The College of New Jersey was founded in 1855 as a public college. Its award-winning First-Year Experience (FYE) Program and freshman orientation program, "Expectations," have helped propel the college's freshman-to-sophomore retention rate to 93%. The FYE Program, part of TCNJ's student-centered approach to teaching, integrates academics, individual development and social understanding. All freshmen live in residence halls, where they have informal access to upper-class mentors, faculty members and student tutors. "Expectations" also includes Welcome Week, which gives freshmen the opportunity to get to know the campus, settle into residence communities and meet their classmates prior to the start of classes. Students discuss summer readings and are exposed to the four themes they will explore throughout their years at the college: 'What does it mean to be human?' 'What does it mean to be moral, ethical and just?' 'What does it mean to be a member of a community?' and 'How do individuals and communities respond to differences in race, class, gender and ethnicity?' Small classes allow close interaction with an exceptional faculty. Many undergraduate students assist faculty members with research and present the results at conferences or coauthor papers. Students are expected to live by the college's mission of community, diversity, service and excellence and to actively participate in campus activities, organizations and events. Hopefully, they will leave the college a better place for having been there. Programs are offered through the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering and Nursing. Students further broaden the knowledge gained in the classroom through community service projects in the Mercer County area. The college's 289-acre, suburban campus is located in Ewing, near Princeton and Trenton, NJ and Bucks County, PA.