First Year Experience

The First Year Experience (FYE) is a themed living community designed to address the transitional needs and concerns that many first year students face when they enter college. The ratio of staff to students is 1:26, creating a supportive environment that encourages connections with both staff and hallmates. Housed in Markley Hall, Northwood III, and Baits Houses, the FYE program offers theme programming and services provided by specially trained staff members.

Past FYE programs have included movie nights, ice cream socials, rock climbing, a trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to learn dog sledding, learning the ins and outs of becoming a successful graduate school candidate, discussions about how to promote environmental sustainability, and many others.

A number of smaller groups within FYE provide additional opportunities to meet and connect with other like-minded students.

Hall and Multicultural Councils are focused on hall government and ways to improve residence hall living. These groups also organize and host a variety of social, academic, and multicultural activities.

PULSE (Peers Utilizing Leadership Skills for Education) is a peer education program connected with University Health Services (UHS).

Lives of Commitment is a student group that enjoys community service and leadership. They volunteer their time for service projects in the Ann Arbor and Detroit areas.

To learn more about the First Year Experience, contact Residence Education.