As the University of Regina welcomes an influx of new students, the coordinator and counsellors of the UR Guarantee program are looking forward to the opportunity to explain the features and benefits of the program.
The University launched the UR Guarantee program in September 2009. This fall the program's first intake of students will register.
The UR Guarantee program guarantees an additional year of undergraduate tuition if a student is unsuccessful in launching their career within six months of completing both their degree and the requirements of the program.
Program coordinator Sheila Leach believes students will benefit from the program's emphasis on developing well-rounded individuals.
"The program's five levels are at the heart of it," says Leach. "They begin by helping students discover more about themselves and their goals to achieve academic success and then support them all the way through to creating an impressive resume and offering guidance for the job search to ensure a successful career launch."
Students wishing to register in the UR Guarantee program must attend an information session at which all the program details are explained. One of the critical steps, Leach explains, is to determine whether a student is eligible for the program. If eligible, students are given access to register in the first level of the program through UR Self Service. After that, they are provided access to UR Courses, an online tool through which they can record all of their activities.
Another key component, Leach adds, is the requirement to complete a minimum of one task from each of the three elective streams - academic, student engagement and service/leadership - during each year. Electives run the gamut from attending a lecture or workshop, or being a tutor or a mentor, to volunteering in some capacity on or off-campus. The UR Guarantee Office offers a searchable database of events and activities that students can choose to participate in.
"We found more than 250 activities on campus," Leach says. "We were surprised."
The three program counsellors - Coby Stephenson, Donnell Schoenhofen and Bettina Welsh - will work with students from all faculties, federated colleges and regional colleges, although each counsellor will also work with a specific faculty or college. The counsellors will be holding information sessions throughout September until the cut-off date at the end of the month. They will then meet with registered students one-on-one to begin creating their success plans.
"Many students are overwhelmed when they first step on campus," says Donnell Schoenhofen. "We can help them navigate the bumps and get beyond daily survival to begin thinking about their future."
Welsh, who previously was a teacher, has seen first-hand how providing students with support contributes to their success. "One of the strengths of the program is that it gives students time to explore career areas, and gives them the tools to prepare themselves," she adds.
The UR Guarantee Office is located at 229 Riddell Centre.
FAQs about UR Guarantee: http://www.uregina.ca/urguarantee/FAQs.shtml
Read the fine print. Examine the UR Guarantee Policy: http://www.uregina.ca/urguarantee/policy.shtml
Check out the schedule of UR Guarantee information sessions: http://www.uregina.ca/urguarantee/information_sessions.shtml