Answers

1. When is the application for admission to Key due?

• We accept students with completed and thoughtful applications on a first come first serve basis starting in February of 2008. The program fills at 190 students, so apply early for the best chance at being accepted!
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2. I have already received my housing assignment in another hall. What happens if I get accepted into Key?

• If you are accepted into Key, we will work directly with Housing to change your assignment to one of the Key floors in Braiden Hall since living in Braiden is required for participation. Note: Once accepted into Key, your housing assignment will automatically change to Braiden Hall within 10 days unless you notify us declining your acceptance.

• Click here for more information about Braiden Hall
  
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3. By applying to and being admitted into Key, what are my commitments?

• Strive for academic excellence;

• Contribute positively to the Key Academic Community of students, staff, and faculty;

• Be a positive representative of the Key Academic Community;

• Conduct myself in Braiden Hall and on campus in a way that positively contributes toward developing a community based on academic excellence, civility and respect;

• Fully abide by residence hall and Colorado State University student conduct policies.

• Register for one of the ten Key Academic Course Clusters (fall semester only);

• Participate in the Key Academic Spring Seminar for 1 hour per week with cluster;

• Meet with my Key Mentor at least three times per semester, including fall and spring mid-semester Academic Progress Conferences and for the Taking Stock Program;

• Reside on the designated Key Academic Community floors in Braiden Hall;

• Check into my room before noon (12:00 pm) on Wednesday, August 20th and attend the Key Orientation program Wednesday afternoon (August 20th ) , all day Thursday (August 21st), and additional weekend activities provided by my college or department for RamWelcome. NOTE: A one time $50.00 early move in room and board fee will be charged to your student account for the early move in requirement.

• Participate in Ram Serve on Saturday, August 23rd ;

• Participate in one Key sponsored or endorsed program per month (8 total) during the academic year;

• Attend “Key Spring Kick Off” at the beginning of the spring 2009 semester.
  
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4. What do Key students say about their experience in Key? Why should I apply?

• "Having the opportunity to be a part of the Key Academic Community this past semester has been one of the best experiences that a freshmen can have coming to CSU. The Key program offers support, mentors, and benefits that most students on campus have not been able to experience"
  

• "I don’t know how I would have handled my freshmen year without being involved in Key! Key helped me in my adjustment to college by giving me classes with familiar faces"
  

• "Key has also helped me find myself in who I want to be. It showed me that there are some things that are worth standing up for. These are things that can’t be taught in the classroom. But through the influences of others and the Key Academic Community, I have finally found myself to be a leader in today’s society"
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5. What are the opportunities and advantages for participating in Key?

• Co-registration for classes : You'll enroll and attend at least three classes with other students from Key whom also live in Braiden Hall.
• Group Study: For some classes you'll attend group sessions (called Supplemental Instruction) with a “master student” – this is a chance to study together, ask questions, and enhance your study skills.
• Feedback on how you're doing : Resident assistants and peer mentors will help you evaluate your learning effectiveness. They can also connect you to campus resources to help you get more out of your classes.
• Leadership Development : You'll have opportunities to learn more about leadership, taking responsibility for your education, setting high standards and goals, and finding ways to get more out of your University experience—for yourself and others.
• Connection with faculty and staff : Faculty members who teach Key seminars, as well as other faculty and staff from time to time may be joining your for a meal, attending a discussion in your residence hall, or simply being an interested friend—someone to listen.
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6. When is Key Academic Community Orientation? Do I have to attend?

• Key students are asked to move into Braiden Hall on Wednesday, August 20 between 8:00am-12:00noon to participate in Key Orientation.
• Key Orientation is from 1:00pm-5:00pm on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 and from 8:30am - 5:00pm on Thursday, August 21, 2008 .
• Additionally, Key students will participate in Colorado State University's Ram Welcome: Explore CSU events, which includes College Day on Friday, August 22 .
• Finally, Key students will participate in Ram Serve on Saturday, August 23, 2008 as part of their Key Orientation.
• Key Orientation is different and separate from CSU's required Freshman Orientation program, PREVIEW. If you have not signed up for a PREVIEW session this summer, you can do so by logging onto: http://www.casa.colostate.edu/orientation/preview

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7. What are Key Cluster classes?

A Cluster is the set of three classes that Key students enroll with 18 other students in the program. Clusters are thematically linked and anchored by a Key Seminar class (KEY 192), a small academically focused class designed specifically for first year students.

• For example, Cluster 5 is titled Psychobiology. Students who enroll in Cluster 5 will take PSY100 (General Psychology), LIFE102 (Attributes of Living Systems), and KEY192 (Key First Year Seminar Class). PSY100 and LIFE102 are large university lecture classes, while KEY192 is a small section comprised of only the 19 Key students registered for that cluster. In KEY 192 for Cluster 5, students will learn how the concepts from Psychology are linked to the concepts in Biology.

• Each of the classes, aside from KEY192, within the clusters fulfills All University Core Curriculum. The Key Seminar class is required for participation in Key and will count as elective credit.
• The student's Key Mentor serves as the Teaching Assistant for the Key Seminar class.

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8. When do I register for my classes, including the Key Clusters?

