University should keep students in mind when making improvements
Quality of education should not be sacrificed to meet deadline
Monica Baltich
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Editorial/Opinion
For incoming freshmen, 25 to 30 percent come in undeclared. Part of me wonders if the school expects them to declare a major within their first semester on campus and if so, is that fair?
Many students come here for the countless options available to them and I'm worried this initiative might limit exploration, which would go against the philosophy of a liberal arts education.
The other reason for students taking up to five years is simply the program they are in requires it.
Our education program is notorious for delaying the four-year graduation. But that by no means comes as a surprise to an education major, even before they get here. It's not usually that the classes aren't available, its just there are so many required that an extra semester or two is necessary. While Eau Claire's school of education is difficult to get into, it is also renowned for its excellence, so to change the curriculum could possibly risk its quality.
This fast track to graduation may be the least important thing to focus on. If a student is intent on graduating in four years, they can make it happen in most cases. I'm a junior and I was able to study abroad and I'm still able to graduate in four years because I planned far in advance. The advisors we have are there for you to use, and maybe the issue is they are not being used enough.
I came to Eau Claire because I knew they had a high standard for excellence and my hope is this program will only strengthen this standard instead of making it weaker.
Years from now, when I talk about my college career, I'm not going to brag about getting out in four years or be ashamed of going four and a half. I will brag about the quality of the education I received and I hope we don't lose track of that.
Many students come here for the countless options available to them and I'm worried this initiative might limit exploration, which would go against the philosophy of a liberal arts education.
The other reason for students taking up to five years is simply the program they are in requires it.
Our education program is notorious for delaying the four-year graduation. But that by no means comes as a surprise to an education major, even before they get here. It's not usually that the classes aren't available, its just there are so many required that an extra semester or two is necessary. While Eau Claire's school of education is difficult to get into, it is also renowned for its excellence, so to change the curriculum could possibly risk its quality.
This fast track to graduation may be the least important thing to focus on. If a student is intent on graduating in four years, they can make it happen in most cases. I'm a junior and I was able to study abroad and I'm still able to graduate in four years because I planned far in advance. The advisors we have are there for you to use, and maybe the issue is they are not being used enough.
I came to Eau Claire because I knew they had a high standard for excellence and my hope is this program will only strengthen this standard instead of making it weaker.
Years from now, when I talk about my college career, I'm not going to brag about getting out in four years or be ashamed of going four and a half. I will brag about the quality of the education I received and I hope we don't lose track of that.
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