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Commission on Academic Priorities releases report, calls for coherence, history, and curricular balanceby Buzzy NielsenOn Tuesday, March 19, President Mooney's Commission on Academic Priorities (CAP) released its long-awaited report. Appointed in Spring 2000, the Commission was charged with "examining the various disciplines we pursue and fields of knowledge we teach, determining their relative strengths and weaknesses, pointing up their gaps or redundancies, and proposing a plan for their development over the next fifteen years that will ensure their uniform excellence and maximum coherence." With this in mind, the Commission - composed of endowed chairs, deans, and professors from across the curriculum - examined the programs in the College of Arts & Sciences and recommended changes to increase overall coherence and rigor in LC's academic program. They analyzed the College with the help of reports and surveys compiled and taken by students, faculty, and administration. Although no students sat on CAP, student input was heard primarily through a report to CAP given by SAAB. CAP's recommendations in this draft report were divided into several sections: general, divisional, off-campus programs, and curricular initiatives. Among CAP's general recommendations were a reconsideration of areas of geographic focus in LC's curriculum. Particularly, CAP recommended that primary emphasis be placed on Europe (primarily Western and secondarily Central), the United States, and Asia (primarily China and secondarily Japan). The Middle East was also proposed as an area of secondary emphasis. This general focus meshed with other issues to produce more concrete recommendations as well. Specifically, CAP recommended that off-campus programs in these regions be bolstered, suggesting the Munich program as a model. Given its lack of focus in curriculum and interest, the Russian program was recommended to be phased out. However, CAP saw the possible addition of Italian as a complement of off-campus programs and curricular offerings. Citing curricular incoherence and a lack of a strong support base, CAP suggested that the Latin American Studies minor be phased out as well. This would not mean, however, a reduction in the number of faculty in this area. The Commission also called for English and History to provide more offerings in American history and literature. CAP's second general recommendation called for more of a historical base in many academic disciplines. The Commission saw a lack of historical perspective in many departments and programs and an overemphasis on modern history/events. SOAN specifically was cited as a department that would benefit more from historical context, especially in the fields of history of ethnography and archaeology. The Commission also called for the creation of a minor in Classical Studies. Such programs are common among liberal arts institutions and, despite the lack of strong Latin or Greek offerings, the Commission felt that the offerings at LC were sufficient to offer such a program. The third and final general recommendation offered by CAP was for a curricular balance between theory/history of a discipline and its practice. This balance would provide students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to be successful in their fields. The Art department was seen as particularly needing this balance. The department is currently skewed toward studio art - composed of 2 art historians and 6 studio artists. The Commission recommended balancing history with studio art in the department, including the increase of tenure-track positions in Art History and phasing out the current position in Graphic Design. CAP pinpointed several departments as particularly taxed for resources. In light of this, CAP recommended new tenure-track positions in International Affairs, Political Science, Biology, and Mathematics. The Commission also recommended possible areas of joint appointments between departments including Jewish Studies, Latin, Italian, Greek, and Archaeology. Citing lack of faculty expertise, resources, and curricular coherence, the Commission also recommended phasing out the Political Economy minor. An entire section of the report was devoted to LC's off-campus programs. CAP specifically recommended ensuring strong support for programs in the focus geographic areas mentioned above. The Commission also requested more rigorous selection and training of faculty program leaders as well as examination into how new programs are approved. In addition, the Commission recommended that the programs relate more strongly to on-campus curriculum and that students should reflect on how their program contributes to their academic curriculum, including reintegration into the campus community upon return. The Commission also recommended that students be discouraged from participating in more than one program or in participating during the first semester of their sophomore year. The Commission also saw curriculum-wide problems that needed to be addressed. Among these were how well students are trained in quantitative reasoning and rhetorical skills. The Commission recommended that the College more coherently and rigorously train students in these areas. Citing coherence in the curriculum and the inherent value of fostering common experience, the Commission also recommended that each major and program have or develop a senior capstone experience as a requirement for the graduation. Noting the inherent benefit of interdisciplinary study, the Commission suggested team-teaching be encouraged as well. This allows faculty to complement each other's strengths and for students to connect disciplines and their methods. Finally, CAP saw a danger in the inconsistency in grading among departments. Specifically, some departments and programs - including off-campus programs- had higher than average grades, and the CAP desires to see more consistency among