Answers

1. When is the application for admission to Key due?

• We accept students with completed and thoughtful applications on a first come first serve basis starting in February, 2008. The program only accepts 150 students, so apply early for the best chance at being accepted!
  
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2. I have already received my housing assignment in another hall. What happens if I get accepted into Key?

• If you are accepted into Key, we will work directly with Housing to change your assignment to one of the Key floors in Braiden Hall since living in Braiden is required for participation. Note: Once accepted into Key, your housing assignment will change to Braiden Hall only after a completed contract is received.
  

• Housing will then send you your new assignment on a Key floor.
  

• Click here for more information about Braiden Hall.
  
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3. By applying to and being admitted into Key, what will my commitments be?

• Strive for academic excellence;
• Have an active involvement in classes and campus activities;
• Contribute positively, respectfully, and civilly to the Key community of students, staff, and faculty;
  

• Be a positive representative of the Key Service Community;
  

• Reside on the designated Key Service Community floors in Braiden Hall;
• Conduct myself in Braiden Hall and on campus in a way that positively contributes toward developing a community based on academic excellence, civility and respect;
• Fully abide by residence hall and Colorado State University student conduct policies;
• Register for one of the ten Key Academic Course Clusters (fall semester only);
• Check into Braiden Hall before noon (12:00pm) on Wednesday, August 20, 2008;
• Participate in Key Orientation on August 20 & 21 and additional weekend activities provided by my college or department for RamWelcome. NOTE: A one time $50.00 early move in room and board fee will be charged to your student account for the early move in requirement;
• Participate in Ram Serve on Saturday, August 23rd;
  
• Register for a Key Course Cluster (there are 8 different clusters to choose from) during the fall 2008 semester and IU175: Public Problem Solving through Service-Learning during the spring 2009 semester;
• Attend “Key Spring Kick Off” at the beginning of the spring 2009 semester;
• Willingly participate in 25-30 hours of volunteer work/service each semester;
• Meet with assigned Key Service Mentor periodically throughout the year, including mid-semester Academic Progress Conferences and for the Taking Stock Program.
  
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4. What do Key students say about their experience in Key? Why should I apply?

• “This experience has changed my outlooks, personality and pretty much everything about me as a person.  Joining Key Service was one of the best choices I have made in my life.”
  

• "My peer mentor played a pivotal role in the development of my study skills and served as my role model. I also enjoyed the different Key activities and during those activities I got the opportunity to connect with other students. I can honestly say that if it was not for the students, peer mentors, and faculty in Key, I probably would have earned low grades and transferred to another school my sophomore or junior year."

• “By doing volunteer service work, I discovered so many things about myself that will forever change my life and the direction that I will take in the future.”

• “Some of the concepts learned in Key Service have helped me to become a better person by providing me with some understanding of what is happening with my service project, or the people involved with my service…”
  
• "I don’t know how I would have handled my freshmen year without being involved in Key! Key helped me in my adjustment to college by giving me classes with familiar faces"

•  “My experience here in Key Service has been amazing.  I have made some lifelong friends and have learned more about the community in which I live more than I ever could have.”

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5. What are the opportunities and advantages for participating in Key?

• Co-registration for classes: In the fall 2008 semester, you’ll enroll and attend at least two classes with other Key Service students. In the spring 2009 semester, all Key Service students will register for IU 175: Public Problem Solving through Service-Learning
  
• Group Study: For some classes you’ll attend group sessions with a “master student” – this is a chance to study together, ask questions, and enhance your study skills.

• Feedback on how you’re doing: Resident assistants and peer mentors will help you evaluate your learning effectiveness. They can also connect you to campus resources to help you get more out of your classes.

• Leadership Development: You’ll have opportunities to learn more about leadership, taking responsibility for your education, setting high standards and goals, and finding ways to get more out of your University experience—for yourself and others.

• Connection with faculty and staff: Faculty members who teach Key seminars, as well as other faculty and staff from time to time may be joining your for a meal, attending a discussion in your residence hall, or simply being an interested friend—someone to listen.
  
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6. When is Key Service Community Orientation? Do I have to attend?

• Key students are asked to move into Braiden Hall on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 between 8:00am-12:00noon to participate in Key Orientation.
• Key Orientation is from 1:00pm-4:00pm on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 and from 8:30am - 5:00pm on Thursday, August 21st, 2008.
• Additionally, Key students will participate in Colorado State University's Ram Welcome: Explore CSU events, which includes College Day on Friday, August 22nd and Ram Serve on Saturday, August 23rd.
• Key Orientation is different and separate from CSU’s required PREVIEW: Freshman Orientation program. If you have not signed up for a PREVIEW session this summer, you can do so by logging onto: http://www.casa.colostate.edu/orientation/preview
  
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7. What is a Key Service Cluster?

A Cluster is a set of two classes that Key students enroll in with 18 other students in the program. Clusters are thematically linked and anchored by a Key Seminar class (IU193), a small academically focused class designed specifically for first year Key students.

Example:

• During the fall 2008 semester, students who are in the cluster “Wildlands Survivor” will take NR120 (Environmental Conservation) and IU193 (Key First Year Seminar Class). NR120 is a large university lecture class, while IU193 is a small section comprised of only the 19 Key students registered for that cluster.
  
