Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost
First-Year Experience
The Associate Vice Provost for First-Year Programs oversees a number of programs and initiatives that have been developed to support students' first-year experience.
Office of Orientation and First-Year Programs
The goal of the Office of Orientation and First-Year Programs is to ensure a successful transition to college, beginning with a student's acceptance to the University of Minnesota and continuing throughout the first year.
Placement Testing
Colleges may require a placement test in math, chemistry, or second language
proficiency.
Orientation
Orientation introduces incoming students (and their parents) to the University
as well as their college or academic program.
New Student Convocation
This event, held on the first day of classes in the fall, celebrates the start
of the new students' college careers.
Freshman Seminars
Freshman Seminars are small classes (maximum 20 students) limited to first-year students, taught by tenured/tenure-track faculty on a unique topic of the faculty member's choosing. Freshman Seminars are designed to introduce students to in-depth study of a topic while offering opportunities to engage in dialogue, develop college level academic skills, and build community.
Living and Learning
Communities
Living and Learning Communities are offered as a housing option for first-year students who have similar academic interests to live and learn together in one of over 20 "houses" on campus.