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Proposal for new graduation requirement rejected
International experience would add to expenses students are unable to afford, senators say
Nicole Strittmater
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: News
Monday night's Student Senate meeting faced almost three hours of intense discussion as members debated whether or not to support an international experience graduation requirement at UW-Eau Claire starting 2012.
With a final vote of 10-19-0, the resolution failed, but not before facing heavy resistance from some senators.
Presented as a way to extend the university's goal of having a complete liberal arts experience and increasing diversity with more international students enrolled, the requirement could be met in several different ways, according to the resolution. Students could have international internships or service learning projects, short term or semester study abroad and, after an amendment, international music tours.
For students not able to go abroad, such as some non-traditional students, an international-related research project could be done, according to the resolution.
Sen. Caroline Wee, a non-traditional student, opposed the resolution.
"In a time when we are losing students because they can't afford school, do we want to add more expenses to their education?" she said, adding this might turn students away from the school.
"I don't see how it is possible to force someone to do something like this."
To curb the additional costs, students would receive extra support, according to the resolution.
With the projected increase in study abroad participation, Eau Claire could join a Study Abroad Consortia, which would increase financial aid, according to the resolution. Also, every student participating would receive $1,000 worth of stipends from the Eau Claire Foundation.
After talk of whether it's right to add another graduation requirement and make students spend more money, author of the resolution, Adam Sorelle, said when it comes right down to it, the resolution would benefit the university.
"Our students are lacking a global literacy," Sorelle said. "This does not mandate study abroad. It's an international experience requirement."
Vice President Meghan Charlier, however, said she is strongly opposed.
"I support our university in its attempt to make us a more global community, but I don't see this as a way to do this," Charlier said. "When people look at this university, they're no longer going to say 'Hey, there's that great liberal arts college.' They're going to say 'Hey, there's that school with that international study abroad requirement.' Yes we want it to be a global learning community, but do we want it to be all that we are?"
With a final vote of 10-19-0, the resolution failed, but not before facing heavy resistance from some senators.
Presented as a way to extend the university's goal of having a complete liberal arts experience and increasing diversity with more international students enrolled, the requirement could be met in several different ways, according to the resolution. Students could have international internships or service learning projects, short term or semester study abroad and, after an amendment, international music tours.
For students not able to go abroad, such as some non-traditional students, an international-related research project could be done, according to the resolution.
Sen. Caroline Wee, a non-traditional student, opposed the resolution.
"In a time when we are losing students because they can't afford school, do we want to add more expenses to their education?" she said, adding this might turn students away from the school.
"I don't see how it is possible to force someone to do something like this."
To curb the additional costs, students would receive extra support, according to the resolution.
With the projected increase in study abroad participation, Eau Claire could join a Study Abroad Consortia, which would increase financial aid, according to the resolution. Also, every student participating would receive $1,000 worth of stipends from the Eau Claire Foundation.
After talk of whether it's right to add another graduation requirement and make students spend more money, author of the resolution, Adam Sorelle, said when it comes right down to it, the resolution would benefit the university.
"Our students are lacking a global literacy," Sorelle said. "This does not mandate study abroad. It's an international experience requirement."
Vice President Meghan Charlier, however, said she is strongly opposed.
"I support our university in its attempt to make us a more global community, but I don't see this as a way to do this," Charlier said. "When people look at this university, they're no longer going to say 'Hey, there's that great liberal arts college.' They're going to say 'Hey, there's that school with that international study abroad requirement.' Yes we want it to be a global learning community, but do we want it to be all that we are?"
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Fasting
posted 2/22/08 @ 7:05 PM CST
That requirement is awful. I am glad it did not go through. Even if it were comletely free, it would be unfair. If the student were to get killed abroad, his family would sue the school for a lot of money. (Continued…)
Resolutions
posted 2/25/08 @ 10:06 AM CST
Just because Senate voted to oppose the "study abroad" requirement doesn't mean it can't go through. University administrators are the only ones who can make those kinds of (policy) decisions. (Continued…)
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