What is the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)?
EOP, enacted by law in 1969, is a state mandated program that provides access to a college education for first generation college students. Students who are from low income and educationally disadvantaged communities are targeted for the program. EOP provides special admission consideration, academic advising, financial assistance and retention services to eligible undergraduate students who are California residents. In addition, EOP provides instructional support to students through the EOP Learning Communities Program.

What is an EOP Learning Community?
A learning community is comprised of a set of core courses that groups of freshman students are required to enroll in together. Because both the students and faculty all work and learn together in a community atmosphere, a supportive environment is created for the student. This helps to foster the student’s academic growth and college success.

How are students placed in an EOP Learning Community?
A student must first complete their EOP admission file, as well as take the English Placement Test (EPT) and the Entry Level Mathematics Exam (ELM), preferably by the April test deadline. The student must then attend an EOP workshop and agree to the terms of the EOP Contract, which outlines the requirements of the program. Upon receipt of the student’s test scores and contract, the student is administratively enrolled in the appropriate courses. A letter is mailed informing the student of their course placement and the university also mails out a confirmation of the student’s schedule in mid-August.

What types of courses are available to students in the program?
Students enrolled in an EOP Learning Community are typically registered for a set of 4-5 courses in the EOP Learning Community program configuration. (See the course listings below for details).

EOP Learning Communities
English (e.g., LS-15, 86, 87, Eng. 1, 1x, 1A, 2)
**Math (e.g., LS-7a, 7b, 10a, 10I, 10x)
EOP Freshman Seminar (e.g., ES-21)/or GE course
Another General Education Course
LS-39b Tutorial Course

Note:
**Students scoring 50 or above on the ELM are instructed to register for a general education math course on their own to complete their learning community course schedules.

What are the benefits of being enrolled in an EOP Learning Community?
There are many benefits to being an EOP learning community student. The program helps to provide students with a smooth transition to college. Students receive academic advising and peer counseling that is critical to their success at the university. Tutorial assistance in English and math and various other subjects helps to supplement the learning experiences of students. Students in learning communities also have a chance to build positive working relationships with CSUS faculty. Peer support and program events also help to ensure the success of first-time freshman EOP students.

How is an EOP Learning Community different from a University Learning Community?
Unlike the university learning communities program, students in an EOP Learning Community are required to participate in the program and are placed in a learning community on the basis of their EPT and ELM test scores and EOP admission status. This helps to ensure that the student receives the necessary skills and support services that are critical to their completion of preparatory English and math courses.

How can I obtain more information about the program?
For additional information about the EOP Learning Communities Program, contact Marcellene Watson, the EOP Learning Communities Program Coordinator at (916) 278-6183.

Freshman Seminar
Open to all freshmen, the Freshman Seminar is a three-unit course that satisfies AREA E of the General Education Program. Many sections are offered and some are part of Learning Communities. All se4ctions have a common core curriculum but individual departments may add material pertinent to their area. Students do not need to be a major in a department to take the Freshman Seminar they offer. Currently Business, Communication Studies, Education, Ethnic Studies, General Studies, Gerontology, Health and Human Services, History, Humanities and Religious Studies and Natural Sciences and Mathematics offer sections to all students.

Freshman Seminar is designed to introduce students to the big picture of higher education. The class will give students learning strategies to make them more academically successful and help them build relationships with fellow students and instructors. Students will learn about themselves and be introduced to the culture, services and resources of CSUS. Because students have a better understanding of their educational task, they tend to get better grades and have a more positive experience at CSUS.

These courses all are numbered 21 (e.g. Bus 21, HHS 21) and can be found in the class schedule and the University catalog. You may call the Coordinator of Freshman Programs in the Academic Advising Center at (916) 278-6351 with questions.