First Year Forward

First Year Forward is a program coordinated by multiple people in CASA, the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services, and The Office of New Student Programs that identifies students (typically first-years or transfer students) who may be struggling academically, and attempts to help them connect to on-campus resources that will help them succeed. Some students are placed into the program their first semester, based on their application or other reasons why faculty might think they could use some extra help navigating Hampshire's academic system, and other students are placed into the program after completing fewer than three academic courses their first semester. Many students who receive a "No Eval" or "Incomplete" in a class their first semester are placed into the program when they are informed that they are on academic probation. The program seems to be an effort to help students who are at risk of failing or burning out of Hampshire, but sometimes the system targets students who do not fall into this area.

The program varies by semester, but can consist of meeting with other students and faculty/staff in groups or attending individual counseling sessions that aim to provide encouragement and accountability. There is typically a "retreat" in the beginning of the semester that is required for all students in First Year Forward.