Paul Bieniek
pbb001@marietta.edu
On April 7, Student Government Association held the first of two forums on proposed changes to the school curriculum. These changes are currently being deliberated on by the school’s curriculum committee, which has the final vote on whether or not they are instated.
According to Interim Provost Mark Miller, chair of the planning committee, the recommendations they put forward include eliminating the Asian studies program, the French minor, the European studies minor, and the music education major/minor. There are other departments under review for reduction or reorganization that no recommendations were put forward on at this time including: environmental science/studies, communications, media studies, sports management/athletic training, and theatre.
Miller emphasized that decisions on these matters are not based on personal preferences or vendettas but analysis of data and cost-effectiveness. He said that reductions are needed because “the curriculum needs to fit the size of the school.”
Miller pointed out that the current curriculum was established for a student body of 1400-1500 students, but due to enrollment and retention problems in recent years the student body currently stands at roughly 1250.
Both Miller and chair of the curriculum committee Dr. Dan Monek said that if the suggested cuts to programs are approved, declared students in those majors and minors would still be allowed to complete those programs.
Miller admitted that if the Asian studies program was eliminated, it may also lead to the phasing out of the Chinese language program. Questioned by an audience member if a further reduction in modern language offerings would adversely affect enrollment, Dr. Miller claimed he has had discussions with the VP of Enrollment and professors on this matter and that it will be a factor taken into account in any final decision.
Dr. Miller noted that cutting the Asian studies department would not eliminate the college’s relationship with the University of International Relations (UIR) in Beijing, China, as the college had a relationship with UIR before offering Asian studies. Removing the Chinese language program would entail a “different conversation,” he said.
Asian studies major Kayleigh Fisher was in the audience for the forum and expressed skepticism at the planning committee’s proposal to cut her major.
“I don’t see how the program could be completely eliminated,” she said. “It is interdisciplinary, so even if they eliminated the Asian studies label, students could still major in it since we can create our own majors here. History majors currently have to take non-Western history, so if those courses still exist all the courses for the (Asian Studies) major will still be there, unless they completely cut Chinese language.”
Fisher added that if the college offered a broader range of Asian languages, it would lead to greater enrollment in Asian studies.
Freshman Paige Berschet expressed concerned about some of the proposed curriculum changes.
“It worries me… I came here for a broad-based liberal education and now I feel like a part of that might die,” she said.
Attendance at the forum was poor with no more than twelve audience members, two of which were faculty members. Berschet expressed frustration at the lack of student interest.
“We hear a lot of complaints about students not being fully informed about happenings on campus, but then we hold events like these and the attendance is very low,” she said. “It is very disappointing.”
Outgoing SGA President Taylor Myers chimed in that “Your Yik Yaks can’t create change, but participation in events like this can.”
SGA held a second forum on this topic in Thomas 124 on Wednesday afternoon. There was no definitive timeline given for when the curriculum committee would put the proposed changes up for a final vote.