• NR120 fulfills a University Core Requirement. The Key Seminar class is required for participation in Key and will count as elective credit.
  
• During the spring semester, all 150 Key Service students register for IU175: Public Problem Solving through Service-Learning, a course uniquely designed and available for Key Service students!

• The student’s Key Mentor serves as the Teaching Assistant for the Key Seminar class.

Students are required to participate in both the fall 2008 and spring 2009 Key Service courses in order to remain an active participant in Key Service and reside in Braiden Hall.

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8. When do I register for my classes, including the Key Clusters?

• Most students register for classes at PREVIEW, the summer orientation required for incoming CSU students. If you have not registered for PREVIEW, you can do so by visiting http://www.casa.colostate.edu/orientation/. We HIGHLY recommend Key students to sign up for and attend PREVIEW early, so that they have the best options for classes. We also recommend this because students' room and roommate assignment will occur once they are registered for cluster classes, which occurs at PREVIEW.
• If you have questions about PREVIEW or concerns about attending, please contact the Orientation Office at (970) 491-6011 or http://www.casa.colostate.edu/orientation/preview/.
  
  If you attended an Early Advising Session (EAS) in your home state, you have already been advised for classes and can register in early May. HOWEVER, if you are accepted into Key, you will need to register for a Key Service Cluster as well. Contact Amy Robertson at (970) 491-3658 or Amy.Robertson@colostate.edu if you attended an EAS and have been accepted into Key Service.
  
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9. I want to join Key but I plan on living off campus. Can I still be in Key?

• Unfortunately not. Part of the experience of Key is living together in Braiden Hall, which is where most programs and activities take place. Because of this, living in Braiden is required in order to participate in Key.
• Research indicates that students who live on campus attain higher grade point averages than those who live off campus, so we highly recommend that you take advantage of all of the opportunities that come with on-campus living.
  
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10. Can I request a roommate?

• Yes! However, BOTH students must be accepted into the Key Service Community in order to room together in Braiden Hall.

• If you have a friend whom you want to room with, he/she can request an application. We just ask that BOTH of you apply because you are committing to the Key Community and not just because you want to room together.
• Both parties will need to make the roommate request and can do so by emailing Amy Robertson at Amy.Robertson@colostate.edu.
  
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12. I want to apply for Key, but I also want to participate in other events such as Club volunteer work, or other clubs and organizations. Does Key prohibit me from participating in other events?

• Participating in Key does not prevent you from joining clubs or organizations. In fact, we encourage students to become actively involved on campus and will assist in helping students explore various leadership activities to be involved in during their time at CSU.
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13. What role does my Key Mentor play? When will I have a chance to meet my Mentor? How will I know who he/she is?

• We have 10 upper class students serving as Mentors to Key students. Key Mentors are outstanding campus leaders, academic role models, and guides to you during your first year at CSU. In fact, many of the Key Mentors also particpated in Key during their first year of college.
  

• Key Mentors will meet with you on an ongoing basis throughout the year to see how your transition to college is going, conduct mid-semester Academic Progress Conferences with feedback from your professors, and serve as the Teaching Assistant in your Key First Year Seminar Class.
  

• Once you register for a Key Cluster, we will be able to inform you of who your Key Mentor is, because Mentors are assigned to clusters.
  

• You will first meet your Key Mentor at Key Orientation. He/she will be there to check you into Braiden Hall as well as lead many of the Orientation activities.
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14. heard about the Key Student Organization (KSO). Can you tell me more about KSO?

• The Key Student Organization is the most recent addition to the Key Academic Community. It was founded on February 24, 2003 with the purpose of increasing student involvement on campus and throughout the community.
• The goals of KSO include: helping students build strong character through community service and outreach; recognition as future CSU student leaders; having an exciting year with great activities and programs; raising funds to support future KSO programs and activities; increasing membership by spreading enthusiasm and advertising on campus; and having fun!
• The mission statement of KSO is: to serve as an active member of the CSU community by creating a motivated, positive, goal oriented environment for all students o that they may excel academically, socially, and professionally. We are committed to making our community a better place through service, social, and educational programs. We will strive to build a network for all Key Academic Community members so that they may get more involved with campus and community activities and enhance the leadership of this diverse community. We will promote change within our organization because we know that if we can change ourselves, then we can change the world.
• The motto for KSO is: "The Best Way to Predict Your Future is to Create It."
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15. Is my participation in Key just for the first year? Or is it for all 4 years of college?

• Official participation in Key is just for the first year. Students will have an opportunity to continue their Key experience the second year by applying for Key Plus, the sophomore year Key Program.
  

• Students also have the opportunity to join the Key Student Organization (KSO), which they can be part of for their entire time at CSU.
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16. Does Key work for students in all Majors? Are there any Majors that would not work with the required Key Cluster Classes?

We have designed our Key Cluster Classes to work for students in a variety of majors because the courses in the Cluster (aside from the Key Seminar) are All University Core Curriculum courses.

However, there are some majors that do not work with the Key Clusters. These majors include: Engineering (Open Option Seeking Engineering is alright), Computer Sciences, Music, and Landscape Architecture.

We are always sure to consult with Academic Advisers to make sure that a student's major is compatable with participating in Key. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact an Academic Adviser within your Department.
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