The Educational Opportunity Program (338-1646/1085, e-mail: eop@sfsu.edu, www.sfsu.edu/~eop) is charged with providing educational support services for students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Retention related services are provided to enhance the ability of students to complete their degree requirements. These services include pre-admission counseling, academic advising, personal/career counseling, workshops, and tutorial assistance.
Applicants for the program are primarily, but not limited to, first-time freshmen. All applicants must be residents of California and must not exceed maximum income eligibility criteria.
EOP Summer Bridge is a learning program consisting of academic, social, and cultural activities designed to prepare incoming freshmen for the demands of university life. Classes especially designed to develop and improve skills necessary for survival in the university environment are provided. Students are introduced to an extensive educational support service network and are encouraged to use EOP advising and tutoring units, as well as other campus support services.
The goal of EOP's Pre-Collegiate/CommunityPartnerships focuses on early educational intervention to Bay Area elementary, middle, and high schools. EOP also collaborates with SFSU campus organizations and youth agencies. Educational support services include hosting SFSU campus visits, information on college admission requirements, academic planning, and course selection. By encouraging youth to pursue their educational goals, EOP provides a mechanism that enables them to be primary candidates for the program and the university.
The Guardian Scholars Program is a comprehensive program of Educational Opportunity Program services, which include academic advising, scholarships, and tutoring. In collaboration with the School of Social Work, individual case management services will augment its academic focus. Additional services include financial aid, life coaching, mentoring, housing and personalized attention that is specifically designed for foster youth attending San Francisco State University. Because it is housed within the Educational Opportunity Program, the GSP enables emancipated foster youth to successfully engage in attending SFSU while reaching long-term educational and career goals.
Student Support Services is a program at San Francisco State University funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education. SSS was created to increase the retention and graduation rates of 160 low-income, first generation college students and students with disabilities by attending mandatory weekly group tutoring, bi-weekly academic and career advising, monthly study skills workshops, and career and graduate school fairs. The telephone number is (415) 338-2312.
The Faculty/Student Mentorship Program (FSMP) is designed to enhance the retention of economically and educationally disadvantaged freshmen or lower division transfer students (protégés) and to integrate them academically and socially into university life. Each protégé is matched to a faculty and a student mentor who act as guides, role models, and friends. Mentors can help the protégés in focusing on their skills, expanding their growth, and building confidence. Mentors can also help integrate protégés into the university culture. This helps to promote better grades and lower dropout rates. Specific benefits that mentors provide to protégés who participate in the program are introducing them to other college students, referring them to proper advisers for academic assistance, finding specific people on campus who can assist them in solving problems, helping them feel comfortable talking to professors, and assisting them in finding tutorial help when needed. Contact Dr. Jesus Contreras, Director of the Faculty/Student Mentorship Program at 338-2651 for information about the program.
Students can find a strong base of support while pursuing their degrees in SFSU's School of Engineering. This support came about to assist disadvantaged but motivated students who chose to major in engineering. The School of Engineering introduced the MESA Engineering Program (MEP) in 1985.
MEP recruits and retains students in SFSU's engineering program and provides career planning and assistance services. Throughout their studies, the women and men in the program receive academic support, and personal and academic counseling to keep them on track toward their degrees. Success in engineering requires strong foundations in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, chemistry, and physics. The MEP is here to assist.
MEP helps participating students graduate and enter the job market with the skills and confidence they need to succeed as engineers. Often alumni professionals augment the program by serving as primary role models for students who are beginning to plan their futures.
Students are encouraged to apply for admission to the MEP program. Space, resources, and certain types of assistance may be limited; however, all students are encouraged to contact the MEP for information. All applicants must satisfy the general requirements for admission to SFSU.
PAD is a university-high school academic skill outreach program. As part of the program, a multi-task team focuses on the following components: mentoring, tutoring, motivational talks, and academic skill building in English and mathematics. PAD provides an opportunity for prospective CSU students to plan and prepare for the placement tests required for entry into the CSU. The PAD multi-task team, including SFSU students, conducts site visits at local high schools providing information regarding the English Placement Test (EPT) and Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) test requirements that students must fulfill when applying to any CSU campus. The PAD staff proctors EPT and ELM practice examinations, reviews the results, and makes recommendations for improving skills. An important PAD program is a two-week summer mathematics workshop that assists select students to improve their ELM course placement. For more information regarding PAD, call (415) 338-6126.
The Step to College (STC) Program is a collaborative effort among high schools and the Colleges of Education and Ethnic Studies. STC students are high school seniors who take courses in critical thinking skills, computer skills, and other college preparatory courses for which they receive up to twelve (12) units of transferable credit. The courses are taught by SFSU faculty who familiarize students with the format and structure of university courses. Students who participate in the program also receive help filling out university applications for admissions and financial aid, and when possible, scholarship support.
Step to College increases the high school graduation rates of disadvantaged minority
students, helps them make a successful transition to higher education, and increases the
college/university retention rates.
Student Outreach Services (x2355, e-mail: outreach@sfsu.edu) serves as university liaison with other educational institutions and agencies, teachers, counselors, parents, and prospective students. It disseminates information concerning admissions, majors, programs, policies, and procedures. It conducts pre-admissions sessions during high school and community college visitations.
Among other responsibilities, the office participates in educational equity projects, facilitates the EOP application process, and coordinates the operation of the overall university outreach program.
Veterans, dependents of veterans, reservists, and active duty military personnel planning to use their veterans educational benefits, or any student with questions concerning veterans benefits, should contact the Veterans Certification Office, phone 338-2336.