Did you know?

  • Our school colors of purple and gold are inspired the surrounding "vast golden prairie strewn with purple coneflowers."

First Year Experience

The First Year Experience (FYE) is a comprehensive approach to ensure first year students make a successful transition to college.

Through participation in the First Year Experience, the university has the following primary goals for students:

  1. Become actively engaged with the campus community
  2. Develop relationships with peers, faculty and staff members
  3. Demonstrate high levels of academic performance
  4. Develop appropriate study and time management skills

FYE begins with Summer Orientation and Registration (SOAR). Freshmen will enroll in one FYE class during each of their first two semesters at WIU. These special course sections are limited to freshmen only and offer a small class size of approximately 20 students.

Each student will receive a copy of the Common Reading, which is a book selected to relate to the current university theme. Reading the book and attending related events will provide a common experience for all freshmen.

All First Year students are living together in the same environment and going through similar experiences in their first year of college. FYE sessions offered in the residence halls allow first year students to meet, live, and transition into college life together. These sessions are offered at no cost and take place in the residence halls on Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:00 pm.