Everyone has a story to tell about UBE 101. Some say the class is a great mode of transition from high school to college. Others say it is a great place to catch a nap.
UBE 101: University Experience is a one-credit class designed to teach incoming freshmen the ropes of the university. Some describe it as something of a semester-long orientation.
According to the class's mission statement, the class intends to provide a framework for the success of students.
Each course covers at least nine mandatory core topics: Time management, learning in the classroom, learning beyond the classroom, planning for the future, class registration and advisement, personal wellness, alcohol and other drugs, appreciating cultural diversity, establishing personal values, as well as one class centered around the current year's UB Reads selection. This year's featured book is Barbara Ehrenreich's "Nickel and Dimed."
Optional topics include instruction about campus libraries, campus safety, technology at UB, money management, and the history, spirit and traditions of UB.
Kimberly Arndt, a sophomore nursing major, said she was glad to have taken UBE 101.
"I found UBE 101 to be very helpful for me in my freshman year. Because I was new to the university, my advisors were a great resource for me if I had any questions about almost anything," she said.
Sophomore Krysten Downey agreed. She said there is a certain amount of understanding of technology a student needs to function well on campus, and UBE 101 helped her get a handle on that.
"As a freshman, I thought it was helpful with registering for classes and understanding your DARS report," Downey said.
Not everyone shared that opinion.
"I found this class to be very useless," said Shaifa Farooqui, a sophomore undecided major. "The material covered in the course is all common sense information. This information is about things that the average college student should be aware of before entering their freshman year."
Ashley Dorfman, a sophomore nursing major, looks back on her UBE 101 experience with similar disdain.
"It was simply a waste of time," she said. "They taught a lot of things too late. They showed us how to use MYUB, like, halfway through the semester. So I thought it was kind of pointless after the first few classes."
Nicholas Barbato, a sophomore undecided major, said the only positive aspect of the class is that it provides an arena in which to meet other incoming students.
"It was all right for meeting people as a freshman. Other than that, I would not take this class over again if I could," he said.
According to the goals and objectives provided to UBE 101 instructors, creating a place for freshmen to come together in a shared situation is one of the class's main purposes.
"We want to create a fun atmosphere and have the students get to know each other and have them get familiar with things offered on campus," said Erin Wiszowaty, a UBE 101 instructor.
Many agree that that objective, at least, has been successful.
"The best thing I found from my UBE 101 class was that I got to know other freshmen who were going through the same experience I was. I still talk to some of the friends I made there," said Melanie Bacon, a sophomore psychology major.
Instructors of the course said they understand that the aim of the class is not to be overly difficult or challenging, but rather to help new students better understand the university.
"Our class is fun. There are academic aspects, but it is not a lecture. Students enjoy it and participate and we try and use interesting topics," said Liz Somerville, a peer mentor who helps Wiszowaty instruct the course.
While the class may not be providing groundbreaking intellectual stimulation, many agree that it is accomplishing the very practical goals its administrators have set for it.
"The class did help you keep in mind what needed to be done for the first year and what you needed to think about doing," said Dan Chappell, a sophomore English major. "It was kind of a motivational class where you just went to make sure you were not messing anything up really bad. It kept you in check."
