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Parent Enrichment Program

The Parent Enrichment Program (PEP) is a new service offered by College Enrichment / Special Programs to provide information to parents about the University of New Mexico. More information about this program will be coming soon.

View Parent Enrichment Program Brochure
 
 


Frequently Asked Questions for Students and Parents

FAQ's For Students:

Welcome parents to the CEP website. CEP is committed to assisting your son or daughter with excelling at the University of New Mexico. As a student retention program, CEP strives to provide quality services to meet your students’ academic, social and personal needs. CEP encourages parents to become a partner with the program in order to assist your son or daughter in the best way possible. This page includes information that highlights the program and questions that may help you better understand your student’s UNM experience.

Congratulations parents on helping your student reach college. The years of support, encouragement, and dedication to your student has proven that you have done an outstanding job!

 

 

What is the College Enrichment Program?

CEP is a retention program that was established at the University of New Mexico in 1969. The program's goal is to help recruit and retain students to the university. CEP works closely with students and parents to insure academic success. Tutoring, mentoring, and academic advising are a few of the services that are provided by the program. Grade checks are also administered during mid-semester to review each student’s academic progress. These programs help students stay on track with their academics.


How can I get involved with CEP?

Any student has the opportunity to participate in CEP. In order to take part in the program, you MUST participate in the summer freshman orientation program. To apply for orientation students need to fill out a CEP application. You can fill out the application on the CEP web page.


What is the difference between LOBO orientation and CEP orientation?


LOBO orientation and CEP orientation are both considered being the main orientation programs students can choose to attend. You do not have to go through both orientations.
Students who select CEP continue with the program after orientation.

 

Why was I selected to participate in CEP?

If you have received a letter stating that you must participate in CEP, please contact our office ASAP. Students who have an ACT of 16 and below are required being in CEP. Because of CEP’s academic support services, students with a low ACT are given the support needed to succeed academically.
Students who are admitted to university under special admissions are required to take part in the CEP program as well as fulfill the program’s requirement.

 

Is CEP a remedial program?

CEP is a student retention program that helps students reach their academic, social and personal goals. CEP carries a high reputation amongst campus departments, staff, and faculty, due to the quality of services provided for students. CEP represents many students who can include student scholars, student athletes, non-traditional students, students from diverse ethnic backgrounds and genders.

 

How long am I considered a CEP student?

Students who participate in CEP will always be considered to be a CEP student. “Once a CEP student, always a CEP student.” Students are given continued assistance at the undergraduate, graduate, professional, and alumni level.

What services are available to me?

CEP offers a series of services to students to insure academic success. Services include academic advising, one on one tutoring, peer mentoring, and many other programs that enhance the student’s college experience.

 

What is the Freshman Scholars Program?

The Freshman Scholars program was developed to help fist year students adjust to the college environment. Each freshman student is assigned to a family group. An educational assistant serves as the family group’s peer mentor during their first year of college. The family groups work together in building academic, social, and personal skills that help students during their college careers. All family groups are required to take a common class together. This class will be assigned during orientation.


Do I have to participate in the family groups?

The family groups are a critical component to student development. Statistics administered by CEP have clearly indicated a connection with student success and participation in the program. Students who participate with the family group requirements are more likely to excel academically, socially, and personally. While students who do not wish to participate, tend not to do well in these areas. The family group helps students develop a sense of belonging to the university as well as offers the skills that are needed to be academically prepared.

 

What classes will I be taking as a freshman student?

CEP follows university advisement rules. Students are placed in classes based on their ACT/SAT scores. Additionally, CEP works to help students develop a well-balanced schedule that includes fulfilling core classes and major requirements. The CEP academic counselors will work closely with students on an individual basis to develop a schedule that incorporates a student’s academic interest, physical growth, scholarship requirements, and work schedules.

Do I have to take 100 level classes?

Students will be placed into specific classes based on ACT scores. Some students may be required to take 100 level classes. The 100 level classes do not count toward graduation credit hours, but are university pre-requisites for other classes. Remember, it is not where you start your educational career, it is more important that you end up with a college degree. The 100 courses are offered to help students improve in the areas that they may not be strong in.


Can I compass out of the 100 classes?

At CEP orientation, students are given the opportunity to test out of the 100 level classes. The compass is administered the first day of orientation. Students are allowed only ONE attempt to test out of these classes. Students’ academic schedule will reflect the compass scores.


What is CEP?

CEP is a student retention program that was developed in 1969 to assist students with the transition from high school to college. CEP enrolls approximately 350 students per summer. Currently, there are 1500 students in the program and 9, 000 alumni. The program provides specific programs that support students in the areas of academic, social, and personal.
CEP has an outstanding reputation on campus due to retention and graduation rates. Services include academic advisement, peer mentoring, academic tutoring, career exploration, personal support, and much more.

