Western Carolina University

• FAQs from Families
• FAQs from Participants
• FAQs from Volunteers

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FAQs from Families

What is the UP Program and who is eligible for admission?
The WCU University Participant (UP) Program is designed to provide a two-year, on-campus living and learning experience for college-age persons with intellectual disabilities. The program is limited to four new participants per year, with a maximum enrollment of eight participants.

Eligibility for admission includes the following:

• Is typically between the ages of 18 and 25
• Completed high school but did not receive a diploma or other documentation that would allow for typical WCU admission
• Demonstrates adequate communication skills
• Demonstrates socially acceptable behavior
• Is adequately motivated to learn and benefit from participation in the program
• Has an expressed interest in living and working as independently as possible in the community after UP Program completion
• Has strong family support

Is a high school diploma required?
If you have a standard high school diploma, we encourage you to apply to colleges in the traditional way since you meet the required admission guidelines for degree-seeking students. However, if you completed high school and received special education services that did not lead to a standard high school diploma (e.g., occupational course of study diploma or certificate of completion) then we would encourage you to apply to the UP Program.

What is the admission process?
UP participants must apply for admission by December 1 each year if they are seeking admission to the university in the fall semester. Application packets can be obtained through the prospective UP participants and families page of our website. Once all applications have been received, the UP Admissions Steering Committee (including the UP Program personnel, director of Undergraduate Admissions, Educational Outreach representative, director of Residential Living, and director of Disability Services) reviews application materials and determines who is accepted into the program based on application materials and information submitted.

How much does it cost to participate in the UP Program?
Cost will vary according the number of classes, type of meal plan and the residence hall chosen. The tuition and fees for WCU can be found at http://www.wcu.edu/11177.asp. Once you have been accepted in the program, UP personnel will talk to you about specific costs and provide materials beyond this resource so you can plan accordingly. Applicants applying from out of state also will be required to pay out-of-state tuition and fees.

How long do students participate in the UP Program?
Participation in the program lasts two academic years or four semesters.
 
What does a day in the UP Program look like?
Each participant receives a weekly schedule (PDF) that is tailored to his or her specific needs and interests. Classes, work times, activities of interest and UP Program events are included in each schedule. Participants may change their schedules by contacting UP Program personnel.
 
What will UP participants receive upon completion?
UP Participants will receive a UP Certificate of Accomplishment. This certificate is awarded after a two-year period based on satisfactory completion of 1,800 hours (450 per semester) of learning activities in the five program components. These components include:

• Personal development skills
• Community participation skills
• Vocational preparation skills
• Social participation and learning
• Course auditing

UP Participants must also achieve at least 80 percent of their Individualized Plan for College Participation objectives, complete semester-long, on-campus employment internships, and be recommended by the UP Program Steering Committee for the certificate.
 
How many students are offered admission each year?  
Four participants will be offered admission each fall. The UP Program will serve a maximum of eight participants per year.
 
Are there opportunities for employment in the program?
Yes. Each participant is required to work 10 hours a week at an on-campus internship. While on the job, participants will be supported by site supervisors, UP paid or unpaid volunteers and the UP Program career development coordinator. Upon completion of the program, participants are transitioned into the community, where the career development coordinator, in collaboration with employment agencies such as North Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation, will assist participants in securing community-based employment. Participants will continue to be monitored for up to one year in the community.
 
Are there opportunities for grants or scholarships?
Participants may be eligible to apply for need-based scholarships, grants and federal funds provided through the WCU Development Office or Federal Financial Aid Title IV funds. (TPSID funds cannot be used to provide scholarship support to participants.) Contact UP Program  Coordinator, for more information on grants and scholarships.
 
Is integrating the participants into the community a focus of the program?
Integration is a key to the success of our program. Participants are treated like any other WCU student. They participate in general courses, work typical jobs and socialize with friends. Allowing participants to live and learn in the same ways as their peers prepares them for transitions back into the community and provides them with academic, social and vocational skills needed for independent living.
 
