Hullabaloo U, Texas A&M's common first-year experience (FYE), was launched in 2019 in an effort to retain more students, increase four- and six-year graduation rates, and decrease achievement disparities. The Office for Student Success is now beginnning the certification process for courses to be included as Hullabaloo U certified courses for Fall 2024. 

Certified courses must include the following minimum requirements:

• Weekly group meetings throughout the fall semester
• Four required content lessons (Well-Being, Academic Success Strategies, Mental Health and Healthy Relationships)
• Two required social activities (in or out of the classroom)
• A cap of 25 FTIC students per section
• 1 Peer Mentor per section of 25 students
• 1 instructor (faculty or staff) per section of 25 students
• Instructor participation in the All Instructor Symposium and New Instructor Workshop (new instructors only) in the spring/summer
• Peer Mentor participation in common training in the summer (online)
• Participation in Hullabaloo U assessment, including but not limited to the inclusion of Hullabaloo U items on Student Course Evaluation

The common components of the first-year seminar will only take place in the fall semester. However, programs are encouraged to continue the connection with their students during the second semester. Any students who are not able to be accommodated in a certified school/college seminar or pre-identified learning community will be expected to enroll in the interdisciplinary first-year seminar, FYEX 101, coordinated by the Office for Student Success. 

The deadline for certification submissions for Fall 2024 is January 19, 2024. To ensure that college/unit leadership are aware of programs submitted, each college/school/unit must submit only one certification form for all of their programs. Non-academic departments should also coordinate submissions (ex. LAUNCH, Student Affairs, etc.). 

Each submission requires:

• Completion of Certification Submission Spreadsheet to provide basic logistical information about the program(s)
• Proposed syllabus/course outline to review for adherence to the overarching Hullabaloo U outcomes (sample syllabus provided for reference) and inclusion of the required content lessons and social component. The Office for Student Success will use the Hullabaloo U Certification Form and Rubric to evaluate each submission. 
• Materials must be submitted for all new AND previously certified programs; previously certified programs will have an expedited review process. 

Questions? Contact Meredith Malnar at meredithm@tamu.edu or see FAQs below.