1. COURSE SYLLABUS
SPRING 2016
Strategies for College Success
FYE 100 - A0Z1
87033(online)
Contact Information
Instructor: Penny Riley
Email: penny.riley-smith@kctcs.edu
*The best way to contact me is through email. I try to respond to emails within 24 hours
Monday - Friday.*
Phone: 270-852-8615
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. *By appointment*
Office: TRAC Central, L206
Blackboard IM (Instant Messenger) priley0002
SKYPE http://www.skype.com/en/ miss.penny.riley
Blackboard Technical Support (24x7): (855) 546-6282 FREE (Option 4)
Course Description
Introduces students to strategies and information that promote success in the college
environment including educational planning, campus resources, and academic success skills.
(one credit hour)
Required Texts – No textbook required.
Course Competencies
Students enrolled in FYE 100 will be required to do the following:
 Develop strategies and techniques for self-management, academic, and career/transfer
success, utilizing a variety of campus resources.
 Proactively communicate with their advisor in order to foster a mentor/mentee
relationship.
 Demonstrate competent use of information technology, such as KCTCS email,
Blackboard, Student Self-Service (PeopleSoft), Starfish, and SNAP alerts.

2.  Engage in campus activities, including but not limited to: Attendance at fall and spring
flings, common reading events, welcome back cook-out and Student Fest, classroom
observation, and lectures featuring guest speakers.
 Demonstrate an awareness of diversity, which is defined as an understanding of
ethnicity, culture, religious identity, gender identity, physical and learning disabilities,
and socioeconomic challenges.
Student Learning Outcomes
Goal 1: Students will identify their personal and professional goals
 SLO 1: Students will demonstrate improved self-awareness through the
identification of individual strengths and challenges, and the exploration of
personal and career goals.
 SLO 2: Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of their rights and
responsibilities as members of the campus community.
Goal 2: Students will understand and utilize resources needed to achieve their identified
goals.
 SLO 3: Students will apply self-management techniques and utilize the tools
necessary for success.
 SLO 4: Students will have positive interactions with the campus community.
 SLO 5: Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of campus
services.
 SLO 6: Students will engage in campus and community services.
Read your syllabus
The syllabus is your most important tool to understanding the course requirements, due dates,
assignments, and other specifics for the class. Please read the syllabus carefully and
thoroughly, and refer to it often. Most questions you might have can be answered by reading
the syllabus carefully and by paying attention to due dates in the syllabus calendar.
Merit Activities
Students are required to participate in no less than five Merit activities during the semester.
Merit activities will be announced before and after the general sessions, and events will be
added throughout the semester. FYE 100 online students may choose to participate by either a)
attending Merit approved activities, or b) view recorded Merit approved presentations and soft
skill webinars. * All Merit activities must be submitted via Blackboard for a grade! *
Merit: http://owensboro.kctcs.meritpages.com/

3. Guidelines for Merit activities
 Academic in nature
 Instructor led
 Service to the college
 Soft Skills workshop
 Approximately one hour in length, minimum
 Student organization participation (may count as 1 of the 5 activities)
 Student organization leadership (may count as 1 of the 5 activities)
 Service Learning project participation (may count as 1 of the 5 activities)
*All activities must be “Merit Approved” on the OCTC website or approved by the VP of
Student Affairs.*
Technology Needs & Resources
It is expected that all students who enroll in the course have internet access and a basic
understanding of computer use (e.g., using e-mail, sending attachments via e-mail, using web
browsers, and using word processing software such as Microsoft Word). It is also expected
that students will regularly and consistently check Blackboard and their email accounts assigned
by OCTC. Your instructors will correspond with you often via your OCTC email account.
CyberCenter and technical support staff are available for online technical and Blackboard
support. The Cyber Center and technical support are available Mon. - Thurs. 8:00 a.m. - 7:00
p.m., Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. You may stop by in person or contact Brent Lovitt @
brent.lovitt@kctcs.edu, or (270) 852-8979.
Materials and Equipment Required
 Access to a desktop or laptop computer with a recent version of Word or another word
processing program is required. Do not use tablets or smart phones to attempt
assignments on Blackboard. You will encounter many compatibility problems. * All
assignments must be submitted via Blackboard for a grade! *
 It is also a good idea to have multiple web browsers installed on the computer you are
using. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers work best with Blackboard.
 If for any reason you cannot view the course in Blackboard, try using a different browser.
Often this will remedy any technical issues you may be having. If switching browsers does
not resolve the issue, try using a different computer. Computers are available to you in the
OCTC Cyber Center located in the library.
Academic Integrity

