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 Sunday, June 29-Monday, June 30, 2008. More specific information as well as a schedule of events is included below. The cost of the program is $175.00, which includes a $75.00 non-refundable deposit.

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

• Submit Student Intent to Register (SIR)

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

• Register for SUHP: REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED -- Email Deanna Garrett for more information

• Register for Bear Facts Orientation, July 1-2: Online Registration Form: http://orientation.ucr.edu/register.html

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 Sunday, June 29 to Tuesday, 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 Wednesday, 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.  Many students have called SUHP the “Honors Boot Camp”.

Check-In: Sunday, June 29, 11am-2pm in Lothian Residence Hall

Students can check in anytime from 12pm-2pm on Sunday, June 29.  Please plan to arrive by 1:30pm.  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 not included on Sunday, June 29. Please plan to eat lunch before or after check-in. All students should be present at Lothian by 2pm.

Family Welcome: Sunday, June 29, 2pm in the University Lecture Hall

Families are invited to attend the family welcome on Sunday, June 29, 2-3pm. At 3pm we will say goodbye to families and begin SUHP. Sorry, there is not a family version of SUHP. Honors staff will provide directions and walk students and families from Lothian to the University Lecture Hall (UNLH).

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.

Talent Show: Monday, 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 Tuesday 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 Tuesday, July 1 at Lothian residence hall.

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:

Choose one of the following books to read, and then complete the writing assignments below.

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

• Ron Suskin, A Hope in the Unseen: An American Odyssey from the Inner City to the Ivy League

• Jhumpa Lahiri, The Namesake

• Gregory Maguire, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

Writing Assignments:

Assignment # 1 Essay Prompt:
Consider your goals for your first year in college. You should consider some of the following aspects: overall abilities, dreams, and aspirations; academics; career; and friendships and other relationships. In a 2-3 page essay, discuss how your experience at UC Riverside might help you achieve your goals and how the reading influenced or inspired your goals. 

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

Assignment #2:
Using an 8½ x 11-inch sheet of yellow paper, create a “yellow brick” with your goals for your entire college experience. Feel free to be creative in how you display your goals on your “yellow brick.” Please make sure to include your name on your brick. These will be collectively displayed to create a "yellow brick road."  Use your creativity.

Printable version of the Summer Assignment as a PDF

• 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 11am-2pm, Sunday, June 29 at Lothian Residence Hall.

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 Honors Program will provide a shuttle to and from the Ontario Airport, but you must arrange your flight plans to meet the following times at Ontario International Airport (ONT) ONLY:

Depart: After 7:30pm on Wednesday, July 2. (This will be after Bear Facts Orientation)

IMPORTANT: You must contact the UHP office by Friday, June 13 at (951) 827-5323 or e-mail deanna.garrett@ucr.edu to reserve a seat on the shuttle. Please include your flight information including airline, flight numbers, arrival and departure, and cell phone or another contact phone number.

If you need to arrive or depart at different times or at another airport, you must arrange your own transportation. You may arrange a shuttle through Super Shuttle (www.supershuttle.com) $33 one-way, $60 round-trip to/from Ontario.

A: Students will automatically be billed $175, which includes a $75 non-refundable deposit. The fee will be added to your student account. This fee must be paid in full by September 15, 2008. Please see the "Fees and Payment" section of this website for more information

A: Check in for SUHP is 11am-2pm on Sunday, 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 Wednesday, July 2 at Pentland Hills Residence Hall. If you are not staying for Honors Bear Facts Orientation, you may check out at 8am on Tuesday, 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.

A: While families are invited to join us for the welcome session, it is not required. At this session we will provide an overview of SUHP, what to expect, and what we expect of you as a student.

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 May 28, 2008. If you do not register for SUHP or contact our office prior to the May 28 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/ and is due by June 1.

• 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 $1250 for incoming first year students and is awarded in spring quarter only. Students not living in the Honors residence halls are eligible for a $500 non-residential fellowship awarded in spring 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 contact the following:

Math and Chemistry Placement Exams: http://www.learningcenter.ucr.edu/mae/default.html

Analytical Writing Placement Exam: http://english.ucr.edu/elwr/

Foreign Language Placement Exams: http://placementtest.ucr.edu/foreign_lang/

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

• Meet with your academic major department and academic advisor.

• Register for your fall 2008 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/.