Sewall's Academic Mission:

The primary goal of the Sewall Academic Program is to promote critical thinking within the framework of a liberal arts curriculum that emphasizes the liberal arts. To meet this goal, Sewall students attend small, seminar-style classes in the residence hall. These classes are designed to foster analytical thought through reading, discussion, and written expression. Sewall classes require active and consistent student participation.

The Sewall Academic Program:

This is a co-educational liberal arts program primarily for first- year CU students with a special emphasis on studying the American West as a distinct region. In addition to its small classes, the program provides a variety of co-curricular activities to enhance students' understanding of key Western and national issues, including cultural diversity in the West, public lands management, immigration, and energy development. Limited to approximately 330 students, the program offers the atmosphere of a small liberal arts college within the broader framework of a large research university.

The Sewall Program Fee:

All Sewall residents must pay a program fee. The fee for the academic year is $765, and will appear on the fall semester tuition and fee bill. (This amount is subject to change.) The Sewall Program fee is in addition to regular tuition, fees, room and board. It contributes to the cost of in-residence advising, personal counseling, administration of the academic program and support for student government. The fee also covers academic enrichment through films, speaker series, and special programs. Refunds of the fee (in full or in part) will be granted only by the Program Director under extraordinary circumstances. Students who choose to leave the Program at mid-semester or mid-year are not entitled to a refund of the Sewall Program fee.



Sewall Course Requirements:

Please note that all Sewall residents are required to participate in the Sewall Residential Academic Program by taking one 3-credit course in Sewall Hall each semester.

Students in the Sewall Residential Academic Program must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences
U.S. Context core requirement in Sewall Hall. They are required to do this in the Fall or Spring semester by taking a U.S. Context course offered in Sewall Hall.

Students in the program are also required to enroll in
a non-U.S. Context course in Sewall in the alternate
semester. Most of these courses fulfill an additional
core requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences
and represent a variety of choices.

The Sewall Program's West Focus:

Sewall's innovative focus on the American West introduces the West as a distinct geographic and cultural region. The 3-credit The American West course is the centerpiece of our curriculum. This interdisciplinary, seminar-style course emphasizes experiential learning and critical thinking. It teaches students about the rich literature and complex history of the West in order to engage them in key issues westerners face today, including land use and public lands issues, water quality and distribution, energy development, immigration, and cultural conflict over resource allocation. The American West course satisfies the U.S. context core requirement.

In addition to our courses on the West, Sewall instructors encourage students to pursue an interest in Western issues through other campus units and programs. We facilitate student contact with the Western American Studies Certificate Program at CU's nationally recognized Center of the American West, with university and government research programs, and with junior/senior-year internships within the university and with city, state, and federal agencies.

Sewall Program Advantages:

• Enrollment in small classes that meet the general education requirements (core requirements) of the College of Arts & Sciences.
  
• A curriculum that emphasizes writing, discussion, and critical thinking skills.
  
• Faculty and staff to assist students with personal, social, and academic questions or concerns.
  
• A broad exposure to the cultural and intellectual life of the University through participation in extracurricular activities.
  
• An emphasis on active learning.
  
• An academically enriched environment that has led to higher academic achievement and increased retention.
  
• Higher levels of participation in resident student government activities.
  
• The development of a sense of community through close interaction with others in the program.
  

Student Comments on the Program:

"The Sewall program is great because of the small
classes and dedicated teachers; it is a great way
for students at Sewall Hall to get to know each other."
....Sewall Student

"The small Sewall classes are nice and the teachers
are memorable because you get to know them better."
....Sewall Student

"The Sewall Academic Program gave me an
opportunity to meet other students who live in Sewall
Hall. The small class sizes made it easier to get
involved."
....Sewall Student

"The Sewall Academic Program was a great opportunity
for me to make some great friends."
....Sewall Student

Enrolling in the Sewall Program:

Eligibility: The program is open to first- and second-year students in the College of Arts and Sciences who are residents of Sewall Hall. Although the theme of the Sewall Academic program is the American West and U.S. history, numerous courses are offered in many subjects which provide Sewall students with a broad liberal arts curriculum. To apply, interested students should indicate Sewall Hall as their first choice on their Housing application as early as possible. Students are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by date of receipt of the Housing request. Detailed information on the Sewall Program, as well as Sewall course descriptions, can be found on our website, http://www.colorado.edu/Sewall/index.htm .
Information on how to register for Fall Sewall courses will be mailed out in the spring.

Financial Aid: Students on financial aid who anticipate a need for financial assistance to participate in the Sewall program should contact the Office of Financial Aid, http://www.colorado.edu/finaid/ , to request a budget adjustment to include the Sewall program fee. Eligibility for aid will then be increased by the amount of the annual Sewall program fee. Scholarships that cover all or part of the program fee are sometimes available directly from the Program. Please contact the Program Office for details. Should
funds be available, an announcement will be made in
the fall.


Acceptance: Written acceptance is required to secure a place in Sewall. Such acceptance requires that, in addition to agreeing to follow the student guidelines for residence hall living, participants indicate their understanding and acceptance of the goals of the academic program. Entering the Sewall Academic Program, like entering the University, is a voluntary commitment to abide by the rules and policies of the program. We have designed the program to appeal to students who are interested in making a serious commitment to their academic development. It is expected that students will participate fully throughout the academic year.


For More Information: Questions concerning the academic program in Sewall Hall should be addressed in writing to the program coordinator at the address below, or by phone to the Academic Program Office at (303) 492-6004.

Program Coordinator: SRAP@colorado.edu
University of Colorado
353 UCB
Boulder , CO 80309-0353

Sewall Academic Program:
(303) 492-6004 (ph),
(303) 492-3270 (fax)