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For information about SAFE,
Academic Initiatives for Mentoring Students, or to receive a SAFE application, please contact:
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SAFE Activity Coordinator:
Lorraine Ackers
Assistant Dean of Students
Dean of Students Office
119 King
(704)
687-2541
For more information on SAFE:
www.uncc.edu/dos/safe |
SAFE Academic Coordinator:
Dr. Gregory Davis
AIMS
Director
318B Fretwell Building
(704)
687-2377
www.uncc.edu/minafair |
A SAFE-ty Net
Your first year in college is a critical one.
For perhaps the first time, you are making decisions on your own. The
goals you make and meet now will have a lasting effect on the rest of your life.
UNC Charlotte offers a one-of-a-kind support program just for you
Student Advising for Freshmen Excellence
(SAFE) is a joint program between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs that is
intended for all University Freshmen; but is targeted toward underrepresented students.
Not meant as a crutch, but as a SAFE-ty net, SAFE makes use of individual
tutoring, personal counseling, study sessions, interaction with faculty and
staff, goal setting and leadership development to aid in the retention and
graduation of SAFE participants.
SAFE combines academic support with personal
development programming to encourage your academic achievement, positive
self-concept and increased personal growth. Participation in SAFE helps
you achieve not only the UNC-Charlotte degree of choice but also a degree of
excellence in your future.
SAFE: A SAFE Bet!
"I don't need support programs; I was a
good student in high school."
The college experience is a
huge transition from high school. Studies show that underrepresented students have
a tougher time with the transition for reasons that have little to do with
learning ability. Successful underrepresented students are those who are strong in
areas such as self-concept, academic assessment, leadership experiences and
other factors. SAFE provides opportunities for helping students gain
strength in all areas. Our research shows that members of SAFE
consistently have lower rates of academic probation and higher cumulative grade
point averages. In addition, many former SAFE members become student
leaders who then praise the SAFE program for the positive effect SAFE has had on
their lives.
SAFE
Counselors:
Peer Mentors And
Role Models
"My
SAFE Counselor helped keep me on the right track." "It was nice to
know that when I needed someone, my SAFE Counselor was there." "I
didn't always call him back, but my SAFE Counselor kept me informed in spite of
myself." "If she didn't know the answer, my SAFE Counselor told me where I
could find the answer, and sometimes went with me to find it."
Those
comments came from SAFE members about their SAFE counselors. SAFE
counselors are not academic advisers. They are positive behavior and
academic role models who show you the ropes, answer your questions, and point
you to the appropriate resources. Through weekly contacts, your SAFE
counselor aids in your personal development and academic adjustment for a
successful first year experience. In addition, your SAFE counselor guides
you to the many academic support programs that are available.
Student Development: SAFE-ly
Involved
All the latest research shows the importance
of student involvement in academic success and retention. Being involved
means you appropriately and effectively manage your time between studying and
class preparation, spending time on campus and participating in student
organizations. The SAFE program provides you with many opportunities to
become SAFE-ly involved. When you join SAFE, you learn time management
skills, leadership skills, and you become familiar with student services such as
the Dean of Students Office and Financial Aid.
Tutoring
Tutoring is a very important part of the SAFE
program. Specially trained SAFE tutors provide assistance with course
areas such as mathematics, biology, chemistry and psychology. The services
are available in the comfort of the SAFE member's residence hall or other
centralized locations. If you need tutoring in other subjects, your SAFE
counselor can refer you to the appropriate tutor through Academic Initiatives For Mentoring Students.
The
SAFE Members
Joining the SAFE program is as simple as
completing a release form and application. We also recommend that you
participate in "SAFE VOYAGE," your opportunity to connect with your SAFE
counselor before classes start. In order to get the full benefit of SAFE,
you must attend a number of academic support and personal development programs,
SAFE Counselor and large group meetings, and other programs geared to your
success at UNC Charlotte. While SAFE was developed to address the
retention and graduation needs of minority freshmen, the SAFE program is open to
any student who is interested in academic and personal success.
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