2008 Woodie Awards
Concentrations changed back to minors
Jamie Metrick
Issue date: 2/16/08 Section: News
"For me, there is a difference between a concentration and a minor," said Denise Fisher, a CCE student. "I've looked at other schools and they don't seem to require the same amount of work in their minors as the concentrations here. I think it could affect Guilford-ness"
The members of the Educational Policy Committee agreed by consensus last fall that changing concentrations back to minors would simplify things for everyone involved. The committee - which consists of five faculty members who are department heads, five non-head faculty members, one traditional student, and one CCE student - felt the decision would help future students and how the faculty works with them. However, there was much consideration and lengthy discussions as many committee members expressed concern.
"We like to think everything we do is better for the students," Whitnell said. "There were concerns; concentrations were very 'Guilford-y' and special."
The original proposal was to change disciplinary concentrations to minors and keep interdisciplinary concentrations the same. Many faculty members thought multiple names would create more confusion; student advising would become more complex and the difference between minors and concentrations would be even harder to explain to students.
"We were concerned that we were watering down the value of the concentration," Davis said.
Eventually, the faculty approved changing the names of all concentrations to minors. Whitnell added that students who are still concerned about the change and its effects can talk to their faculty advisors.
The members of the Educational Policy Committee agreed by consensus last fall that changing concentrations back to minors would simplify things for everyone involved. The committee - which consists of five faculty members who are department heads, five non-head faculty members, one traditional student, and one CCE student - felt the decision would help future students and how the faculty works with them. However, there was much consideration and lengthy discussions as many committee members expressed concern.
"We like to think everything we do is better for the students," Whitnell said. "There were concerns; concentrations were very 'Guilford-y' and special."
The original proposal was to change disciplinary concentrations to minors and keep interdisciplinary concentrations the same. Many faculty members thought multiple names would create more confusion; student advising would become more complex and the difference between minors and concentrations would be even harder to explain to students.
"We were concerned that we were watering down the value of the concentration," Davis said.
Eventually, the faculty approved changing the names of all concentrations to minors. Whitnell added that students who are still concerned about the change and its effects can talk to their faculty advisors.
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