Course management for FIGs can be a complicated process. We are here to help!

The main characteristics of a FIG include: 

  • A FIG may group up to three classes, which all FIG students will be enrolled in. When submitting a course for consideration you will be asked which other courses might be a good pairing for your department's course(s). 
  • All of these groupings (or clusers) include a section of GEN ST 199: University Community that is taught by a current UW student. 
  • There are 20-25 students in each FIG.
  • Departments either designate a quiz section for FIG students or create a supplemental section that is for FIG students only. 
  • FYP may 'uncluster' a FIG based on how it is filling through the summer. If this happens to one of your courses, the FIG-only restrictions on the course will be removed and it will open up to all students.

Please email cluster@uw.edu if you have any questions about course management or would like to submit a course for consideration!

Phase 1 - Set up:

December

  • Meet with departments interested in piloting new FIG classes

January

  • Send out the survey to collect courses departments would like to include in FIGs - Departmental Courses in FIGs Collection Survey 
  • Time Schedule Construction turned off to departments—All AUT classes entered into Time Schedule

March

  • The Time Schedule Updater becomes available—All AUT classes are available for edits from departments
  • FYP works on pairing courses (clustering) and reaches out to confirm class offerings with departments
  • Depts and FYP add FIG notes and restrictions in the Time Schedule Updater to courses in FIGs 

April

  • Time Schedule is available on the web—All class times and backend settings are finalized
  • Ongoing Audits of FIG classes in Time Schedule 
  • FYP finishes first draft of course combinations

 May

  • Priority 1 Registration Opens
  • Meetings and training with Campus Partners i.e. OMA&D, UAA, Athletics
  • Pair FIG Leaders with FIGs & EPEs with EFIGs

June

  • Pair Gen St 199 times with FIG clusters
  • FIG Search Website is live
  • First day of AUT admit A&O

Phase 2 - Maintenance:

July

  • Extra Seats Website opens
  • Ongoing Audits of FIG classes in Time Schedule 
  • Create and send fill rate reports

August

  • Ongoing Audits of FIG classes in Time Schedule 
  • Create and send fill rate reports

Phase 3 - Low Enrolled:

August

  • Reach out to departments with low enrollment and determine next steps together

September 

  • FIG registration closes
  • First day of class 

Phase 4 - Assessment:

September - December

  • FIG leaders teach Gen ST 199 class
  • FIG leaders take Gen ST 270/470 class

October - December

  • Set up debrief meetings as needed

Incoming students will register for FIGs throughout the summer during their Advising and Orientation (A&O) session. A&O sessions run from the end of June through middle of September. Your course in a particular FIG may not fill until the end of the summer (middle of September). We will keep track of FIGs that are having trouble filling and work with you to manage and keep track of enrollment. 

First-year students will be able to see open FIGs using the FIG Search website. 

Students register through the Parent GEN ST 199: University Community course. Learn more about GEN ST 199 . 

Instructors and staff members can help promote a class by submitting it to be included on the FYP Courses for First Year Students page, a page that highlights courses specifically for first year students. If you would like your course listed on this page, please complete this form.

The Student Academic Services (SAS) Digital Engagment Team manages social media for FYP as well as the @newhuskies instagram page. If you would like to submit class information to be considered for social media promotion, submit a ticket for the team. More information on how submit a ticket and what to include can be found on the SAS Digital Engagment webpage.

If you are reserving a course for the FIG program, please include the following information when the course is added to the UW online course catalog. Be sure you are adding these to only the current FIG Quiz Sections and Supplemental sections. 

(1) Add AND drop codes: period 1 and 2

(2) Notes: FIRST-YEAR INTEREST GROUP STUDENTS ONLY. Questions? Visit fyp.washington.edu/extraseats