Fall of 2004 marked the beginning of a new endeavor for the Office of Residence Life & Housing. Focusing on the large majority of sophomores in the building, the Second Year at Emory Program (SYE) was piloted in the Woodruff Residential Center. In its first semester of programming, hundreds of second-year students from within Woodruff and from upperclass buildings across campus came to participate in SYE events. These programs offered a wide variety of opportunities for education related to academics, careers, and personal growth.

Throughout the fall semester, SYE provided students with the tools they need to be successful at Emory. Students were offered expert advice from Emory College academic advisors. Additionally, students enjoyed a wide range of social events including a Welcome Back Barbeque to kick off the semester and a Class Pin Ceremony at the end of the semester. Faculty came to Woodruff for dinners with the students, while seniors from the College and the Business School came to inspire the sophomores with their wisdom. In total, twenty-five programs were offered in SYE over the course of the semester.

The events during the fall of 2004 have helped shape our vision and our plan for the future of SYE. In 2005, the SYE program expanded to include all residents of Woodruff Residential Center. A Complex Director was hired specifically to supervise the program. In 2007, the SYE program was expanded even further to include two dedicated residence halls (Woodruff and Clifton Towe). Finally, in 2008, SYE expanded to include all second-year students, andnow attracts participants from all areas of campus.

During the fall of 2008, the SYE Committee identified learning outcomes for the program. This discussion led to new ideas for programs and a framework for assessment. Over the next year, SYE developed a process to identify the needs and interests of second-year students, program around these needs, and then assess the effectiveness of these programs.

Based on feedback from students, teh SYE program continues to evolve and improve its operations. In its current year, SYE offers many of its original programs: the Welcome Back Barbeque, Sophomore Pinning Ceremony, and faculty dinners. Two academic advisors are on-site at the Woodruff Residential Center and offer their serivices to second-year students. Additionally, SYE offers the SYE Kickoff, a series of programs at the beginning of the fall semester that is intended to prepare students for their second year.

SYE experiments with new programming and methods of outreach. To encourage involvement from residents across campus, SYE now uses online newsletters, Facebook, and blogging. SYE continues to develop its relationships with departments across campus, and as a result, students are better connected to these resources.

We continue to evaluate and hone our programming so that it is intentional, outcome-based, and effective. We would be happy to share our practices with other campuses who are looking to implement their own programs for second-year students.