| Bridge Engineering Diversity Program |
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| Bridge Engineering Diversity Program |
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The School of Engineering in coordination with the Engineering Diversity Program sponsors a six week intensive study of MATHEMATICS, CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, and COMPUTER PROGRAMMING. The purpose of the summer BRIDGE Program is to prepare underrepresented students for the engineering curriculum at UConn, present an orientation to careers in engineering and to familiarize students with the University of Connecticut and the college experience.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Students who have applied or are admitted into the School of Engineering at the University of Connecticut. Members of groups traditionally underrepresented among the nation's engineers namely, Women, African-Americans, Hispanics, Puerto-Ricans or Native Americans.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
FINANCIAL COSTS
The cost for tuition, meals, room & board, textbooks and transportation to all industry visits, tours, events and activities are free and fully covered. Students are responsible for health insurance coverage and meals if they choose to stay on campus for the weekends.
FRESHMEN ORIENTATION
ALL STUDENTS WHO DECIDED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUMMER BRIDGE PROGRAM MUST ATTEND A University of Connecticut FRESHMEN ORIENTATION SESSION. These sessions are held from late May to early July. During orientation new students have the chance to become familiar with the UCONN campus. Freshmen attend one two-day overnight session. Tours through University buildings, ID photos and placement tests for mathematics and English are given during this time. You will receive information regarding orientation from the Office of Orientation Services once you have paid your room deposit/acceptance fee. It is important to attend an orientation session so the results of the Calculus readiness test are completed, the results allow us to properly place you in a math level preparation course while participating in BRIDGE. Please notify the Engineering Diversity Office once you have received the confirmation of your orientation date.
CLASSROOM TIME
BRIDGE participants will attend approximately 50 hours of course work in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Programming. Based on the results of the Calculus readiness test, students will be placed in a mathematics course that will give them an overview of the college level math that will be taken in the Fall. Attendance is mandatory for all classes. Failure to attend class on a regular basis may lead to dismissal from the program.
GROUP STUDY SESSIONS
Students will be scheduled to attend mandatory group study sessions in the evenings. These sessions are designed to give students time to discuss homework problems and to practice potential test and exam questions. Students will strengthen group problem solving skills as they learn to work as part of a team.
INDUSTRY VISITS/TOURS
As participants in the BRIDGE program, students will travel off campus to a variety of engineering companies throughout the State of Connecticut. Students will explore the world of work by actually seeing engineers apply their academics to the real world. During the visits students will see peer mentors and role models in the field of engineering while exploring the variety of career opportunities within engineering. These are professional visits so students will be required to wear suits, ties or business attire.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Five to 10 students will receive additional funds through scholarship awards. The Pratt & Whitney scholarship is a $2000 renewable award for the academic year. This award is presented to students who have shown promise throughout high school and during efforts exhibited in the BRIDGE program. After receiving the scholarship the student will continue to receive funds as long as they continue to maintain the academic standards established by the School of Engineering and the University of Connecticut. Students by maintaining a G.P.A. of 3.0 or above. After completion of the first academic year, if the student obtained a GPA of 3.3 or above your scholarship will be increased to $3,000 per year. The Pratt & Whitney Scholarships will be awarded at the end of the BRIDGE program.
Students will receive eithera $800 stipend or a scholarship from the School of Engineering after participating in the program.
RESIDENTIAL LIFE/HOUSING
BRIDGE participants will be housed in an on-campus residence hall and will be assigned a roommate. (NO CHANGES WILL BE MADE, NO EXCEPTIONS.) Each resident will pay a $40.00 room key deposit which will be refunded upon receipt of returned assigned keys. STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED OVERNIGHT GUESTS during the six-week BRIDGE program. The University reserves the right for authorized representatives of the Division of Student Affairs and Services, Facilities Management and Fire Department to enter students' rooms to determine occupancy and to inspect the contents of students' rooms for health and safety reasons, and for maintenance repairs.
You and your roommate share joint responsibility at all times for the contents of, and behavior in your room. This applies to activities proscribed by the University and to all damages. Each floor will be assigned a Resident Assistant. Most of your daily contact will be with your Resident Assistant (RA). The RA is responsible for direct attention to the personal and environmental needs of residents. The RA is a personal resource close to you for advice and information on college life.
CONFERENCE SESSIONS
Each participant will meet with the Director at least three times during the course of the BRIDGE program to discuss academic performance and any other concerns. These sessions are scheduled during free time periods.
MEALS/SPENDING MONEY
All program participants will eat in an assigned dining hall Monday through Friday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dining hours are as follows:
Breakfast 7am - 9am
Lunch 11am - 1pm
Dinner 5pm - 7pm
Students will be responsible for purchasing weekend meals if they choose to stay on campus for the weekends. Additional spending money will be required for laundry, recreational and social activities.
BOOKS/SUPPLIES
The Engineering Diversity Program will provide textbooks free of charge. Students will need notebooks, loose leaf paper, pens, pencils and calculators.
MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE
All students are required to have some form of health insurance that provides coverage for accidents and/or illness. Students not covered by a personal or parental insurance policy are advised to purchase Supplemental Student Health Insurance until University insurance plan takes affect in September. Supplemental insurance is available by contacting the Bailey Agency at (203) 446-8255.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Once we have received the BRIDGE registration, parental consent and health forms, you will be mailed a confirmation letter and the following information:
BRIDGE ORIENTATION and CHECK IN DAY
RULES & REGULATIONS
CHECKLIST of ITEMS TO BRING