• Most students register for classes at PREVIEW, the summer orientation required for incoming students to CSU. If you have not registered for PREVIEW, you can do so by logging onto: http://www.casa.colostate.edu/orientation/ . We HIGHLY recommend Key students to sign up and attend PREVIEW early, so that you have the best options for classes. We also recommend this because your room and roommate assignment will occur once you are registered for cluster classes, which happens at PREVIEW.
• If you have questions about PREVIEW or concerns about attending, please contact the Orientation Office at (970) 491-6011 or http://www.casa.colostate.edu/orientation/preview/ .
• If you attended an Early Advising Session (EAS) in your home state, you have already been advised for classes and can register in early May. HOWEVER, if you are accepted into Key, you will need to register for Key Clusters as well, please contact Jessica Klingsmith , Key Coordinator, at 970-491-5663 or Jessica.Klingsmith@colostate.edu if you attended an EAS and have been accepted into Key.

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9. I heard that Key students have a program participation requirement. What does that mean?

• As a commitment to participating in the program, Key students are asked to participate in at least one Key program per month for a total of at least 8 for the academic year. Activities will range from academic programs (time management, test taking, study skills, learning styles, Career & Internship Fair, Choosing a Major, etc) to leadership programs (Key Leadership Retreat, University Leadership Conference, Hall Government, Key Student Organization) to cultural events (Asian Fest, Black History Month, Multicultural Leadership Retreat, Hispanic Heritage Month, International Fest, etc) to social events (Ice Cream Socials, Open Mic Night, Football Games, etc).
• Each student will be provided a list of possible programs at Key Orientation, and he/she can plan the ones that best suit his/her educational and social goals. Students will be given monthly updates on all of the programs that count for Key participation credit.

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10. I want to join Key but I plan on living off campus. Can I still be in Key?

• Unfortunately not. Part of the experience of Key is living together in Braiden Hall, which is where most programs and activities take place. Because of this, living in Braiden is required in order to participate in Key.
  

• Research indicates that students who live on campus attain higher grade point averages than those who live off campus, so we highly recommend that you take advantage of all of the opportunities that come with on-campus living.
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11. Can I request a roommate?

• Yes! You may request a roommate as long as BOTH of you have been accepted into the Key Academic Community.
  

• If you have a friend whom you want to room with, and he/she would like to apply for Key, have him/her request an application by calling 970-491-3658. We just ask that BOTH of you apply because you are committing to the Key Community and not just because you want to room together.
  

• Both parties will need to make the roommate request and can do so by emailing keycomm@lamar.colostate.edu.
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12. I want to apply for Key, but I also want to participate in other events such as Club volunteer work, or other clubs and organizations. Does Key prohibit me from participating in other events?

• Participating in Key does not prevent you from joining clubs or organizations. In fact, we encourage students to become actively involved on campus and will assist in helping students explore various leadership activities to be involved in during their time at CSU.
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13. What role does my Key Mentor play? When will I have a chance to meet my Mentor? How will I know who he/she is?

• We have 10 upper class students serving as Mentors to Key students. Key Mentors are outstanding campus leaders, academic role models, and guides to you during your first year at CSU. In fact, many of the Key Mentors also particpated in Key during their first year of college.
  

• Key Mentors will meet with you on an ongoing basis throughout the year to see how your transition to college is going, conduct mid-semester Academic Progress Conferences with feedback from your professors, and serve as the Teaching Assistant in your Key First Year Seminar Class.
  

• Once you register for a Key Cluster, we will be able to inform you of who your Key Mentor is, because Mentors are assigned to clusters.
  

• You will first meet your Key Mentor at Key Orientation. He/she will be there to check you into Braiden Hall as well as lead many of the Orientation activities.
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14. I heard about the Key Student Organization (KSO). Can you tell me more about KSO?

• The Key Student Organization is the most recent addition to the Key Academic Community. It was founded on February 24, 2003 with the purpose of increasing student involvement on campus and throughout the community.
• The goals of KSO include: helping students build strong character through community service and outreach; recognition as future CSU student leaders; having an exciting year with great activities and programs; raising funds to support future KSO programs and activities; increasing membership by spreading enthusiasm and advertising on campus; and having fun!
• The mission statement of KSO is: to serve as an active member of the CSU community by creating a motivated, positive, goal oriented environment for all students o that they may excel academically, socially, and professionally. We are committed to making our community a better place through service, social, and educational programs. We will strive to build a network for all Key Academic Community members so that they may get more involved with campus and community activities and enhance the leadership of this diverse community. We will promote change within our organization because we know that if we can change ourselves, then we can change the world.
• The motto for KSO is: "The Best Way to Predict Your Future is to Create It."
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15. Is my participation in Key just for the first year? Or is it for all 4 years of college?

• Official participation in Key is just for the first year. Students will have an opportunity to continue their Key experience the second year by applying for Key Plus , the sophomore year Key Program.
• Students also have the opportunity to join the Key Student Organization (KSO), which they can be part of for their entire time at CSU.

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16. Does Key work for students in all Majors? Are there any Majors that would not work with the required Key Cluster Classes?

We have designed our Key Cluster Classes to work for students in a variety of majors because the courses in the Cluster (aside from the Key Seminar) are All University Core Curriculum courses.

However, there are some majors that do not work with the Key Clusters. These majors include: Engineering (Open Option Seeking Engineering is alright), Computer Sciences, Music, and Landscape Architecture.

We are always sure to consult with Academic Advisers to make sure that a student's major is compatable with participating in Key. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact an Academic Adviser within your Department.
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