4. Students are required to do their own work for this course. Copying and pasting information
from websites, passing off other people’s work as your own, or word-for-word reiterations from
textbooks, primary sources, or websites are all examples of plagiarism. Any form of cheating or
plagiarism will be punished to the fullest extent allowed by the college, which will include a
zero on the assignment in question, and a recommendation to the Dean’s office that offenders
receive a final grade of “E” for the course. DO YOUR OWN WORK.
Please refer to this link for more information regarding the OCTC Student Code of Conduct:
http://www.kctcs.edu/students/admissions/academic_policies/code_of_student_conduct.aspx
Attendance
Students are expected to take responsibility to avoid unnecessary absence. In the case of
extenuating circumstances the instructor should be informed. Logging into Blackboard and
completing assignments is your attendance for this course. Make sure to log on to the course
in Blackboard several times a week to keep up with assignments and announcements.
Late Assignments/Make-up Exam Policy
Unless prior arrangements are agreed to by the instructor for extenuating circumstances,
assignments are due on the specified due date & time. All times in Blackboard are in Eastern
Standard Time (EST). If an assignment is due at 11:59 pm on Blackboard it is due at 10:59 pm if
you are in Central Standard Time (CST). * All assignments must be submitted via Blackboard
for a grade! *
Late assignments will be reduced by 10%.
Assignments will NOT be accepted after one week past the due date.
Tests should NOT be missed!
Last Day to Withdraw
A student may officially withdraw from any class up to and including the date of midterm with a
W grade. After the date of midterm and through the last class of the semester or session, any
student may officially request to withdraw from a course and receive a W, which may be given
at the discretion of the instructor. Each instructor shall state on the first or second class
meeting the factors to be used in determining if a student will be allowed to withdraw during
the discretionary period. An instructor shall not assign a student a W for a class unless the
student has officially withdrawn from that class in a manner prescribed by the college. The
grade of W may be assigned by the College Appeals Board in classes involving a violation of
student academic rights or for academic offenses.
http://www.kctcs.edu/students/admissions/academic_policies/enrollment.aspx
Right of Revision

5. Owensboro Community and Technical College reserves the right to change any statements,
policies or scheduling as necessary. Students will be informed promptly of any and all changes.
Starfish: We Care About Your Success!
This course is part of a student success project between our institution and Starfish Retention
Solutions. Throughout the term, you may receive emails from Starfish® regarding your course
grades or academic performance. Please pay attention to these emails and consider taking the
recommended actions. They are sent to help you be successful!
In addition, your instructor may: (1) request that you schedule an appointment by going to
Starfish, or (2) recommend that you contact a specific campus resource, such as tutoring or
counseling. You may also be contacted directly by one of these services.
Netiquette
The term "Netiquette" refers to etiquette on the Internet. In other words, adhere to standards
of conduct making discussions and other forms of discourse more polite and friendly, to avoid
misunderstanding and confusion.
Here are some general rules:
 Use correct spelling and grammar. Do not use internet or text
message “slang”. Don’t point out spelling mistakes or typographical
errors of others.
 Respect everyone’s right to have personal opinions. Never refer to
someone’s ideas in a negative way.
 Protect other’s privacy like you would protect your own. Don’t give
other’s email addresses, phone number, addresses.
 Respect the discussions engaged in within this class. Don’t discuss
outside of class what individuals talked about in class (discussion
boards, chat, emails, group projects…).
 Humor is okay but be sure that it is written in a way that can’t be
misunderstood.
 Be patient with others. Remember that you will be interacting with
people of all levels of expertise with the technology. Some will be
novices and will not have the experience that you may have. Share
your expertise when it is needed.
Disability Accommodations
Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustment and/or auxiliary
aids or services) for this course must contact the Disability Services Office in the Counseling
Center, Campus Center Building, room 102B. The DSO telephone number is 270.686.4528. Dial

6. 711 for TDD protocol. Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from the instructor
without a letter of accommodation from the Disability Services Office.
Students in global on-line classes are to contact their Home College for disability
accommodations and inform their instructors. The Home College DSO contact information is
located at this KCTCS
website: http://www.kctcs.edu/students/distance_learning/disability_services.aspx. Once the
student has contacted the Disability Services Officer at the Home College, the Home College
DSO will communicate with the student's instructors and/or the Disability Services Officers at
the Delivering College in order to coordinate and/or provide reasonable and appropriate
accommodations to the student.
In compliance with federal law, including the provisions of Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the
Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Owensboro Community & Technical College does not
discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or
military service in its programs or activities: its admissions policies; scholarship and loan
programs; athletic and other College-administered programs; or employment. In addition, the
College does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation consistent with KCTCS
nondiscrimination policy. Inquiries or comments regarding these issues should be directed to
the Disability Services Officer/504/ADA Compliance, Owensboro Community and Technical
College, 4800 New Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY 42303. Telephone (270) 686--4528, FAX
(270) 686-4648.
Procedures relating to Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct
1. If a student thinks that he/she has been discriminated against, the student shall inform the
chief student affairs officer or his/her designee with thirty (30) calendar days of the occurrence
of the alleged incident. The chief student affairs officer or his/her designee shall conduct a
preliminary investigation of the discrimination grievance.
2. The student, chief student affairs officer or his/her designee, and other involved parties shall
work informally to negotiate a solution within fourteen (14) calendar days. The informal
student discrimination grievance procedure shall be completed within forty-four (44) calendar
days of the occurrence of the alleged incident.
3. If the grievance is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student through the informal
grievance procedure, the student may file a formal appeal according to the KCTCS Student Code
of Conduct.

