Residential Academic Programs (RAP)

Main Office: 502 John Quincy Adams Tower
Phone: 545-2803
Fax: 577-1809

Office: 101 Thatcher House
Phone: 545-1659
Fax: 545-3414

Website: rap.acad.umass.edu

Director: Joseph J. Battista, Jr.
Associate Director: Thérèse Pasquale

Residential Academic Programs provide a small college environment on a large university campus. RAP works with academic departments and Housing Services to offer a variety of academic programs in the residence halls as a means of improving academic adjustment of first-year students and allowing upperclass students to pursue more specialized academic interests. All courses offered through Residential Academic Programs are regular departmental courses and most carry General Education credit.

Residential First-Year Programs

Students entering a large university usually face two major tasks in their first semester: they need to respond to the greater intellectual demands of the University and build satisfying and supportive peer relationships. Research has shown that students accomplish both of these tasks at the same time when they develop friendships through their academic work.

Residentially based first-year programs provide first-year students with an academically supportive environment in which they can attend classes and study with other students from their residence hall. The programs feature small classes or discussion sections taught in the residence halls for students who live near one another. Historically, participants in these programs report a high degree of satisfaction with their first-year experience, have an easier transition from high school to the University, make friends through their academic work, and study with their peers. The retention rate for these students is significantly higher than for those who do not participate in first-year programs.

RAP offers three types of First-Year Programs: General Education (open to students in any major or to students who have not chosen a major), General Education Focus (open to students with undeclared major status), and Talent Advancement Programs. In all three options, students live near each other and have the opportunity to work and study together.

General Education Programs

In order to participate in a General Education First-Year Program, students must register for at least two residential courses in their first semester at the University and one residential course during their second semester. First-year Focus students with undeclared major status enroll in an additional General Education large lecture and related seminar during their first semester. These courses include the required Writing course (“College Writing”), and offerings from other departments that fulfill General Education or language requirements: Anthropology, Art, Communication, Comparative Literature, Computer Science, Economics, English and American Literature, Mathematics, Music, Nutrition, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, Theater, and Women’s Studies.

General Education First-Year Programs are located in the Central, Orchard Hill, and Southwest Residential Areas. Students enroll in a General Education First-Year Program online, before the start of and during summer orientation. Course sections in these programs are filled on a first-come, first-served basis when students are on campus for summer orientation.

Talent Advancement Programs

Talent Advancement Programs (TAP) are designed for students majoring in the Biological Sciences, Communication, Computer Science, Engineering, English, Environmental Sciences, Management, Mathematics, Nursing, the Physical Sciences, Political Science, and Psychology. In their first semester, TAP students enroll for a course in their major as well as College Writing and a special one-credit faculty seminar which explores topics in the major, research interests, and career opportunities. Several TAP programs have upperclass mentors who live on the TAP floor and provide tutoring, advising, and guidance for program participants. Commonwealth (Honors) College students who join TAP enroll in honors versions of some TAP courses.

All TAP Programs are located in the Southwest Residential Area except the Engineering Program, which has two housing options, one in the Northeast Residential Area and one at Orchard Hill. During the spring prior to matriculation, incoming students are invited to participate on the basis of their high school record and SAT scores. Registration takes place during summer orientation.

The Butterfield Program in Central Area offers students in RAP’s General Education First-Year Program and the Pre-English Talent Advancement Program the opportunity to experiment with all kinds of writing. A variety of workshops, and poetry and fiction readings complete the program.

Thatcher Language House

The Thatcher Language Programs for Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish provide an opportunity for students interested in practicing a foreign language to live together in a residence hall. Students in the Language Programs agree to speak the language as often as possible. Each semester participants enroll in a required two-credit course with the option of adding a one-credit honors colloquium. The course is taught in the hall by the graduate student coordinator, and focuses on developing conversational skills and engaging in cultural activities. Some skill in the language and concurrent enrollment in an appropriate three-credit departmental language course are prerequisites for acceptance to the Thatcher Language House. For further information, contact Dr. Thérèse Pasquale at the RAP Office, 101 Thatcher House; tel. (413) 545-1659; email: therese@acad.umass.edu ; or visit the website: rap.acad.umass.edu to download an application.

Diversity Courses

The academic programs in the residence halls provide opportunities for students to become aware of and value human diversity. These opportunities include multiple sections of a General Education course, EDUC 210 Social Diversity in Education, taught by Education faculty and graduate students from the Social Justice Education Program of the School of Education. This course is available to residence hall students. It combines concepts and skills which help students develop an appreciation for social and cultural differences and enables them to interrupt the negative effects of discrimination and group stereotyping. Additional social issues courses are administered through Residential Academic Programs and offered in residence hall classrooms.

Further information can be obtained in the RAP Office in Southwest (502 John Quincy Adams), tel. (413) 545-2803.

Special Interest Residential Programs (SIRPS)

Residence Life/Housing Services offer several residentially based special interest programs. Created by students and staff to enrich the on-campus living experience through cultural, educational, and social activities, the special interest residential programs are an enjoyable and worthwhile way to meet people who share your interests and concerns.

Students in these programs enjoy the opportunity to define their floor environment, have lively discussions focused on topics of common interest, or arrange for events and activities. Students who live in halls with special interest programs also have the opportunity to participate with residents throughout the residence hall system in various all-hall and all-campus activities and programs.

Complete descriptions of SIRPS will be presented during summer orientation to facilitate application to the programs.

For more information, contact Residence Life, Berkshire House, (413) 545-0472.