New students arriving on The University of Findlay campus this year will be the first to take part in The Oiler Experience, a one-credit-hour required course designed to introduce all first-time, full-time students to life at UF.

Approximately 30 class sections will be led by a variety of staff members whose expertise is in student services. Undergraduate peer mentors also will serve as campus resources for new students and will attend the class, as well, to answer questions and offer advice. Mentors were chosen through a process that involved recommendations from faculty and staff, completion of an application and in-person interviews.

Mentors will be available to students before and after scheduled class time and at campus events and events specifically offered for first-year students.

During class meetings, students will learn how to locate resources and services at UF; develop and improve study and time management skills; examine common college-related issues; identify dangers that threaten their success; and develop close bonds with their classmates, among other things.

Overseeing the program are Brian Treece, assistant dean of students and director of housing and residence life, and Lori Colchagoff, director of disability services and ADA/504 compliance officer.

The Oiler Experience is another step in the evolving freshman seminar program. Piloted in 1971 to promote closer faculty-student contact in small group settings, the program was first extended to include all of the 165 freshmen that registered for classes in 1975.

Colchagoff credited Diana Montague, Ph.D., professor of English, for her success and commitment in developing UF’s First-Year Experience program. “We are hoping to expand on her success,” said Colchagoff. “She has been helpful in providing us with support and resources to continue a successful program for our freshmen.”

Both Colchagoff and Treece are looking forward to seeing how the class, as a whole, develops and transitions throughout their first semester at UF.