Congratulations on your admission to UC Riverside and the University Honors Program (UHP). You are at a major milestone of life. Now is a time for self-exploration, learning what is important to you, and charting a course for broadening your intellectual and personal horizons.

Your first introduction to University life will be through the Summer University Honors Program (SUHP) experience. SUHP is MANDATORY for all newly admitted Honors students. This is a time for you to become familiar with the various Honors components. There will be assignments, so come prepared to work hard. We also have several fun events and activities planned. In addition, July 1-2 is the Honors Bear Facts Orientation.  It is strongly recommended that you sign up for the Honors Bear Facts Orientation.  Attending SUHP/Honors Bear Facts is your opportunity for priority registration. Be among the first incoming first year students to register for fall classes.

SUHP will be held Monday, June 29 - Tuesday, June 30, 2009. More specific information as well as a schedule of events is included below. The cost of the program is $175.00.

SUHP has passed - please review the summer assignment information!

The following is a list of To-Do items you should complete in preparation for the Summer University Honors Program (SUHP):

• Carefully read and review information regarding SUHP and Honors Bear Facts Orientation on this website

• Register for SUHP by Friday, June 12, 2009.

• Register for Bear Facts Orientation, July 1-2: Online Registration Form: http://orientation.ucr.edu/register.html   PLEASE NOTE: Bear Facts Orientation is a separate program from SUHP and has its own registration and fee.

SUHP is MANDATORY for all newly admitted Honors students. This two-day program is an opportunity for you to become familiar with the various Honors components and expectations, as well as to meet Honors faculty, staff, and students.

SUHP includes a lecture and discussion of the summer reading, as well as an introduction to the peer mentor program, and opportunities to interact with Honors faculty. There will also be a number of community building events and activities designed to help you get to know other incoming first year Honors students.

SUHP is scheduled directly before the Honors Bear Facts Orientation session (July 1-2), so that Honors students only need to come to campus once for both programs. If you attend the Honors Bear Facts Orientation July 1-2, you do NOT need to attend another college-specific Bear Facts session later in July. Students will attend SUHP and then automatically transition into Bear Facts Orientation. You will be housed on campus the entire time.

During SUHP, you will be housed on campus the entire time. Living on campus is required, and we do not allow students to commute to the summer program. The residential component is an important aspect of the SUHP experience. The SUHP fee includes housing overnight from Monday, June 29 to Wednesday, July 1. On the morning of July 1, Honors students will transition directly into Honors Bear Facts Orientation. Students will then be housed for Bear Facts Orientation through Thursday, July 2.

SUHP schedule is packed with numerous academic and social activities designed to orient to the Honors Program. With just two short days, we have attempted to include as much information and fun as possible. As a result, you should expect to have sessions beginning in the morning and continuing into the evening. 

Check-In: Monday, June 29, 9:00AM - 11:00AM in Lothian Residence Hall

Students can check in anytime from 9am-11am on Monday, June 29.  Please plan to arrive by 10:30am at latest.  Check in will be in Lothian Residence Hall. Please see the Directions and Parking section below for more detailed directions to Lothian. Please note that lunch is included on Monday, June 29th for students only. Families must plan to eat lunch on their own. At 11am, students will go to lunch.

Students will attend an academic lecture and discussion, and other various workshops and sessions. In addition, students will have an opportunity to participate in some of the most popular SUHP events: hall Olympics, the talent show, and the farewell dance. SUHP will officially end with check out on Wednesday, July 1 at 8am.

Talent Show: Tuesday, June 30

The SUHP talent show is an annual tradition to showcase the various talents of our students. We invite you to participate (singing, playing music, poetry, dance, skits, etc.)! You may wish to bring an instrument or materials to participate. In previous years, students have brought guitars, ballet shoes, batons, self-written poetry, and CD's of music. Other students have collaborated with fellow students after they met at SUHP to put together a performance.  Prizes will be awarded to winners!

Students will transition from SUHP to Honors Bear Facts Orientation on Wednesday morning, July 1. Students will move from Lothian residence hall to Pentland Hills residence hall, the location of Bear Facts Orientation. This transition is coordinated by staff.

Students will check out from Bear Facts Orientation at 5:30pm at Pentland Hills residence hall. Students who are not staying for Honors Bear Facts Orientation, may check out at 8am on Wednesday, July 1 at Lothian residence hall.
 

PDF VERSION OF ASSIGNMENT

In preparation for the lecture and discussion at SUHP, you are asked to complete the reading and writing assignment included below. You must complete the reading prior to coming to SUHP.  Additionally, you are required to complete the written assignment, print it out, and bring it with you to SUHP. You will turn in your written assignment at SUHP check-in. You will not be allowed to check in at SUHP without the written assignment completed.

Reading Assignment:
Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder.