What do participants do when they complete the program?
Upon completion of the program, participants are transitioned back into the community where they can apply knowledge and skills gained through the program to everyday living. With assistance from UP Program personnel and family, they decide where they want to live and work in their area of interest. Participants are monitored for one year to ensure a successful transition.

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FAQs from Participants

Can I have a friend or family member visit me in my room?
Yes. They may visit you at any time during day and in the evening until your bedtime.
 
Who is responsible for cleaning my room and hall?
You are responsible for cleaning your room. If you share a bathroom with a suitemate, you will share the responsibility of cleaning with them. While any public areas, such as hallways, kitchens and lobbies will be cleaned by university staff, it is always polite and respectful to do your part in helping keep the public areas clean.
 
What are quiet and courtesy hours?
During the normal school year they are 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. every day. During finals week, quiet hours are 24 hours a day. Notices will be placed around your residence hall to remind you of this rule.
 
What is a typical day in the UP Program?
Each participants schedule is unique to their class, work and leisure choices. You will receive a new schedule (PDF) each week that will help you stay organized and get where you need to be throughout the day. If you wish to change your schedule, you may do so by notifying the person in charge of your schedule and the volunteers.   
 
What if my suitemate and I do not get along?
If you have a continuing or serious problem with your suitemate, you may contact Kelly Kelley and request a meeting to discuss possible options.
 
Do I have to carry my room key and student ID with me at all times?
Yes. If you do not carry these items, you may not be able to purchase meals, participate in campus activities or get into your dorm room.
 
How do I receive and send mail?
You will get a Catamount student email address once you have been accepted to WCU. You can watch a video about logging into your email.

How will I meet new people?
The UP Program has more than 200 volunteers. You will get to know many of these volunteers throughout your two years in the program. You will also have the opportunity to meet new people by going to class, eating in the dining hall and by participating in events hosted by the university. The more you socialize rather than staying in your dorm room, the more people you will meet.
 
What should I do if I feel worried or scared?
If you are with a volunteer you should notify them first. They can help talk you through concerns you may have, or they can help you find a safe place to go if you are feeling scared. If you are alone, you may call the UP Program emergency cell phone at 828-550-1990 to contact UP personnel. Call University Police at 828-227-8911 only if you are in immediate danger.
 
What if I feel sick?
If you are feeling sick you should let your volunteer know and schedule an appointment at Student Health Services (828-227-7640).
 
Who should I contact if there is an emergency on campus?
You may contact campus police at 828-227-8911 for campus-related emergencies or the UP Program emergency cell phone at 828-550-1990 for urgent problems.
 
What happens if I miss class?
If you miss a class, you should contact your professor as soon as possible. You should be able to access contact information through your course content on Blackboard. You may also be able to find contact information on your printed course syllabus. When you contact the professor, make sure you tell the professor your name, the date and time of the class you missed, and why you missed the class. Many professors will work with you to find a way for you to make up missed work.  
 
Will I receive a grade for classes and internships?  
As a participant in the UP Program, you will be auditing all of your course work. This means that you will not receive a letter grade. Your progress is monitored through the professor’s rating of your class performance, participation and effort. You will have other requirements from class that will be decided at your person-centered planning meetings.
 
What happens if I get in trouble by breaking a university or program policy?  
If you do not follow academic policies provided by WCU, your professor can decide to give you a failing grade or request to have you removed from class and even the university. If you act out in a way that is not socially appropriate or could harm yourself or others, the UP Program Steering Committee can and will remove you from the program. You have to follow the same rules as all other WCU students.
 
Who will help me throughout the day?
You will have a volunteer, also known as paid or unpaid support, with you at all times when you first come into the program. They will help you get around campus; locate class, work and the dining hall; and stay on schedule, as well as assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Once you have been on campus and proven that you are ready to be more independent, you will be able to do things on your own throughout the day. You will still be able to contact UP personnel at any point throughout the day if you decide you need assistance. It is required that you can use a cell phone efficiently and keep it charged before you can go around campus on your own.
 
