Act 101 and U

 

ACT 101 (figure 1)

well to start off many don't know what ACT101 maybe or that it may be a part of their school programs. It's a state funded program  that assists disadvantaged students complete a post secondary study. Bloomsburg University is one of the most notable schools in Pennsylvania having this program. In 1971 Pennsylvania responded to the needs of disadvantaged Pennsylvania residents who were denied the opportunity to pursue a higher education due to common social conditions. In the past couple of years the number of students accepted into ACT 101 doubled and the graduation rates of these students increased.

My friends tell me that other people think that ACT101 students are "dumb" because of their low SAT scores or ACT scores. Sitting in the DDI lab located in room 10 at the student service center where many students in different programs and Classes come to study (figure 2).The DDI lab are for students in developmental course. I couldn't notice the difference between any of the students whether they were ACT 101, standard student, deans list. All there doing seemed like work maybe printing papers or doing homework but I just can't the difference. After sitting there for a couple of hours I noticed that there was always a PA (program assistant) available in close proximity to the ACT101 office and at least two PA's in the DDI lab and one PA at the ACT101 desk.

DDI Lab (figure 2)

 Students in this program come in hundreds all around. Some of the upper classmen PA's get involved in various activities because they wear shirts representing there Greek group. I think having a job helping other ACT101 students and maintaining the everyday life of an Greek club plus classes should be a high accomplishment for a minority student. They help others students if needed at the DDI lab or in torturing services. The ACT101 office can help you with directing you to a service that you need.

During the days of summer students admitted into the ACT101 program attend meetings for a week, introducing the school, giving procedures during emergencies, requirements needed to pass the summer program. It starts of with going to sign in at the commons between 7 and 8 in the morning. Then having the option of leaving or actually staying to eat after swiping in and signing your name. Everyday there's study hall at 5 pm which is mandatory and if your  late or missing from any class, meeting, study hall or sign in three times that's a automatic dismissal (figure 3). Some of the class that are taken during the summer don't count toward college credits so your still behind and might not graduate within 4 years. Passing your classes with at least a C average guarantees a spot in the fall semester.

ACT101 mandatory meeting(figure 3)

Michelle Vera an graduate assistant of Bloomsburg University and a former ACT101 student of Bloomsburg university who encountered many obstacles through her stay at the University. "2009 I never even had a graduate assistant helping me into my transition to becoming a successful student". Her comment suggests that their more services now than before to help students. Tears felt her eyes as she share her experience. "When I had  a major surgery during my sophomore year recovery was brutal. I didn't want to go to class because I was still in so much pain, I got depressed, and stopped going outside. So I failed classes my classes of course". There's a slight pause. "ACT101 still believed in me when I thought for sure I was going to be kicked out. They talked to me to figure out what was happening, gave me tutoring and counselling. I slowly got back on track with my grades because guess what they're here to help you not hurt you"

I asked a random hallway in Ellwell Hall if they knew the ACT101 program . 8 said no and 3 Said yes. I asked Callie Smead a non ACT101 member if she could describe it. Her answer partially valid. "It's when people choose to come to a program before there freshman year to better prepare them for college". "Where'd you get this information?" from I asked."ummm I think my old roommate talked about it". I also asked the difference between college and high school. "College is more own your own time and high school I skipped a lot of class and half the time I made up the work. So I was used to doing work outside of the classroom and I took a course to prepare for college writing".

ACT101 lab sheets

Current sophomore ACT101 student Kierah Fredrickson says "I feel like a normal college student that has to do a little more work than others. I still do the same things typical college students do". when I asked Kierah about the summer part of the program, she made a cringing face like she's thinking about her answer. Her response. Uhhh. At first it was a little annoying to take so many developmental courses and fill out those lab sheets (figure4). but after all that, I think about all the friends I made and my high GPA and it was worth my summer and time.