Programs of SYE
1. Enhanced Convocation and Commencement Ceremony
The December Convocation now includes caps and gowns.
2. Recognition of Seniors and Their Families
The Senior Year Experience is also designed to congratulate these students on their academic achievements, and to thank them and their families for their contributions as members of the WVU community. “Proud Parent of a WVU Senior” pins are distributed each year at Fall Family Weekend, and seniors are also recognized at sporting events.
3. The Senior One-Stop Shop
Senior One-Stop Shops are held each semester in the Mountainlair and on the Evansdale Campus, providing graduating students with a convenient location where they can order caps and gowns, purchase graduation announcements and class rings, get tips on resume writing and job hunting, sign up with the Alumni Association and the Athletic office to stay connected with WVU and the Mountaineers after graduation, and receive other information important to graduation. Several University departments participate.
4. The Senior Send-Off: A Zero-Year Reunion
At the end of the academic year, the Senior Send-Off: A Zero-Year Reunion is held at the Erickson Alumni Center. This event introduces seniors to the Alumni Association and its facility, and allows seniors to gather one final time as a WVU class before commencement. They enjoy free food, souvenirs, and giveaways; sign the Class Picture Frame, which will be hung in the Erickson Alumni Center; and have the opportunity to get final resume and career advice. The Zero-Year Reunion is co-sponsored by Student Affairs and the Alumni Association.
For this year’s photos!: http://alumni.galleries.wvu.edu/r/images/galleries/test
5. Senior Year Experience Website
To update seniors and their families on senior year events and opportunities, a Senior Year Experience website has been created. It offers a graduation checklist and tells how to stay connected to WVU after graduation. http://senioryear.experience.wvu.edu/
6. Senior Advice to University 101 Students
Student Council members provide advice to all first year students through the University 101 website. The upperclassmen offer recommendations on how to successfully make it through college, and list tips and suggestions that they wish they had known when they were first year students.
7. Capstone Courses
Through Academic Affairs, seniors are completing their undergraduate education with Capstone Courses that demonstrate the culmination of their work and provide preparation for studies or careers after graduation. A Senior Year Experience intern from the office of Student Affairs, along with a representative from the WVU Foundation, makes presentations to students in Capstone Courses, sharing information about the services and support available to seniors at WVU and letting them know about the Class gift.
8. Senior Spirit Section in the Football Stadium
Section 121 in the WVU Football Stadium has been reserved for seniors and graduate students and is called the Senior Spirit Section. Upper classmen enjoy the quieter atmosphere while cheering on our Mountaineers.
9. Creation of Mountaineer Heritage Park
A city/University park called Mountaineer Heritage Park is being developed in cooperation with WVU Student Affairs and the City of Morgantown. The park is located on the riverfront, south of One Waterfront Place, the building which houses the WVU Foundation and several WVU departments, including the Visitors Resource Center. The purpose of WVU’s participation in the development of the park is to honor WVU alumni, recognize contributors to the Class Gift and promote giving, provide a place to gather, celebrate, and study, and to enhance recruitment and retention by honoring graduates and beautifying the campus/city area. Creation of this park is supported by the purchasing of items such as bricks, gardens, and plants, as well as through in-kind gifts. WVU’s Landscape Architecture students and faculty have assisted with the design and landscaping.
10. Mountaineer Mark Class Gift
One of the initiatives of the 2001-2002 Senior Council was to reestablish the tradition of a Class Gift. Students are asked to contribute $30 to the Class Gift (they can choose to have a portion of the gift given to their school or college), thus beginning what is hoped will become a lifelong commitment of giving to WVU. Having their names included on a plaque called the Mountaineer Mark recognizes students who donate to the Class Gift. The WVU Foundation works closely with Student Affairs and the Student Council on this project, assisting with solicitation for the Class Gift through mailing and management of the funds raised. The 2006-2007 Class Gift was a donation to Jerry West Statue at the WVU Coliseum.
11. Mountaineer Walk
The Mountaineer Mark plaques are located along Mountaineer Walk in Mountaineer Heritage Park, recognizing students who contribute to the Class Gift. The Park is located along the Monongahela Riverfront.
12. Communication Intern.
Student Affairs has created a partnership with the WVU Communication Department. Each semester, the Communication Department provides an intern (as part of their coursework) for Student Affairs. These interns work on creating new programs, marketing existing and new programs, and attending Experience WVU events.