Administrative progress

Faculty are leading the transition from the departmental structure into Integrated Clusters. The Provost’s Council was formed in April to support this important work. Council members will represent each of the Clusters and will play an active role in developing academic strategies across campus.

First-Year Residential Experience

PSU recognizes that classroom learning is just part of the picture, along with extracurricular and co-curricular activities, internships, and community involvement. Now the University has reimagined the Residential Life Program to create a new and exciting First-Year Residential Experience (FYRE) that enriches student engagement and the transition to PSU.

Similar programs are found at some of the nation’s top colleges and universities, and FYRE will be a foundational program of the Integrated Clusters learning model.

Classes typically represent only one-third of a student’s time on campus. FYRE adds important value to the other two-thirds with special programs, increased access to faculty and University services, and experiences that help students find their personal path at PSU. For more information, visit plymouth.edu/FYRE.

‘Four Tools’ developments

The Four Tools of Clusters are the First-Year Seminar, Open Laboratories, Themed General Education Courses, and an Integrated Capstone Experience.

The First-Year Seminar (FYS) has been redeveloped to focus on “Wicked Problems,” which last academic year included Gender Equity, Social Injustice, the Role of Civility and Empathy in Society, Causes and Effects of Homelessness, Understanding the “Other” in a Polarized America, the Fragility of American Democracy, and the Pollinator Crisis. All first-year students will take the new FYS this coming academic year.

In addition, a new task force is developing an Integrated Capstone that aligns with the overall Cluster vision.

Tags:  clusters integrated clusters residential life