Mountains Beyond Mountains is available at local libraries and bookstores. You may also purchase a used, discounted copy online at half.com, amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and borders.com.

**Mountains Beyond Mountains will also be used during the First Year Honors course HNPG 009, so you are encouraged to take notes and bring them with you in the fall.**
 

Writing Assignment:
Choose ONE of the following essay prompts and write a 2-3 page reflection paper responding to the prompt. You are encouraged to use specific examples for both the book and your own life.

1. How did the book Mountains Beyond Mountains influence your ideas about civic engagement and personal responsibility? How might you participate in civic engagement while a student at UC Riverside?

2. What is the significance and meaning of the book’s title Mountains Beyond Mountains, taken from the Haitian proverb “beyond mountains there are mountains.” What does this phrase mean to you and your own life?

3. Do you think Paul Farmer inspires others to work for the common good? Explain how and why you think this. What effect or meaning does Paul Farmer’s story have on you personally? How might you participate in civic engagement at UC Riverside?

4. How do you believe Paul Farmer’s unique childhood influenced who he became as an adult? How did your own childhood influence the person you are becoming? What are your goals and how might your experience at UC Riverside help you achieve these goals?
 

Essay Guidelines:
2-3 pages
12 pt. Font, Times New Roman
Double Spaced
1-inch Margins
 

Honors Community Service Fund:

The University Honors Program collects donations for local non-profit organizations to help local families and children in need throughout the academic year. Students are encouraged to bring $5 to donate at SUHP. Donations will be collected at check in.

• Sleeping bag (or twin sheets and blanket) and pillow
• Towel and washcloth
• Toiletries (shampoo, soap, and toothpaste)
• Clothing Tip: Riverside is quite warm during the summer months and cool, casual dress is appropriate for SUHP. A light sweater or jacket may be desired for evenings. Bring clothes hangers if you wish to hang your clothes (dresser drawers are provided).
• School supplies (notebook, paper, pen)
• Alarm clock
• Water bottle
• Any instruments or materials you might need if you want to participate in the SUHP Talent Show!
• Spending money for incidentals (snacks, UCR items at the Campus Bookstore)
• Any other small items you wish to bring.
• You should NOT bring a computer. There will not be a working Ethernet connection in your room. The University is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Students who bring valuable items do so at their own risk.

Plan to arrive between 9am - 11am, Monday, June 29 at Lothian Residence Hall. All students must be checked in by 11am.

Take the University Avenue exit from the 60 freeway and turn left at the bottom of the ramp (East towards the University). Once you arrive on the campus, look for blue and yellow signs reading "Honors SUHP" to direct you to parking lot 14 by Lothian Residence Hall.

An interactive map of the University is available at http://www.campusmap.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/mapit.cgi

Parking for the day will be $10. You may pay the attendant in the lot when you arrive for check-in. Drop-off is free. If you choose to bring a car for all of SUHP, you will need to purchase a week-long parking pass ($26) when you arrive.

Parking for SUHP will be in the Lothian Residence Hall lot. Students will need to move cars to Pentland Hills Lot 21 for Bear Facts Orientation.  (See your Bear Facts Orientation page for more information)

The closest airport to UC Riverside is Ontario International Airport (ONT), located about 25 minutes from UCR. There are shuttles and taxis available from and to the airport, and students must make their own arrangements for transportation.

You should schedule your flight to Ontario to ARRIVE no later than 10am on Monday, June 29 (check in for SUHP will end at 11am) and your flight from Ontario to DEPART no earlier than 7:30pm on Thursday, July 2 (Bear Facts Orientation will end at 5:30pm).

Sorry, due to the large number of students, the Honors Program is unable to provide transportation to/from the airport.

Shuttle Information:
UC Riverside's zip code is 92521.

Super Shuttle (800-BLUE-VANS) or www.supershuttle.com offers a rate of $37/person one-way and $9/each additional person from Ontario Airport.

Prime Time Shuttle (800-RED-VANS) or www.primetimeshuttle.com offers a rate of $31/person one-way and $10/each additional person from Ontario Airport.

A: Students will automatically be billed $175. The fee will be added to your student account. Please see the "Fees and Payment" section of this website for more information

A: Check in for SUHP is 9am-11pm on Monday, June 29 in Lothian Residence Hall. See the directions and map section on our SUHP website for directions to UCR and Lothian Residence Hall. Check out is 5:30pm on Thursday, July 2 at Pentland Hills Residence Hall. If you are not staying for Honors Bear Facts Orientation, you may check out at 8am on Wednesday, July 1 at Lothian Residence Hall.

