Dean of Faculty Christina Sorum
has appointed a committee that will “harness the energy” of last fall's discussion
about academic calendar and recommend changes the “further improve the academic
program at Union College.”
The debate led to a “reaffirmation
by both [students] and faculty of our trimester system,” Sorum wrote in a
letter to students last week. “It also gave rise to much discussion about areas
in which we could improve the current system and reinforce Union's
fundamental mission, which is to provide … a four-year integrated
living-learning experience.”
The committee is to be chaired by
John Spinelli of computer science and electrical engineering. Other members are
George Butterstein, biology; Michelle Chilcoat, modern languages; Zoe Oxley,
political science; and Bill Zwicker, mathematics. Sorum and Steve Leavitt,
acting dean of students, will serve ex
officio.
The committee will consider “everything
from stabilizing and enhancing a four-year program of study to the nature of a
trimester course to a late start,” Sorum said.
“As a member of the AAC, I was thrust in the
middle of the calendar debate and one of the things that struck me was the
large number of creative ideas that came forward relating to trimesters,” said
Spinelli. “Now that we've decided to maintain our trimester system, it seems
this is the best time to consider a variety of changes, some modest and some
bold, that will allow our students to get the most intellectual benefit from
their time at Union.”
Here is the charge to the
committee:
“Following a lengthy and thorough
discussion of academic calendar, both the faculty and the students have
affirmed their desire to have a trimester system. Many different
positions were discussed and participants learned from each other. We seek to
harness that energy and experience to further improve the academic program at Union
College.
“Even the most ardent supporters
of trimesters recognize that there is room for positive change. During the
calendar discussion some problems were brought to the fore and various
suggestions were made for improvement. In light of our discussions this seems
the appropriate time to address changes that can be implemented within the
context of a trimester system.
“The charge to this committee is
to take advantage of the substance of the calendar discussions – observations
and suggestions – to study the trimester, to propose possible solutions, and
refer these suggestions to the appropriate groups for implementation.”
Sorum also announced a new policy
allowing students to take a fourth course. During the calendar discussion last
fall, a number of non-Union Scholar students said they would like to take a fourth
course without a fee to “further enrich their Union experience.” Starting this
fall, students with a GPA of at least 3.3 may take one extra course each year,
graduating with as many as 40 credits. While courses will be noted on
transcripts and grades counted in GPA, those courses will not count toward
graduation. The policy will also apply to students on term abroad.