Freshmen learn ropes with new SGA workshop

To help new students adjust to life at Ball State, the Student Government Association has started a new workshop that runs for the first five weeks of the semester. 

The workshop, called Freshman 115, has a flexible curriculum aimed at making the transition to college easier for freshmen. 

During SGA Treasurer Meagan Mullen's first session, she had the three freshmen in her class write down their goals for the workshop and what organizations they wanted to work with.  

"I want them to get involved,” Mullen said. “Obviously, that’s one of the biggest things we want out of this workshop ... for the students to feel more connected to campus." 

While other programs like C.L.A.S.S., Accelerate, Early Start and HONR 100 have similar offerings before classes start, there isn't much for students once the semester begins. 

Mullen and SGA President Jack Hesser were both inspired by their HONR 100 experiences and wanted to give all freshmen the opportunity to have an upperclassman that would help them transition into college life. HONR 100 is a 7-week course that all Honors College freshman take to learn more about campus and the Honors College. 

“I also hope they make a connection with me personally because I feel like having a mentor on this campus is really important," Mullen said. "I have plenty of mentors on this campus, whether they be staff or students, and I think that’s really helped me grow as a student leader.”

Elizabeth Miller, a political science and women and gender studies major, was one of the three freshmen who attended Mullen’s workshop Aug. 25. 

Miller said she decided to sign up for the workshop because it would be a good resource.

“I’m excited about hearing from all the different organizations because I’m super excited to get involved in all of those on campus,” Miller said. “I am hoping to learn more about the campus and organizations and meet people.”

Fifty freshmen signed up for the workshops, but only 36 students total attended the four sessions during the first week of classes. 

Hesser said he expected some of the students to drop, but some of the freshmen also brought friends with them to the sessions, which he said he welcomes. 

Students were separated into interest groups for each session so the freshmen could meet and talk to people with similar hobbies. However, every group will discuss the different organizations on campus, diversity and peer pressure. 

The rest of the syllabus is more tentative, dependent upon what the students want to learn. 

Hesser said he would ultimately like to see the workshop become part of the curriculum.

“I would love to see every freshman be involved in either a mentorship or workshop experience that helps connect them to Ball State,” Hesser said.

Look inside Meagan Mullen's Freshman 115 class with this gallery. 

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