What if I cannot find my way around campus?
If you are lost on campus or cannot find where you need to be, call the UP Program emergency cell phone at 828-550-1990 or a trusted volunteer. Be ready to give details about your location so that the person you are talking to can come find you. If you are not able to contact UP personnel or a volunteer, you should call the University Police at 828-227-8911.   

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FAQs from Volunteers

Can my friends be around?
Yes! The participants love to meet new friends. Just be sure you are including the participants, not ignoring them, if you are with a group of friends.

Can I take participants off campus?
If you would like to take them off campus, you need to get it approved a day in advance by the UP Program coordinator. If participants are not their own guardians, it is common courtesy to also notify their parents/guardians of off-campus travel.
 
When will I get the schedule for each week?
The UP personnel will post weekly schedules by Thursday of each week in WhenToWork. This scheduling software will send you an email saying a schedule has been published if your email notifications are set up appropriately. It is important to review it and confirm hours with a quick click on the WhenToWork email link before Friday at 5 pm so the UP personnel can arrange coverage if you cannot volunteer and convert schedule details to participants' picture schedules.

How can I keep up with the program?
There is currently a Facebook group for volunteers and participants with updates and photos on the site. Program personnel send out reminder and update emails to every volunteer to keep everyone informed as well. The best way to stay up to date is our new Blackboard course, titled “WCU UP Program.” This course allows volunteers to easily access important documents, schedules, facts and dates related to the program. You can also stay connected through the WCU UP Program website.
 
What do I do if there is an emergency?
In the event of a medical emergency, call 911. Then call UP Program personnel at 828-550-1990 to get help. Once medical help is with you, notify participant parents or guardians.
 
What do I do if I would like to invite a participant to a campus event with me and I am not on the schedule?
Confirm with the participant and scheduled volunteer and then email or otherwise contact the UP Program coordinator with the change.
 
Can I be a suitemate and if so, how does that happen?
A suitemate is a WCU student who lives in a residence hall and supports the participants in their residence hall, typically sharing a bathroom. If you would like to be a suitemate you should indicate this on the volunteer form, and the UP Program coordinator will contact you when there is an opening. The suitemate provides nightly care as needed and some independent living support to participants. Suitemates are required to be in their residence hall rooms by 10 p.m. each night and remain there until 8 a.m. to provide support if needed during nighttime hours (e.g., fire and tornado drills). If you are not staying in the dorms overnight, you must notify the UP Program coordinator and find a substitute volunteer willing to cover for you overnight.
 
How do I know how and what to help participants with in their class or homework?
Each participant’s homework assignments will be posted in Blackboard through the WCU UP Program organization site. You can look on the site and see what the participant needs help with. Also, participants each have an agenda book for recording homework that they take to class. For additional homework or course related questions contact Seb Prohn.
 
How do I inform the UP personnel with updates on participants?
Each week with the volunteer schedule, you will need to report progress with data sheets included in the participant’s Individual Plan for College Participation goals and how to measure these. A survey, accessed through a Blackboard link, should be completed at the end of each shift and directed to the UP Program coordinator with any anecdotal notes included. Training and examples for how to do this will be available face–to-face and in Blackboard.
 
How should I report noncompliant or difficult behavior?
You can call the emergency cell phone number 828-550-1990 to reach UP Program personnel and discuss concerns or issues that arise. You can also email the UP Program Coordinator.
 
What are the best qualities in a volunteer?
Desirable volunteer qualities include professionalism, flexibility, dependability, and responsibility; showing you care and wanting to be involved; not being too protective and doing everything for participants but stepping back to let participants learn; having fun but remembering to be a good role model; talking through issues with participants in a calm manner; taking leadership roles and exhibiting good problem-solving skills; reporting information to UP Program personnel; and being a team player with all other volunteers.

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