addition to assisting with the facilitation of the in-class lessons, the peer advisors will be responsible for planning and coordinating the out-of-class events for first-year students to attend when students are required to attend such events.

Target Population and Exemptions:


All traditional first-year students will be required to take YearOne. Students requesting an exemption based on one or more of the following criteria should contact the Senior Director of the ASC. If the exemption is approved, a waiver code will be applied in SIS.

  1. The student has successfully completed a full-time term at another accredited institution of higher education.
  2. The student is 20 years of age or older.
  3. The student has completed one year of active military duty.
  4. The student is registered in an NTID AAS, AOS or AA program.

RIT International Campuses

Students enrolled at RIT's international campuses should contact their academic advisor to review their academic requirements.