I don't have a major--how will participating in Freshman Focus or an Academic Theme Living option help me?
The courses offered in Freshman Focus work toward satisfying Washington State University's University Common Requirements (UCORE) or General Education Requirements (GERs), which all students must complete to graduate. If you select a specific academic theme living option, you will be involved in Freshman Focus (in most halls) as well as living with students who have similar academic interests.
How does participating in Freshman Focus or an Academic Theme Living option affect my major if I already have one?
Since the classes included in Freshman Focus are applicable to satisfying University Core Requirement or General Education Requirements, they will help toward graduation. The Freshman Focus course you select will provide numerous benefits of sharing that class with other students where you live, such as being easily able to form study groups and to talk about ideas from your class, as well as having additional contact with course faculty and campus resources.
If I choose an Academically Themed Living option with Freshman Focus classes am I registered for all my classes?
No. Most students should be enrolled for 15 to18 credit hours per semester to progress toward a timely graduation. Your Freshman Focus classes will provide you with only 3 to 4 credits. When you meet with your academic advisor during summer New Coug Orientation you'll discuss courses to complete your schedule and your registration.
I will bring Advanced Placement or Running Start credits I have already earned; how will this affect my Freshman Focus participation?
Your summer New Coug Orientation advisor will help you determine if one of the Freshman Focus courses in your hall will still be appropriate for you.
I may join the Honors College, what are the implications of that for my choice of living options?
The Honors College students have a different curriculum from the University Core Requirements and General Education Requirements. As a result of this, Honors College participants will not have a Freshman Focus option. Students who plan to join the Honors College should give preference to the Scholars Halls (Scott and Coman) or Honors Hall for their residence to enjoy the benefits of sharing other Honors College classes with their living group members.
Won't participating in Freshman Focus classes keep me from meeting other people?
No. Not only will you make friends faster within your hall because you share a class, but you will also still have the opportunity to make friends outside your Freshman Focus class and your theme living group. You will be living among other students in your residence hall who don't share that class. You will also meet people in other classes who are not a part of your Freshman Focus group.
What courses are offered in each hall?
First-Year Focus Classes by Hall for Fall 2017
Every hall has at least two First-Year Focus course that provide options appropriate for any major. The courses for Fall 2017 are below.
Community/Duncan Dunn: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT] or Human Development 101: Human Development across the Lifespan [SSCI]. These courses are shared with other Hillside residence halls.
Gannon/Goldsworthy: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT], English 101: Composition [WRTG], or Human Development 205: Developing Effective Communication and Life Skills [COMM].
Global Scholars: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT] or Contemporary Ethnic Studies 101: Introduction to Comparative Ethnic Studies [DIVR]. These courses are shared with neighboring Northside Hall.
Elmina White Honors: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT] or Human Development 101: Human Development across the Lifespan [SSCI]. These courses are shared with other Hillside residence halls.
McCroskey Hall: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT] or Human Development 101: Human Development across the Lifespan [SSCI]. These courses are shared with other Hillside residence halls.
McEachern: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT] or Fine Arts 101: Introduction to Art [ARTS]. These courses are shared with neighboring Olympia Hall.
Northside: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT] or Contemporary Ethnic Studies 101: Introduction to Comparative Ethnic Studies [DIVR]. These courses are shared with neighboring Global Scholars Hall.
Olympia: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT] or Fine Arts 101: Introduction to Art [ARTS].
Orton: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT] or Fine Arts 101: Introduction Art [ARTS]. These courses are shared with neighboring Olympia Hall.
Regents: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT], Sociology 101: Introduction to Sociology [SSCI], or Entomology 101/103: Insects and People (with optional lab)[BSCI]. These courses are shared with Stimson, an all-male hall.
Rogers: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT], Music 161: Introduction to Theatre [ARTS], or Geology 101: Introduction to Geology [PSCI].
Scott/Coman: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT] or Environmental Science 101: The Environment, Human Life, and Sustainability [BSCI].
Stephenson Complex: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT] or English 101: Composition [WRTG].
Stevens: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT] or Human Development 101: Human Development across the Lifespan [SSCI]. These courses are shared with other Hillside residence halls.
Stimson: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT], Sociology 101: Introduction to Sociology [SSCI], or Entomology 101/103: Insects and People (with optional lab)[BSCI]. These courses are shared with Regents, an all-female hall.
Streit-Perham: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT], Geology 101: Introduction to Geology [PSCI], or English 101: Composition [WRTG].
Wilmer/Davis: History 105: Roots of Contemporary Issues [ROOT] or Human Development 101: Human Development across the Lifespan [SSCI]. These courses are shared with other Hillside residence halls.