A: SUHP is your chance to learn more about the Honors Program, meet other incoming Honors students, get to know current Honors students, staff, and faculty, become oriented to the campus, and gain a head start to college. We will have academic lectures and discussions, but we’ll also have social events like a talent show, dance, and everyone’s favorite—Hall Olympics. Students typically enjoy their SUHP experience and leave energized and excited for the upcoming year.

Q: When do I register for classes?

A: Bear Facts Orientation is your opportunity to register for fall quarter classes. Attending the Honors Bear Facts Orientation (Session 1, July 1-2) is your opportunity for priority registration.

A: You should bring a sleeping bag (or twin sheets and blanket) and a pillow, a towel and washcloth, toiletries (shampoo, soap, and toothpaste), school supplies (notebook, paper, pen), alarm clock, spending money, and any other small items you wish to bring. You should NOT bring a computer. There will not be a working Ethernet connection in your room. The University is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Students who bring valuable items do so at their own risk.

A: Yes, although it is not necessary. If you choose to bring a car, you will need to purchase a week-long parking pass ($26) when you arrive.

• You must complete your online registration for SUHP by June 12, 2009. If you do not register for SUHP or contact our office prior to the June 12th deadline, you may lose your space in the University Honors Program.
• You must bring your completed written assignment with you to SUHP check in.
• Students with disabilities who require accommodations should contact the Honors Program directly to discuss your specific needs during SUHP.
• As a reminder, SUHP is a mandatory program. If you cannot attend SUHP, you must contact Deanna Garrett, Lower Division Coordinator at deanna.garrett@ucr.edu or 951-827-5323.
• Emergency Contact: If you need to contact a student during SUHP for an emergency, call: 951-827-5323. During Bear Facts Orientation, call 951-827-2789.
• SUHP Talent Show: Don’t forget about the talent show! We invite you to participate (singing, playing music, poetry, dance, skits, etc.)! You may wish to bring an instrument or materials to participate.
• Registering for fall quarter classes: Students will register for classes during Bear Facts Orientation. You will have the opportunity to meet with an academic advisor to discuss your major and breadth requirements and plan your fall schedule on day two of orientation. During SUHP, students will be advised about Honors courses.
• Honors Housing: The Honors Program offers two residential living/learning communities for students who wish to live together with other Honors students. If you wish to live in Honors Housing in Pentland Hills or Aberdeen Inverness (A&I), you must indicate your preference on the housing application. The application for on-campus housing is available on the Housing website at: http://housing.ucr.edu/.

• Honors Fellowships: The University Honors Program offers a residential fellowship for students living in the Honors floors in the Honors residence halls in Pentland Hills and Aberdeen Inverness (A&I). The residential fellowship is awarded in spring quarter only. Students not living in the Honors residence halls are eligible for a  non-residential fellowship awarded in spring quarter. The 2009-10 Award amount will be announced at the beginning of the Fall quarter. For more information about the Honors fellowships, please see our website: http://honors.ucr.edu/fellowship.html

Attending Honors Bear Facts is your opportunity for priority registration and to be the first among incoming first year students to register for fall classes. If you cannot attend Honors Bear Facts Orientation, you must register for another Bear Facts Orientation Session in July. SUHP is not a substitute for Bear Facts Orientation.

For more information and to register for Bear Facts Orientation, please go to the Orientation website: http://orientation.ucr.edu/

1) You should register for the Honors Bear Facts Orientation session (Session 1, July 1-2). Register for Bear Facts Orientation by June 1. This will be your opportunity to register for fall classes. Honors students attending SUHP will transition directly from SUHP to the Honors Bear Facts Orientation.

2) Register for Bear Facts Orientation on-line at http://orientation.ucr.edu/. For more information, contact the Bear Facts Orientation Program at: 951-827-2789 or via email: orientation@ucr.edu.

3) DO NOT send Bear Facts Orientation payment to the University Honors Program. SUHP and Bear Facts are two separate programs. Please refer to the Bear Facts Orientation website for payment details.

4) You will need to complete the pre-orientation online module prior to attending Bear Facts Orientation. The online module will help you learn more about what to expect at Orientation and how to register for your courses. The online module is available at: http://orientation.ucr.edu/online_module.html

5) If you are required to take the Analytical Writing Placement Exam and the Math Advisory Exam, complete these prior to coming to SUHP and Bear Facts Orientation. For more information on placement exams, please see: http://placementtest.ucr.edu

6) During Honors Bear Facts Orientation, you will be able to:

• Meet with your academic major department and academic advisor.

• Register for your Fall 2009 classes before other incoming students.

• Learn about other student services available on campus.

• Enjoy live entertainment in the evening and socialize with new friends.

• Get your student ID before the crowds come in September.

Remember: although the Summer University Honors Program and Bear Facts Orientation work closely together, Bear Facts is a separate program from the Summer University Honors Program. You must register online for Bear Facts Orientation at http://orientation.ucr.edu/.

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