Creighton University : Ratio Studiorum

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Ratio Studiorum

RATIO STUDIORUM PROGRAM
in the
Creighton University Undergraduate Colleges

Introduction
RSP Staff
RSP 100: An Introduction to the Culture of Collegiate Life
RSP 200: Discernment and Decision
Glossary

Introduction

In conjunction with the Deans of Creighton University's undergraduate colleges, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Student Services are pleased to introduce you to the Ratio Studiorum Program - a program for first- and second-year students at Creighton University. This program replaced the Freshman Seminar Program and was inaugurated with the matriculating class of freshmen in the fall of 2006.

The name "Ratio Studiorum" emanates from a Jesuit "plan of studies" bearing the name "Ratio atque Institutio Studiorum Societatis Jesu", and was adopted in 1599 as a formal program for study at the university level. In an analogous manner, the program at Creighton will bring students to understand how the Academy works, how the curriculum functions to form them as young women and men, and how they can expect to grow and develop in the university setting. Unlike the rule-heavy Ratio Studiorum of the 16th Century, the Creighton Ratio focuses on the need for students to plan their curriculum, their career, and a way of life that concentrates on ethical living, service to others, a search for truth and justice in public and personal life, and a search for the relationship with the Almighty. Informed choice is the goal, freedom and knowledge are the tools in this discernment, and faculty and professional staff are the guides. So, although we have taken the "rules" out of our Creighton Ratio Studiorum, we have replaced them with a "plan" for supporting students in academic, career, and personal advising.

RSP Staff

Dr. Richard Super, Director
super@creighton.edu

Richard Super has been engaged with Creighton University for more than forty years, reaching back to his undergraduate studies in the 1960's. After earning a Ph.D. in History at Arizona State University, he returned to Creighton classrooms - this time on the other side of the desk - in 1976. Specializing in Latin American history, he has taught a range of courses in the field and also been active in designing, starting, and administering the undergraduate semester abroad program in the Dominican Republic, three times serving as accompanying professor himself.

At various times, Dr. Super has assumed administrative duties, as Assistant (and later Associate) Dean of the Creighton College of Arts and Sciences, as Chair of the Department of History, and as Director of the Montesinos Center for the Study of the Dominican Republic. He was appointed the first Director of the Ratio Studiorum
Program in 2007.

Ms. Mary Higgins, Associate Director
maryhiggins@creighton.edu

In addition to her role as Associate Director of the Ratio Studiorum Program, Mary also serves as the Assistant Vice President for Student Retention. In both capacities, she works primarily with freshmen and sophomores as they make the transition to college life and strive towards academic success.

Prior to moving to Academic Affairs and the Office of Student Retention, Mary was Assistant Athletic Director. She also coached Creighton's Division I softball team for 17 years. She is a 1973 graduate of Creighton.

Ms. Maureen Beat, Administrative Assistant
maureenbeat@creighton.edu

RSP 100: An Introduction to the Culture of Collegiate Life

Within three undergraduate colleges, students will be introduced to Creighton University's Ratio Studiorum or Plan of Study in this one-credit, letter-graded course. Led by a Faculty Preceptor and Decurion, the course will cover such topics as the Ratio Studiorum at Creighton, the value of a liberal arts education, academic and student integrity, obstacles to learning, and learning strategies. The students will read and discuss a book selected by the Faculty Preceptor that addresses self-exploration and self-discovery.
A Faculty Preceptor will teach the RSP 100 course and will also serve as the first-year student's academic advisor. This is in keeping with the original Ratio's intention to provide a principal person in a student's educational formation. A hallmark of Jesuit education is the cura personalis that the student will experience through this relationship.
A Decurion is a peer academic leader, nominated by a Faculty Preceptor, who provides opportunities for meaningful personal connections in the university setting and expands the awareness of effective study strategies. Together with the Faculty Preceptor, the Decurion will help students achieve the academic results that they desire.
A Beadle is an appointed leader-intern serving as assistant to the Preceptor and Decurion in the RSP 100 course.

