ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY LEARNING COMMUNITIES

FALL Semester 2014 Activity Report

Proposed Learning Community Title: Natural Sciences Learning Community
Activity Director: Dr. J. McCrary, Dr. J. Williams
Other Project Faculty/Staff:____________________________________________
Activities:
Please give a brief narrative of the overview of the semester activities, outcomes and
other documented success.
This semester proved to be productive, with minor issues along the way. While the vast
majority of our students actively participated in the activities and enrichment initiatives
that we have done thus far, we have had to release several students from the Learning
Community in the spring for lack of performance in one or both of the LC courses
(Biology 1 and Foundations for College Success).
The students in the Learning Community participated in activities that will not only assist
in their development as future scientists, but will also help the students identify their
academic and personal strengths, future plans, and career goals. This was critical for
many of the student in establishing an undergraduate, academic identity, and played a
major role in student engagement in their major and the institution.

In the table below list the specific activities of your learning community both in and
outside of the classroom. Also, list the Co-Curricular Activities held in collaboration with
other departments such as housing, student affairs, and the Academic Advising and
Retention.

Fall Semester
Overview of Activity

Who was responsible? List

collaborating departments

Indicate whether
Classroom
associated or
Outside activity

Multiple Intelligences
Assessment
Leadership Activity

Dept. of Natural
Forensic Sci.
Dept. of Natural
Forensic Sci.
Dept. of Natural
Forensic Sci.
Dept. of Natural
Forensic Sci.
Dept. of Natural
Forensic Sci.
Dept. of Natural
Forensic Sci.
Dept. of Natural
Forensic Sci.
Dept. of Natural
Forensic Sci.

and

Classroom

and

Outside

and

Classroom

and

Classroom

and

Outside

and

Classroom

and

Classroom

and

Classroom

Five Year Plan Development

Community Service Planning
Activity
(In process) External Career
Mentor Matching
Spring Semester Improvement
Contract
Fact Finding and Debate
Activities
In-Class Speakers (not seminar)

FALL

Semester Courses
CRN

Course Number

8461 BIOL 2111

8
8485 ASU 1201
1
8462 BIOL 2111L
0

Course Name

Instructor

Number of students
enrolled (Please
include rosters.)

General Biology I

McCrary

35

Foundations/Colleg
e Success
General Biology
Lab

Williams

32

McCrary

35

New Curriculum/ Integrated Assignments: Were there new integrated assignments

and/or infusing curriculum with diverse perspectives and cross-disciplinary materials
developed? Briefly describe these activities.
During the fall semester, the primary goal of the LC was to assist students in the
transition period as they become acclimated to the University. As a result, many of our
activities were self-contained for the fall semester. The spring semester will consist of
several activities that are linked with other departments, such as Career Services,
Advisement and Retention, and others.
Campus wide collaboration: Describe your learning community collaborate with one
or more auxiliary office(s) such as Student Affairs, First and Second Year Experience,
Honors Program, CAAM and/or other campus clubs, Student Admissions, Registrar and/or
academic advisors. If so, please explain.
Similar to the section above, we did not directly collaborate with other groups within the
college (with the exception of First and Second Year Experience through ASU 1201). This
is due to the desire to assist directly with the transition within our department and the

institution. The spring semester will have several activities tied with other departments
to assist with the culmination of the freshman year.
Budget: Indicate how your funds were strategically budgeted to further the success of your
learning community.
No funds were used in this semester.

Assessment: (a) Please list grade distribution for each class and (b) Other evaluations
methods used and results.
ASU 1201 Grade Distribution
Grade
A
B
C
D
F

BIOL 2111 Grade Distribution

Number of Students
9
17
1
4
1