grading standards. It should be stressed that this report is a draft and is therefore under review. The Commission is currently soliciting faculty opinions on the report via two faculty forums. Student input is also being solicited via SAAB, which will be conducting a review of this report. If you are interested in seeing parts of this report or in contributing your views on any of these issues, email SAAB at saab@lclark.edu. Students express concerns about CAP reportby James ChristieStudents filled Miller 207 to criticize and discuss the CAP (Commission on Academic Priorities) report in two meetings held by the Student Academic Affairs Board last Thursday and this Tuesday night. The CAP report, which is currently in rough form, is to be submitted to President Mooney as a plan for the academic development of Lewis & Clark over the next 15 years. The Commission is mainly composed of the deans, endowed professors, and senior faculty members and has written the report over the last year and a half Areas of student critique included the report's geographical focus on the first world, its recommendation to phase out the Russian and Latin American studies minor for the possible benefit of a Classic studies minor, the lack of student representation on CAP, students being essentially left in the dark concerning the report and the suggested restructuring of the Art department. The meetings, due to time constraints, did not discuss the report's sections concerning social sciences, mathematical and natural sciences, off-campus programs, and curricular initiatives. SAAB Vice President Buzzy Nielsen, who ran the meetings, stressed that the CAP report is a rough draft and is still open for revision. Nielsen also pointed out that in the past, student opinion has strongly influenced proposed changes to the curriculum "Members of CAP are very interested in what students have to say about the report," said Nielsen. Students at the meetings mostly expressed dissatisfaction over the report's geographical focus. Many found it to run counter to LC's present international focus, which is a reason why many students attend the college. Plus that focusing on a certain geographical area would contradict the liberal arts ideal of intellectual exploration. The focus also seems to ignore the third world, in which many students at LC tend to be interested. Students attending the meetings also do not want to see the Latin American Studies and Russian minor phased out. They cited that Russia is the largest country connecting two of the areas of the report's geographical focus, Europe and China and how it would be difficult to study either without a focus on Russia. A similar critique was made concerning the United States and Latin America respectively. Those attending the meetings did agree with the report on its recommendation for foreign language students to study at least a year overseas as the German studies program currently does. Students also expressed that Classic studies are important although the proposed minor shouldn't come about at the expense of the Latin American Studies and Russian minor. Art majors attending the meeting disagreed with the report's recommendation to balance the number of professors teaching studio art and art history since the later only has 2-3 graduates per year. Students interested in learning more about the report should visit the SAAB website at http://www.lclark.edu/~aslc/saab/forms.html. SAAB will hold another meeting concerning the sections of the CAP report not yet discussed next Tuesday 5 pm in Miller 105. All members of the LC community are welcome to attend. Christopher Ross will speak at commencement this Springby Sierra JenkinsThe commencement speaker for graduation, Spring 2002, will be Ambassador Christopher Ross, former ambassador to Damascus, currently Special Coordinator for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the Department of State. Ross was chosen because it is felt that he will represent LC's concern with international issues, both historical and contemporary. Ross is also the father of Anthony ('93), who recently returned from Russia and is now in San Francisco. Ambassador Ross was drafted by the State Department after 9/11 to convey U.S. positions on terrorism, Islam, and the Middle East to the people of that region. He is fluent in Arabic and widely known and respected throughout the region. In communicating and clarifying U.S. intentions, he has emphasized that the war on terrorism is not a war on Islam, Afghanistan or the people of Afghanistan. He has drawn attention to the ways in which the U.S. government has supported the Muslim faith in the past and the importance of religious freedom in this country. Since last September Ross has made some 2000 media appearances, mostly on al-Jazeera television. Ross has been invaluable to the Bush administration in communicating the U.S. position to the people of the Middle East.
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Crime Beatby Julie Layton Couch
March 27th
Unknown person(s) pushed a dumpster over the ravine near the outdoor pool.
Graffiti was reported in Copeland Hall in one of the restrooms in the "E" wing.
March 28th
A painting which had been reported stolen on March 18 was found leaning up against the front door of the Manor House.
A Pizza delivery person reported that four pizza's and two pizza warmer jackets were stolen from his vehicle.
March 29th
An intoxicated non-student was found in front of Akin Hall laying on the ground next to a bicycle. The individual was asked to leave campus.
March 30th
Officers discovered a golf cart that had been stolen from facilities laying on its side at the Rose Garden. Extensive damage was done to the cart and brick steps. Incident is under investagation.
Officers responded to a complaint of a fire hose that had been taken out of the fire hose housing and stretched down the hall. The water to the hose had been turned on and was leaking water on the floor.
