Piloting the implementation and assessment of a new first year experience at Rowan University

The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of freshmen residents of Evergreen Hall at Rowan University during the 2005/2006 school year. The purpose of the FYI program in Evergreen Hall was to increase student retention. Half of the residents in Evergreen Hall were full participants (FP) in the program, meaning that they had a connected experience where their orientation leader for the summer before the freshmen year was also the RA the student had in the fall semester. The other half involved were non-full participants (NFP) the students had a different orientation leader and RA. This study gauged the effectiveness of the FYI program at Rowan University and the differences between the FP and NFP student populations. This study revealed that participation in the FYI program provided promise for increasing academic adjustment, building learning communities, and enhancing attachment to Rowan University