How can my student be involved in CEP?

Students can enroll in the program by filling out a CEP summer orientation program application. Enrollment is based on first come first serve. An on-line application is available on our CEP’s homepage.

Once a student fills out the application and selects a freshmen orientation session, your student will be notified by mail of his or her acceptance into the program. You can call CEP at 277-5321 to check on your admission status to the program.

What is the difference between LOBO orientation and CEP orientation?

Both LOBO and CEP are freshman orientation programs. Every freshman must attend one of the two orientations. CEP is a four day three night orientation held on campus. Students are required to stay in the dorms for the duration of this time. Students will also be assigned to a family group and an educational assistant. The family groups will work together with their educational assistant throughout the academic year. They will take a class together as well as meet on a weekly basis. On a weekly basis, the educational assistants will provide important information that can help your student have a successful semester. Upon completion of the orientation program, CEP students remain in the program.

How much is the orientation fee? Do I have to pay this fee before hand?

The orientation fee for either CEP or LOBO is $125.00. No, you do not have to pay this amount
right away. The fee will be billed to your student’s account at the beginning of the school year.

Does CEP waive the orientation fee?

At this time, we are unable to provide waivers for the orientation fee.


My student scored a 16 or below on the ACT exam. Why do they need to be in CEP?

CEP is a premier retention program at the University of New Mexico. Your student was referred to take part in our program because of the services offered. UNM uses the ACT scores as a predictor for identifying areas that may be challenging to students. In order to ensure that your student is successful, CEP will assist your student throughout their college career with mentoring, tutoring, academic advising, choosing a major, and administering mid-semester grade checks.


My student just informed me that they have to take 100 level classes because of the ACT. How is my student placed into their academic classes?

Students will be placed into classes based on their ACT scores. Some students will have to take 100 level courses. These courses do not count toward graduation credit hours, but are required as pre-requisites for upper division classes.


Can my student test out of the 100 level classes?

CEP offers the compass exam to students. This exam allows students the opportunity to test out of 100 level classes (reading, math, or English). If students test out of any of the 100 level courses, they will be eligible to take another class. The CEP advisors will help students develop a schedule that will include classes that they are required to take based on their ACT scores as well as courses that will count toward the university’s core curriculum.
The compass exam is held on the very first day of orientation. Students can take the compass time only ONE TIME.

 

Is CEP a remedial program? Will my student be labeled?

CEP is a retention program that helps students stay in college. CEP has a high reputation on campus because of the services provided for students. Students will be identified by our office as CEP students during mid-semester grade checks and for special activities. CEP works closely with various departments on campus to connect students to resources and assistants in an efficient way.


Should I encourage my son or daughter to work while they are full-time students?

CEP encourages students to maintain a balanced life style. Students are asked to work no more than 20 hours a week. This allows students to focus on their academics without being overwhelmed. CEP stresses to students that academics need to be their priority. Current studies have found that students who take out loans and work only a small amount of hours to help pay for their school expenses are more likely to graduate than students who work full-time.

I am not sure if I want my student to get involved in extra-curricular activities during their first year of college.

Studies have proven that students feel more connected to a university setting by getting involved. CEP does want students to get involved so that they can begin to feel a part of the University. Also, college involvement is crucial when applying for scholarships or employment. Organizations look for well-balanced students who can perform a variety of activities while remaining in good academic standings. CEP however does not advise students to get overly involved. School needs to be the priority for all students, and CEP evaluates each student’s situation to ensure that they have a balanced life-style.


What about Confidentiality?

The University of New Mexico follows the students’ Privacy Act. This means that information cannot be released to parents unless the student signs a release of information. CEP works closely with parents since the family is considered an important factor in a student’s life. At orientation we will ask students to sign the parent release of information form. They are not required to do so and may choose not to sign. We ask parents not to force students to sign this release but rather develop a trusting relationship.

If we have a concern about our son or daughter, can we contact CEP?

Yes. If you suspect that your student is experiencing difficulties within any aspect of their life, please contact our office. We want to work as a team with parents to help students be successful at the university. Please do not hesitate to call our office for any concerns or questions you may have.

I am experiencing sadness because my child will be leaving home. Is this normal? What should I do?

Letting Go is one of the most difficult feelings parents experiences. Yes, this is very normal.
Please contact our office if you need further assistance. Here are some other resources that may help you through this process.

*Letting Go: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding the College Years, by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger (1997).

*When Your Kid Goes to College, a Parents’ Survival Guide, by Carol Baking (1999).

*Empty Nest…Full Heart: The Journey from Home to College, by Andrea Ban Steenhouse, Ph.D. (1998)

*In Addition to Tuition: the Parents’ Survival Guide to Freshman Year College, by Marian Edelman Borden, Mary Anne Burlinson, and Elsie R. Kearns (1995).

Last updated 07/24/06















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