The Sycamore Issue 5

Editorial Board at Naropa University October 1, 2010 The Sycamore Vol. II No. 3 www.thesycamore.org The proposed reor ganization of the Division of Aca- demic Affairs outlines an intelligent plan to upgrade the structure of academics at Naropa. The major tenants of the proposal are broad, beginning w ith the plan to consolidate (administratively) the University’s 21 academic programs into 5 departments, and including a transi- tion to a four-credit standard for cours- es. In spite of the scope and complex- ity of this project, each component is part of a serious, concerted effort to streamline the academic experience at Naropa for students and the faculty. Following the imple- mentation of this proposal, students should expect a more cohesive academic structure, and the faculty should receive more ad- equate nancial compensation. Nevertheless, the Editorial Board has identied two sec- tions of the proposal – which in our opin- ion are the most rele- vant to students – where there is s pace for enhancement. Faculty J ob Descriptions: Part of the proposed reorga- nization of Academic Affair s involves broadening the role of the faculty to include responsibilities beyond instruction. Eventually , academic advising, mentor- ing, and student recruitment could be part of the job for all full-time f aculty . If this change we re enacted, it would bring Naropa in line with the majority of pri- vate (and most public) universities across the country by codifying what many instructors here do anyway, which is go above and beyond the job description. Only, under this scenario, their efforts would be for- mally recognized by way of increased compensation. Our position is that this is a welcomed change . Fac- ulty are the heart of Naropa, therefore it make s sense for students to be able to select a faculty adviser who can guide them through their academic journey, as they would be able to do at most other schools. The Interdisciplinary Studies program – which uses an in- tegrated model of advising, in which the faculty work with students to design their own academic journey – could serve as a template for the University at large. Howev er, advising by way of faculty as well as an of- cial advising of ce gives way to redundancy. Dual advising options would seem both scally unnecessary for the University as well as confusing for students. Faculty advisors that are both familiar with the Univer- sity’s academic as well as administrative policies could foster the continuity in journey that Naropa is striving to create. Putting logistical d etails aside for a moment, convergence here could be an added opportunity to reallocate funds for further investment in the faculty. Four Credit Co urses: Another a spect of the restructuring – which was originally proposed by the Faculty Executive Working Group (FEWG) – involves moving Naropa from a three-credit to a four-credit per course model. The Provost has noted that this change would not be “atypical” in the eld of higher education. Neces- sarily , instruction time and the workload would increase in every course to account for the credit value increase. Our thoughts on this are the following: If the four- credit model is embraced than it would make sense for the University to then adjust the requirements for a timely graduation from a minimum of ve classes per- semester to four. Additionally, Naro- pa’s block schedul- ing should also be modied once the four-credit model is embraced. The current three-hour long, once a week class that dominates the University’s schedule contradicts any notion of con- templative education. This is because meeting once a week for an extended pe- riod of time simulta- neously causes intel- lectual fatigue (due to the duration) and disengagement (due to the infrequency). Thus, we contend that after any academic restructuring, the prevalence of the three-hour long class should be signicantly reduced, if not eliminated. It should be noted that both of the proposed chang- es explored above are, indeed, components of an un- nalized proposal. Constituencies throughout the University are still being consulted for their opinions. Thus, it is in that vein that this Editorial Board has expressed its analysis; students and community mem- bers alike should do the same at the upcoming town hall meetings before the proposal becomes a reality. Editorial Board: Mohammad Usman, Editor-in-Chief, Richard Bordoni, Staff Writer and Design Editor , Lora Fike, Opinions Edi- tor, Emma Co urtney, Staff Writer, and Rebecca Koval, Staff Writer. Restructuring Academic Affairs Art by Eamon Karlstad Interested in joining The Sycamore’ s all student staff? Want to ask questions or share your feedback? If so, email us at: [email protected] . We would love to hear from you.

The Sycamore Issue 5

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