The first year of college is an exciting new phase and students are managing emotions and making decisions regarding their well-being with their peer groups and their loved ones. The academic demands of college require students to adjust their time management, study skills, and goal setting. Recent research has indicated that some students require more time to adapt and develop the skills necessary to be successful personally and academically. Keene State College has developed the Fresh Start program, a holistic academic support program to provide an additional semester for first-year students to focus on college level skills, and academic and co-curricular support services.
Fresh Start goals:
- To expose students to the skills and information required to be a successful college student.
- To assist students to “get on track” academically.
FERPA:
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, (FERPA) establishes requirements regarding the privacy of student records. Completion of the FERPA Release form grants or denies permission to individuals, parents, or guardians that students identify as being able or not able to access student information/records. More information about FERPA can be found at https://www.keene.edu/administration/policy/detail/ferpa/ including the link to the FERPA Release Form page (to be completed by the student). Fresh Start Advisors are bound to uphold the student’s FERPA Release from access and permissions. It is recommended that Fresh Start students and their parents/guardians have conversations and discuss how to best proceed. Questions regarding FERPA should be directed to the Registrar’s Office at (603) 358-2321.
In order to apply for Fresh Start, students must:
- Submit a completed application by Thursday, January 2 at 12 noon.
- Attend a mandatory virtual information session offered either January 2nd at 7pm or January 3rd at 12 noon. At least one parent or guardian is also required to attend the information session.
- Meet with a SASS Advisor virtually between 1/8-1/10 to review the requirements of the Fresh Start program and determine a student’s willingness and ability to meet those requirements Please note: after we receive your application you will receive an email allowing you to schedule your meeting after you and your parent/guardian have attended the informational session.
If a student is accepted to the Fresh Start program the requirements are:
- Pay an enrollment fee of $250. The fee can be paid on quikPAY via students’ My KSC portal.
- Work with SASS Advisor to establish a plan to resolve any incomplete grades from previous semesters.
- The student will establish a semester-long meeting schedule at their first meeting with their Fresh Start advisor to review:
- Complete self-assessment; set personal and academic goals; and develop an individual success plan.
- Based on program of study and student needs, provide intentional academic advising to build spring semester course schedule geared toward credit recovery and GPA improvements.
- Initiate monthly progress reports.
- Enrolling in one-credit Fresh Start Seminar course in spring semester.
- Register for academic tutoring as needed.
- Participate in peer mentoring with weekly meetings.
- Consider referrals to other campus resources.
Successful completion of the Fresh Start program will be defined as:
- Adherence to KSC attendance policy throughout the semester. See policy here: https://www.keene.edu/administration/policy/detail/attendance/
- Student must achieve a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 1.5 by the end of the Spring semester.
- Student must complete a minimum of 12 credits during the Spring semester.
- At the end of the Spring semester, the Financial Aid office will evaluate student records according to the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements: https://www.keene.edu/administration/policy/detail/academic-probation/.
- Students will not drop, withdraw, or otherwise disengage from their enrolled courses listed above. Students will actively engage with their SASS Advisor to problem solve and connect to resources.
Failure to adhere to Fresh Start policies and procedures noted above at any time in the semester will result in immediate removal from the program and a reinstatement of suspension status. Additionally, students engaging in practices of self-harm (including isolation in room and lack of basic need management) or potential harm to others will follow the same removal guidelines.
Information about how to apply to Fresh Start will be sent directly to students.