Matthias Schumann/ FOR THE POST Cat March helps freshmen in a UC 115 class with scheduling. She gave the students tips on how to structure and manage their time during the quarter Tuesday. The class is optional for first-year students.

Editor's note: This is the second article in a series of four articles about the changing role of universities to meet the needs of students.

Making the transition from high school hallways to college greens can be a difficult task for incoming freshmen, and like many colleges, Ohio University develops ways to ease students' adjustment.

Dean of University College Patricia Richard said the student population includes a mixture of maturity levels - some students adjust to college life easier than others do.

"University College offers various support structures to help fashion a positive and good transition," she said.

About 500 freshmen are enrolled in UC 115, the University Experience, this quarter. The class teaches academic skills and policies, career planning, cross-cultural understanding and peer support.

UC 115 is limited to about 20 students per section, so students can get to know their peers, said Tammy Kahrig, director of external relations and freshman programs.

Two sections of UC 115 were offered Fall Quarter exclusively for students in Crawford, MacKinnon, Brown and Pickering Halls. The classes, taught by resident directors in the basement of Pickering and MacKinnon Halls, are paired with Interpersonal Communication 101, Kahrig said.

Six UC 115 sections will be paired with Tier II classes Fall Quarter 2000 and taught in residence halls. The classes are funded by a $24,800 grant from the 1804 Fund, which is distributed by the OU Foundation to enhance undergraduate learning.

Director of Residence Life Joe Burke said the residence halls are a good testing ground because they house only first-year students, excluding resident assistants.

The goal is not only to help students academically but also to allow freshmen to form bonds with other students, Kahrig said.

"Pairing is done to help students form study groups and make them feel more comfortable in larger classes," she said. "They will also be more likely to seek out help through other resources if they need to do so."

The Brown and Pickering Hall Resident Director, Michelle Boettcher, said class linking is done to demonstrate the connection between living and studying on campus.

"Learning takes place as much outside of the classroom as it does inside the classroom," said Boettcher, who also teaches the class in Pickering Hall.

Some first-year students said taking the linked classes encourages communication among adjusting first-year students.

Freshman Amanda Joos said her linked UC 115 class forms study groups and discusses campus issues, including alcohol use.

"It's helpful that I know who I'm living and taking classes with," she said.

Although study groups have been formed among UC 115 students taking INCO 101 the connection between the classes is minimal, said Jon Boyd, a freshman living in Brown Hall and taking the linked classes.

"It really doesn't feel like a linked class, because the INCO class is so large," he said.

A study was conducted from 1986 to 1995 to determine UC 115's effectiveness. Kahrig said first year students who took the class earned higher grade point averages, had a one percent higher retention rate from their freshman to sophomore years and had higher graduation rates than students who did not take the class.

In 1995, first-year students who took UC 115 had an average GPA of 2.92, compared with a mean GPA of 2.87 for first-year students who did not take the class. Additionally, 51.6 percent of students, who entered OU as first-year students in 1991 and took UC 115, graduated within four years, compared to 45.7 percent of first-year students who did not take UC 115 in 1991.

Freshman Amanda Jacubec, who enrolled in UC 115 this quarter, said the class teaches her about campus resources, such as career services and library use, and keeps her posted on campus events.

"I think it's a great class because I'm learning about what I can do on campus," she said. "The purpose of the class is to help me figure out what I want to do with my life."

But freshman Jackie Varrone, who also is enrolled in UC 115 this quarter, said the two-credit class does not help first-year students' adjustment.

"For the most part, it's just useless information," she said.

OU also has been revising and expanding freshmen orientation over the last few years to ease the transition for first-year students, said Terry Hogan, interim dean of students.

Summer pre-college now acquaints first-year students with crucial issues, including establishing relationships with other students, handling roommate conflicts, avoiding potential alcohol abuse, preventing sexual assault and becoming involved in campus life, Hogan said.