The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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UC gets an update this fall

Students can expect to see changes in the University Curriculum (UC) when they return to the Hilltop in the fall.

According to Dedman College Senior Associate Dean and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Peter Moore, a number of recommendations from the UC Monitoring Committee (MC) have already been implemented.

“At the request of the MC, the University Curriculum Council (UCC) reversed its vote on about a dozen courses it had removed from the IIC (Institutions, Individuals, and Cultures) Pillar,” Moore said.

Because of this change, students will receive pillar credit for these courses in the fall.

In addition to the MC, the Provost created a Student Learning Outcome (SLO) Review Committee in mid-May to evaluate the goals of the UC and present their recommendations to the UCC this summer. Moore said he believes this will encourage faculty to propose courses to count toward requirements.

Recently, modifications were made to the assessment of SLOs in Proficiencies and Experiences in the classroom. Moore said he hopes this will transfer to experiential learning.

“Associate Provost Harold Stanley and I have begun conversations with Student Affairs’ staff to find ways for students to complete Proficiencies and Experiences outside the classroom,” Moore said.

Currently, the university offers 1,343 total classes that fulfill at least one aspect of the UC. In Fall 2014, 267 of these courses will be available for students, with almost half fulfilling multiple pillars and/or proficiencies.

However, there is still an issue for students in Cox School of Business and Lyle School of Engineering, where few classes provide credit outside of major or
minor requirements.

“The biggest concerns in my opinion would have to be some classes having more pillars and such than others,” sophomore Meredith Matt said. “A lot of the pre-health first-years are worried about graduating in four years.”

Matt worries that, despite the new changes, she still will not finish the UC in four years and will have to take summer and January term classes.

Issues have also arisen with students who wish to double or triple major.

“SMU markets to prospective students on the possibilities for students to accomplish such goals and this idea is often why students choose SMU over other competitive schools,” sophomore Alex Silhanek said. “However, I have heard many double major students express concern of how this can possibly be done with this new curriculum.”

Both Matt and Silhanek are members of the UC Concerns Committee within Student Senate. Both agree that the UC still needs some fine-tuning, but believe progress is being made in their areas of concern.

“The UC has somewhat improved,” Matt said. “Now there is retroactive credit so if a class gains a pillar after you have already taken it you’ll still get the credit.”

“The retroactive credit concept is a huge accomplishment,” Silhanek said.

And more work is still being done. Possible changes in the fall include credit for the Philosophy, Religious Inquiry and Ethics Pillars in computer science and electrical engineering classes that involve logic.

“Additional structural changes are being discussed as well, but it is too early to report on them,” Moore said.

Silhanek and Matt said they believe a structural change will reduce the stress of completing the UC.

“Narrow down some of the proficiency and/or pillar requirements, add more classes that meet UC requirements and the whole concept of the UC will be perfect,” Silhanek said.

According to a preliminary report on the UC, students are on track in completion of Pillar 1 requirements and Foundations. Remaining areas of concern are Pillar 2, Ways of Knowing and Proficiency requirements.

“This is where our efforts will be focused,” Moore said.

Any additional changes to the curriculum will be announced to students and faculty as they are approved.

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