Teacher in a classroom

What is UNIV 101L3 / UNIV 179L3?

UNIV is a course designed to help first-year students transition to the academic rigors of college. Students completing UNIV earn higher grades and persist at higher rates than their peers.  

Students learn how to successfully navigate the university system, what study techniques can enhance their grades, and how to live and learn in a multicultural environment. In addition, the classes are small and allow students to develop individual relationships with the faculty/staff teaching team members and other students in the class. This class prepares students for success at EMU and beyond.

UNIV 179L3, designed for EMU Edge, BrotherHOOD and SisterHOOD program students, features the same curriculum content but includes a two-hour themed study session that counts toward program required study table hours.

Students in a classroom

What you'll learn in UNIV

  • Time management skills
  • Navigating the University services and departments
  • The power of a Growth Mindset
  • Academic planning
  • Career researching
  • Learning strategies
  • Critical thinking
  • Information literacy
  • Fundamentals of personal finance
  • Motivation and decision-making
  • So much more about yourself!

Course Syllabus [PDF]

UNIV Common Read Program: Fall 2019

UNIV 101L3 and 179L3 students will participate in our first ever common read program. Together, we'll be investigating "What the Eyes Don't See," the powerful story of how author and pediatrician Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha helped expose the Flint water crisis to to her community, state, and country. 

Dr. Hanna-Attisha has testified before the U.S. Congress on two different occasions and was awarded the Freedom of Expression Courage Award for her dedicated activism. 

On October 3, 2019, Dr. Hanna-Attisha will visit EMU's campus for a reception, speech, and book-signing in the Student Center Ballroom. Academic Support Programs is partnering with EMU academic and student affairs departments to bring this amazing opportunity to even more EMU students.

Recent Comments from anonymous student evaluations

  • "The knowledge I gained in UNIV helped me in other classes as it taught me more effective ways to take notes and retain information." 2018
  • "The part [of the curriculum] that helped me the most was the critical thinking and the goal setting, because I was able to apply these things to all of my other classes. I feel as though it really helped me understand the material more and I also feel more accomplished because I created many goals over the semester that I was able to achieve." 2018
  • "The academic and career planning section in this class really helped me out. If we didn't schedule to go to our advisor in that class I don't think I would have ever figured out that that's what we're supposed to do." 2018
  • "UNIV taught me different ways of learning, note taking, and even studying." 2018
  • "[UNIV] helped me to improve my reading by giving me tips on how to be a better reader and be able to understand the main idea of each paragraph." 2018
  • "[My instructor] made everyone feel involved at all times." 2017
  • "The discussions we had were very meaningful." 2017
  • "My instructor emphasized the importance of networking and planning for the future. The course helped me improve skills that will benefit my education." 2017
  • "[My instructor] had a passion for the material and the course helped you learned more about you." 2017
  • "The communication we had as a class helped me relate topics back to my life." 2017
  • "I liked how [my instructor] related everything to real life." 2017
  • "The instructor is very understanding and helpful. The course helped us connect more to the campus and things around us." 2017