The Office for Academic Support and Institutional Services (OASIS) coordinates and directs support and enrichment services for all admitted minority students (African-American, Asian American, Hispanic American and Native American). This includes participants in the Upward Bound Program, the Student Enrichment Services Program and other regularly admitted students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This office works closely with the Office of Admission and counselors in high schools and community colleges to facilitate the admission of minority students.

Once students are admitted, OASIS continues to help their retention by providing academic counseling, tutoring, referrals and advocacy. OASIS works closely with the Academic Advising Center to provide training for and information about its special programs.

The Office of Academic Technology provides academic and technology resources and assistance to students. Testing services include the CLEP, CLAST, GRE and other standardized tests. The Reading and Writing Center and Teaching Center provide individual instruction and tutoring for students.

Center for Instructional and Research Computing, CIRCA, provides student computing labs and work areas, connectivity and utility software, instructions on the UF Software CD, training in computer skills and consulting support for students’ computer accounts.

Cycles of Success provides a yearlong program for the university’s National Achievement, Golden, Platinum Opportunity and Presidential scholars. The program helps to enhance academic excellence through programs planned to develop leadership skills for career development and academic success.

Student-led study groups meet weekly in small groups to encourage study habits. Monthly STEPS (Success to Every Presidential Scholars) meetings are scheduled with key people in the university family to address the needs of scholars. Students who need additional academic counseling can meet weekly with the program coordinator to plan and set goals for success. The Office of the Vice Provost administers the program.

The University of Florida is a member of the National Name Exchange Consortium. This consortium matches undergraduate minority students interested in graduate study to graduate schools, increasing the number of qualified minority students accepted into graduate school.

The UF International Center (UFIC) supports and enhances international education and training throughout the university and provides valuable support resources for all international students and faculty at UF. International Student Services provides orientation and immigration services to international students studing at UF, from their arrival at the university until they return to their home country.

The center also coordinates study abroad, which offers summer, semester and academic-year programs. Students can live and study abroad while fulfilling UF degree requirements. Exchange programs allow students to pay UF tuition for study overseas. Scholarships and financial aid can help to finance the international academic experience. Program assistants advise applicants, tailoring the program to their individual needs.

Ronald E. McNair Scholars Achievement Program encourages undergraduate students to pursue their educational studies through graduate education. This intense academic research program, one of the most prestigious in the country, is designed for first-generation and low-income college students, as well as students from groups underrepresented at the graduate level.

New scholars begin the program in the Summer B term with a six-week mandatory Summer Research Institute. The scholars are enrolled in a three-credit Scholarly Writing (ENC) course, along with three other specialized McNair workshops; the Research Process, Statistics for Academic Research and GRE Preparation. Scholars are required to partner with a faculty mentor and conduct research, as well as attend program workshops and activities.

McNair scholars receive a research stipend of $2,400, paid throughout the program year. Applications are available in mid October, and the deadline to submit an application is the last day in February.

The yearlong Minority Mentor Program is open to all first-year minority students. The program pairs each participant with a faculty mentor. Mentoring programs have a dramatic and positive effect on student retention, graduation rates and faculty-student relations. This program is administered by the Office of the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity Programs and is assisted by a council of faculty and staff.

The Reading and Writing Center, part of the Teaching Center, provides free individual instruction in reading and writing and also offers workshops on CLAST and GRE preparation. MCAT, LSAT, TOEFL and GMAT materials are available. The center is open 8:00 - - 5:00 Monday through Friday.

The reading program is designed to improve comprehension, vocabulary and study skills. The writing program helps students with the organization and development of papers and with grammar and mechanics. Students can also receive limited help in writing papers through individual conferences.

The Academic Teaching Center offers free tutoring in a variety of subject areas: accounting, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, economics, mathematics, physics, and statistics courses. Students may prepare for the mathematics portion of the GRE or CLAST by working individually with a tutor, attending workshops or using the center’s computer/print resources. Study skills/learning strategies help is provided individually and through workshops. Videos on time management, learning strategies, test taking, etc., are also available.

The University Writing Program offers writing-intensive courses, workshops and support to students and faculty. Courses are based on the premise that writing is a transferable skill necessary for success in all academic and professional fields. Courses taught by Writing Program faculty include ENC 1101, Introduction to College Writing, and ENC 1102, Introduction to Argument and Persuasion.