OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS
The Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) is a comprehensive academic program created by the New York State Legislature to provide access to private colleges and universities to students who are educationally and economically disadvantaged.
Hobart and William Smith have created a mirror education access program to HEOP called the Hobart and William Smith Colleges Education Opportunity Grant Program (HWSEOP). HEOP constitutes for 75% of Opportunity Program students and HWSEOP for 25%.
Support Services
HEOP is regarded as one of the most successful programs of its type in the nation based on its achievements and graduation rate. Much of its success can be attributed to the supportive service component of the program. Support services offered to students include the following:
- Academic, personal, financial and career counseling: TheOpportunity Program staff assists its students by providing academic supportive services, counseling and financial aid to enable them to successfully complete their program of study at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. The staff also works closely with students to make them aware of other campus resources available such as the Counseling Center, faculty advisers, Financial Aid and the Center for Teaching and Learning.
- Tutorials: Tutoring and academic support is provided by both Opportunity Program staff and through the Colleges’ Center for Teaching and Learning.
- Full-need financial aid package: Financial aid is provided through a combination of grants, loans and work. First-year students also receive assistance in purchasing their books and supplies.
- Summer Academic Orientation Program (SAOP): If a student is accepted into Hobart and William Smith Colleges through the Opportunity Program office, then that student must attend a five-week intensive academic summer program, required for all first-time enrolling Opportunity Program students. This intensive program includes courses in English/writing, grammar lab, mathematics and reading/study skills. In addition, group and individual counseling sessions are scheduled to assist students in making the transition to a college environment. SAOP sets the foundation for making a successful transition into HWS through academic preparation in the basic skills necessary for success, and building identity and community as new college students. In addition to learning the procedures of HWS, students receive an orientation to familiarize themselves with the surrounding environment.
- Fall term meetings and beyond: Upon returning to campus for the fall term all first year students are required to meet with their assigned Opportunity Program adviser once every week. The meetings are designed for academic and social support. Graded and academic work in progress will be reviewed and discussed to ensure that the student is effectively utilizing the skill sets learned over the summer. These meetings are also a perfect time to discuss any issue that may need to be addressed. Meetings typically are scheduled for a half hour. If a student is clearly achieving a 3.0 GPA or better, then meetings will become less frequent. This situation would also be true for upper-class students as well. In the fall all first-year students are required to sign an academic contract outlining all of the program expectations for student participation in Opportunity Programs.
