Project Abstract We studied the needs of incoming students because we wanted to find out how they can more effectively acclimate to CSUMB's unique culture. Our goal was to produce an addition to the current CSUMB website containing information that we and other students found lacking to our acclimation to CSUMB. We also applied for a capstone grant to try and make a booklet to distribute the information in more than one media. We did not get the grant and all our information is being presented in the form of a website. We used the information provided by the CSUMB Prospective Student link website and added our peer insight and experiences to the information. We also added in information that we found lacking in the website based on our own experiences as new students at CSUMB.

Project Context and Contributions Based on our experiences, and the experiences of those we have helped through their transition into CSUMB life, as a transfer student and a four year student we are making a student handbook filled with peer insight to help aid new students in their decision to attend CSUMB and help them assimilate to its unique culture. We will be integrating journalism skills by interviewing as part of our research and of final product, the guidebook, will be published. We will be integrating the Single Subject English portion by analyzing the affects that CSUMB's unique jargon and dialect have on a students ability to adapt to life on campus.

Project Format We are presenting our information in the form of a website attached to the HCOM link on the CSUMB website.

University Life: CSUMB Water Polo 2006 Source: Janelle Pelzel , photographer. 2006

Research Questions Main Question: How can we most effectively aid students in their assimilation to CSUMB? What is lacking from the CSUMB website from the perspective of a transfer and new student? Is the current iformation lacking because it is not based on experience? What information do students need to acclimate to CSUMBs culture both academically and residentially? What are the difficulties new students have familiarizing themselves with CSUMBs jargon and what can we do to aid that transition? What are the resources that have been previously used in the web guide for prospective students, and what organization can aid us in achieving our goal of creating a guidebook? What is the most effective way to convey our peer insights to new students and why? What are the effects of having a large amount of the student population living on campus?

Evidence We used different types of sources for this project with a focus on our peers because our aim was to help them acclimate to CSUMB. We are analyzing different types of psychological effects that students deal with when changing schools or first coming to college through scholarly articles. We also used peer focus groups and formal interviews with students and faculty on campus to get more insight on what .

Key Findings What we found out is that the hardships that we experienced were universal to most students who come here. There is a lot of new and different technology that students must aclimate to without much help from the website. Most students used peers and the expereinces of others to help them navigate through the first and most crucial months at school here. We also learned that though the current website is undergoing many new additions and upgrades it is still very difficult to find some of the key concepts of our school online. (ie MLO, ILP and other key tools to your academic career)

Selected Bibliography Consolvo, C. (2002). Building student success through enhanced coordinated student services. Journal of College Student Development, 284-287. Enochs, Wendy K., and Catherine B. Roland. "Social adjustment of college freshmen: the importance of gender and living environment." College Student Journal 40.1 (March 2006): 63(11). Flaga, Catherine T. "The Process of Transition for Community College Transfer Students." Community College Journal of Research and Practice 30 (2006): 373-19. 17 Jan. 2007. Holmbeck, G. N., & Leake, C. (1999). Separation-individuation and psychological adjustment in late adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 28, 563-581. Pappano, Laura. "Lost, Alone and Not a Freshman." The New York Times 23 Apr. 2006. 17 Jan. 2007. Pappano, Laura. "The Transfer Student Nightmare: Getting Credit Where Credit is Due." The New York Times 23 Apr. 2006. 17 Jan. 2007. Figueroa, Gary. Personal interview. 7 Jan. 2007. Student Athlete Focus Group. Personal interview. 9 Jan. 2007. Student Focus Group 1. Personal interview. 5 Jan. 2007. Student Focus Group 2. Personal interview. 16 Jan. 2007. Vignau, Sherrie. Personal interview. 7 Jan. 2007.