The RUSS Project brought together three urban public universities-IUPUI, Portland State University, and Temple University-to collaborate on studying the experience of first-year students, to improve learning and retention among these students, and to design new assessment processes to gauge success. Each partner institution experimented with a learning community model, developed a self-study and participated in a site visit focused on that model, and ultimately refined its model, based on findings of the self-study and site visit and on successful practices at other participating institutions. Funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the three-year project provided an important opportunity at a crucial time to learn from institutions facing similar challenges to student learning and success. It strongly influenced the development and design of learning communities/first-year experiences at IUPUI.