7. 4. If a student feels he/she has been subject to sexual misconduct, those complaints should be
made to the College Title IX Coordinator or other college administrator. Such complaints shall
be handled in accordance with the Sexual Misconduct Procedure.
Assignment Points per
assignment
Number of
assignments
Total points
One-minute paper 30 10 300
Pre-tests 10 8 80
Post-test (Final) 80 1 80
Instructor
assignments
20 8 160
Starfish profile 10 1 10
Merit profile 10 1 10
Merit activities 40 5 200
16 Personalities 40 1 40
Campus Clarity 40 1 40
Library scavenger
hunt
40 1 40
Meeting with
advisor and
completing official
academic plan
40 1 40
Total 1000 points
Grading Scale:
A 900-1000
B 800-899
C 700-799
E 699 and below
Course Calendar
Tentative schedule, subject to change. * All assignments must be submitted via Blackboard for
a grade! *
Session One – Jan 11/24 – OCTC Wired/You, Your Future, Go You!
Activities/Assignments:
 Each session will be provided with a pretest. You will also complete a “one-minute
paper” (worth thirty points each). You will be required to post in a group discussion

8. board. You must login to Blackboard on a weekly basis as it serves as evidence of your
attendance in FYE 100 that week.
 Week 1 one-minute paper : Syllabus Quiz
 Complete Blackboard Orientation
 Student Self-Service, Email, and OCTC Website
 Group Discussion Board: Introductions
 Set up your Merit profile page
 Set up your Starfish Profile
 Complete the Week Two pretest - Due Sunday at 11pm
 View Online Courses: Staying Motivated & Disciplined video
(See instructions for Student Lingo's Student Success videos)
Session Two – Jan 24/Feb 6 – Time Management
Activities/Assignments:
 Week 2 one-minute paper: Time Management
 Library Scavenger Hunt - Due Feb. 20
 Week Three pretest
 View Time Management: Strategies For Success video
* Have you participated in a Merit activity this week
Week Three – Feb 7/Feb 20 – Teaching and Learning Center (TLC)
Activities/Assignments:
 Week 3 one-minute paper
 Group Discussion Board
 Library Scavenger Hunt - Due Feb. 20
 Week Four pretest
 View What It Takes To Be A Successful Student video
 View Reading Strategies video
* Have you participated in atleast 2 Merit activities
Week Four – Feb 21/Mar 5 – Financial Aid
Activities/Assignments:
 Week 4 one-minute paper: Test Anxiety
 Group Discussion Board
 Complete the Westside Test Anxiety Scale
 View Overcoming Procrastination: Causes & Cures video
 Week Five pretest
 * Have you participated in a Merit activity this week

9. Spring Break – 3/7/16 to 3/12/16 – Have a great week off!
Week Five – Mar 13/ Mar 26 – Library
Activities/Assignments
 Week 5 one-minute paper
 Group Discussion Board
 Complete the Berry's Learning Style Assessment
 Week Six pretest on Blackboard
 * Have you participated in a Merit activity this week
Week Six – Mar 27/Apr 9 – Green Dot
Activities/Assignments
 Week 6 one-minute paper
 Group Discussion Board
 Week Seven pretest
 Complete Campus Clarity training
* Have you participated in a Merit activity this week
Week Seven – Apr 10 /16 – Diversity and Intercultural Knowledge
Activities/Assignments
 Week 7 one-minute paper
 Group Discussion Board
 Week Eight pretest
 View Student Self-Service tutorials
 Reading: Cultural Sensitivity Awareness article
Week Eight –Apr 17/23 – 16 Personalities and TRAC Central
Activities/Assignments
 Week 8 one-minute paper: Personalities
 Meet with your advisor and complete an official academic plan - Due Apr 30
 Group Discussion Board
 Week Nine pretest
* Have you participated in a Merit activity this week
Week Nine – Apr 24/30 – Transfer & Careers
Activities/Assignments
 Week 9 one-minute paper: Submit Academic Plan
 Career Coach

10.  Meet with your advisor and complete an official academic plan - Due Apr 30
 Review the Student Self-Service tutorials in Week 7 Content Folder
 Group Discussion Board
* Have you completed all 5 of your Merit activities
Week Ten – May 1/8 – Wrap Up
Activities/Assignments
 Week 10 one-minute paper
 Final Exam/Post Test