RSP 200: Discernment and Decision

RSP 200 provides the student beyond the first year with ongoing advisement and a series of discernment activities and events designed to help him or her decide on a full Plan of Study. This will include the academic core and major/minor exploration.
RSP 200 starts with self-selection of a Pre-Major Advisor (by CCAS students only) made in consultation with the Faculty Preceptor during the registration process for third semester courses. There are approximately 26 Pre-Major Advisors from which to choose through the Registrar's online registration system.
Pre-Major Advisors are Creighton University administrators or counselors that are committed to RSP 200. Students are invited to visit http://www2.creighton.edu/ratiostudiorum/rsp200/ to research their options for Pre-Major Advisors.*
In addition to pre-major advising, RSP 200 offers a series of discernment activities leading to a choice of the academic major/minor. This includes the administration of and activities related to The Gallup Organization's StrengthsQuest assessment, known as StrengthsFinder, that reveals a student's five greatest areas of talent. For a description of the discernment events and activities available to students please visit http://www2.creighton.edu/ratiostudiorum/rsp200/.
The Pre-Major Advisor will continue to work with the CCAS student until the student decides on a major program of study. Upon acceptance into the major, the student's primary advisor will be a faculty member from the department in which the major is offered.

* Students in RSP 101 are welcome to continue to seek advice from their Faculty Preceptor after freshman year, transitioning to a mentor relationship. Students in RSP 102 (Nursing), RSP 103 (College of Business), and RSP 104 (Honors Program), will continue with their Faculty Preceptor or other assigned advisor within their college.

Ratio Studiorum Program Glossary

Ratio Studiorum – Latin phrase based on Jesuit history roughly translated as "plan of studies." Adopted and developed by the Jesuits in the 16^th century and widely used in curriculum planning since its inception.
Ratio Studiorum Program – Name of the program at Creighton that encompasses the freshman one-credit course, the pre-major advising process through major declaration, and the programming and discernment activities sponsored by the program. The program is a university-wide effort, sponsored and funded by the Divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Services.
RSP 100 – A course on the "Introduction to the Culture of Collegiate Life"
- RSP 101 - The course for an incoming freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences
- RSP 102 - The course in the School of Nursing
- RSP 103 - The course in the College of Business
- RSP 104 - The course for Honors Program students
- RSP 105 - The course for new Creighton transfer students
Faculty Preceptor – The faculty member that teaches the one-credit course and continues as the student's academic advisor through the first year.
Decurion – Latin term applied to the "advanced student"; the Decurion will be a junior or senior student nominated by a Faculty Preceptor. This peer leader assists the Faculty Preceptor in the course and is responsible for several class sessions.
Pre-Major Advisor – An administrator or counselor who will be chosen by the CCAS student after the first year. The Pre-Major Advisor serves as the student's academic advisor until the student is accepted into a major or a professional program.
RSP 120 – "Strategies for Academic Success" course
RSP 200 – The designation in the Banner online registration system that allows the student to select a Pre-Major Advisor.
RSP 200 Programming – The series of activities, events and services associated with assisting the student with a choice of major and/or minor. These activities and programs are planned and coordinated regularly throughout the academic year and are sponsored by several university areas.
StrengthsQuest – A program created and sponsored by the Gallup Organization that uses an assessment called StrengthsFinder to determine individual strengths and talents as they relate to academic learning and occupational choice. This is one of the discernment activities available to sophomores through RSP 200.
FOCUS – An online career and academic assessment tool available through the CAP Program to be used as a discernment activity by pre-major students.
Campbell Interest and Skills Survey (CISS) – A standardized, online test that assesses occupational interest and provides comparative measures related to skills. Is available through the CAP Program and is also used in the RSP 200 Program.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – Personality assessment available in the Counseling Center, located in the Center for Health and Counseling.
CAP Program – An acronym for "Career and Academic Planning". This program, located in the Creighton Career Center, anchors and coordinates the RSP 200 programming efforts and facilitates the Pre-Major Advisor Program.
Beadle – Another Latin term, roughly translated as "assistant." The Beadle serves as leader-intern for the assigned RSP 100 section, assisting the Preceptor and Decurion.