April 4th
Unknown person(s) opened the Fire Hoses causing damage to the carpet and other items in Copeland Hall.
A pipe was confiscated from two students who were observed smoking marijuana at South Campus. A report was forwarded to Residence Life.
Officers responded to a medical call in front of Templeton Student Center. The student was transported to St Vincent Hospital for further medical attention. Candle light vigil will support Falun Gongby Joe Clock
On Monday, April 15, at 8:00pm there will be a candle light vigil held in front of Aubrey Watzek Library to support people who the Chinese government are persecuting for their practice of the religion. At the vigil people will be able to hear personal stories from practitioners of the religion, learn about Falun Gong. and find out about further action and opportunities for involvement on campus to raise awareness. The religion has 70 million followers in China. However, the government fears that the religion exercises too much control over people's lives, and could be a force for dissention. The Chinese government has tried to wipe out the practice of Falun Gong, detaining and using violence against its followers. Michael Moore brings humor to LCby David ArcherMichael Moore, the irreverent political satirist and champion of liberal causes, is coming to Lewis & Clark College on Friday, April 19 to tout his new best selling book "Stupid White MenÖ and Other Sorry Excuses For the State of the Nation!" Moore is known for his sharp wit and his willingness to speak out against and even joke about politically incorrect issues. In the book Moore critiques the 2000 presidential election, pokes fun at racism in America, shares his ideas about Sharon and Arafat, chastises the American South and lambastes corporate America. As for Republicans, he calls for nothing less than the ousting of President George W. Bush. BBCi calls the book a "really great, hilarious, rollicking, fantastic read. ... Absolutely amazing satirical wit, great journalism, great research." If Moore is nearly as funny in person as he is on paper it will be worth your time to go, get your tickets before they are sold out. Tickets are available at the bookstore; they are free for students and five dollars for the general public. The ALSC sponsored event begins at 7:30pm, doors open at 6:00pm. There will be a book signing and reception after the talk. Moore also wrote the books "Adventure in a TV Nation" and "Downsize This! Random Threats From an Unarmed American," additionally he directed "Roger & Me" a documentary about Moore's persistent attempt to interview General Motors Chairman Roger Smith after the company shut down a small-town factory. Food forum provides explanationsby Joe ClockOn Wednesday, April 3, students gathered in Thayer 3 to ask questions and share their opinions about the Bon Apetit food service to LC administration and Bon Apetit management. Bon Apetit General Manager Louis Bones, Executive Chef Ed Clark, and regional representatives Mark Swenson and Sam Curry as well as Dean of Students Jon Eldridge responded to student questions at the forum. ASLC planned the forum in order to establish a dialogue between students, Bon Apetit, and the administration regarding the food service. Throughout the meeting Bones and Eldridge expressed their willingness to consider changes to the food service based on student suggestions. ASLC felt the need for a dialogue because of rumors that food quality had decreased and that Bon Apetit was in debt, one of the issues covered at the forum. Bones and Eldridge responded to the debt rumor, explaining that the Bon Apetit had less money this semester because fewer students are participating in the board program because of students overseas and taking leaves of absence. Fewer students eating at the Bon means that overhead costs must be divided among a smaller number of people, increasing the portion of meal costs that go to overhead. The Bon Apetit representatives at the forum, however, insisted that food quality had not declined. Other concerns that students expressed at the forum included the fact that meals are not transferable from week to week or student to student. Swenson explained that this was the case in order to keep costs to the students down. With meals not transferable, Bon Apetit assumes that students will not eat all of the meals they buy in a week and plans its costs accordingly. If meals were transferable Bon Apetit would have to plan for students to use all of the meals they buy, which would increase their costs and the price students pay. Eldridge also addressed the future of food service at LC, and his hopes that use of the convenience store and coffee shop that will be a part of the new dorms will increase the volume of business that Bon Apetit does and help to bring down prices there and in the trail room. Eldridge also told students about plans for a cafeteria in the renovated Albany building, and perhaps eventually cafeteria style dining, under which students would pay only for the food they ate, in a dining hall in the new student center. Bones stressed his willingness to consider specific student concerns about food, telling students to e-mail him at bones@lclark.edu or bon@lclark.edu with their suggestions. Some of the suggestions students made at the forum have already been incorporated into the food service. Examples are that uncut fruit is now available at breakfast and lunch is open until 1:15 some days. |
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