UConn Compass is an involvement program that promotes student engagement through co-curricular involvement. The University offers a multitude of programs and services that enrich the social, intellectual, physical, spiritual, and ethical development of our students. The UConn Compass program helps students to explore opportunities available at the University and helps them connect with campus life in a positive manner.
Through the UConn Compass program, students will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a highly knowledgeable facilitator to discuss their experiences, interests and goals. Facilitators will talk to students about their extracurricular activities in high school, academic interests, and future career aspirations. UConn Compass facilitators will work with students to design a customized involvement plan based on their individual interests. The student will attend agreed upon activities, events, and organization meetings. Typically, there will be one academic focus, one long-term activity, and the third is flexible. Students will complete a reflection at the end of the process.
In addition, students who are suspended from the University for behavioral reasons will be assigned a UConn Compass facilitator. This facilitator will be the main contact for the student throughout his/her Suspension and will work with the student when it is time for the student to return.
Submit your UConn Compass reflection here.
UConn Compass Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, freshmen and sophomores who violate The Student Code as well as any student who wishes to meet with a staff member to further explore how to become involved at the University.
You need to call Community Standards at 860-486-8402 and indicate that you need to make a UConn Compass appointment.
This meeting is about you and your connection to the institution. We will ask you questions about your hometown, family, and high school involvement. We talk about why you came to UConn and what the transition has been for you. We will discuss your academic plan and your interests and help you identify activities that are of interest. If you are already involved in some activities, we will discuss whether or not those activities are positively or negatively influencing your academic career.
No, that has already been addressed. This meeting is about you and your connection to the institution. This is to help you be connected with the University community in a positive manner.
Our aim is to help the student find opportunities for continued involvement. Some examples of UConn Compass students who have taken on leadership positions are the Goal Patrol, SUBOG, cultural organizations, and club sports. We have also had students who have started new student organizations.
The academic piece is critical. We try to have at least one of the opportunities be directly related to his/her academic program. There are over 100 academic student organizations. We work to identify programs specifically sponsored by academic departments, academic organizations, and peer mentoring programs.
Students have used UConn Compass to explore a wide variety of opportunities for service, commitment, and action. Meeting with organizations from across the campus, students have attended information sessions ranging from Homelessness to Human Rights.Students have also used the program to get involved with local elementary school volunteer opportunities, University Student Government, and fund-raising for various causes. These students are receiving the full benefit of student involvement while also finding ways to be a benefit to their community.Through this involvement, students are either learning about issues or directly working on their solutions. Students are getting direct exposure to issues larger than what might regularly be presented to them without UConn Compass.
There is a definite benefit to students discovering opportunities to have fun and enjoy their time in a safe and healthy environment. Some students suggest you cannot have a good time without at least one form of prohibited substance and we feel UConn Compass can truly be an agent of change for these assumptions.
We think so. We talk to students about the challenges of job searching and that given two resumes, one resume with no involvement or another with a student who was involved, the latter will typically prevail. Our primary point though, is that involvement increases your skills and experience.
Absolutely, the Probation Review Committee will be examining whether or not you are a positive contributor to the University community. The purpose of UConn Compass is also to help you with that goal. You will be asked to discuss your UConn Compass experience in your review meeting.
Yes, you can. UConn Compass is open to any interested student. Call Community Standards at 860-486-8402 and ask to participate in the UConn Compass program.