By Stacey Axler
The Hood Student Government Association (SGA) recently reviewed the proposed changes to the core curriculum.
In the Friday, Nov. 11, faculty meeting, the first-year seminar was passed by the Faculty Senate, with 36 approved votes, 34 opposed, and eight abstained.
“The Exec Board does not agree with [the first-year seminar] decision, and our stance was read at the faculty meeting after this was approved. The HCSGA Executive Board will come together and look at the new proposed core curriculum to decide whether we agree with the curriculum as a whole during our upcoming meetings,” said SGA President Doug Raftery in an email.
SGA reviewed the core curriculum over the past month and has met with the core committee to discuss the proposed changes.
Specifically, the SGA executive board supports the concept of a first-year seminar to improve literacy skills but wants the core committee to examine the practical idea of such a seminar first.
A main cause of concern for the core curriculum changes stems from the proposed section cuts and increase in class sizes that would result from the addition of first-year seminars.
An excerpt from the SGA core stance, “It was explained to us that . . . two classes may be combined to open up space for a possible first-year seminar. This hinders students from scheduling classes on a flexible basis.”
The HCSGA also feels concern over the retention of upperclassmen students due to the increased emphasis on first-year seminars.
Some propositions made in the new core curriculum were completely supported by SGA, such as the change of the gym requirement to pass/fail.
Overall, SGA hopes the core committee considers the possible issues raised over the core curriculum.
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