The
eorgetonian G
February 5, 2014 Volume CXXXIV Issue 3
Faculty and students respond to change Faculty and students have mixed emotions about the changes coming to campus By ANDREA BELLEW Staff Writer Late last month, President Greene announced various changes that would be coming to campus. There have been multiple reactions among faculty and students about how the changes will be implemented within the next few years. They are pondering what these new possibilities mean for themselves, their colleagues and the college as a whole. Between students and faculty there is a lot of bewilderment, worry and hope going around. Senior Zac Bettersworth thinks it is “strange” that the computer science major may be cut because he thinks that it is one of the most marketable majors Georgetown offers. He knows the number of majors in programs the past couple of years have been considered, but thinks something else should be considered as well. He said, “If we’re putting out maybe two to three computer science majors per year, but they are going out and doing something like getting jobs and making money and being willing to donate to the college later on in life, then that might be better than say a couple of other majors that we’re putting out in a year or so.”
Hannah Prassel, junior, stated her mixed feelings about the changes to the music program. “Personally, being a music minor I am upset that they are taking steps to get rid of the music program, but at the same time, I understand that the president is trying to do what is best for the college. If we have to change some of the programs that have been here for a while, then I understand it has to be done for the betterment of the college. Also, as much as I don’t want to admit it, the music department doesn’t have a lot of incoming students, so it would make sense for the president to cut it down for the sake of the school. Or maybe instead of getting rid of the music department, we could cut the major back to a minor?” Genee Johns, senior, said, “As a music major, it’s hard to see him [Greene] thinking about potentially cutting our department.” She knows that the number of majors a program has and what appeals to potential students is being considered, but it is tough for her to see past the dependency she knows so many students and faculty have with that program. Meagan Henry, sophomore, had similar sentiments as Johns about the college being one of liberal arts: “It is
Source: Georgetowncollege.edu
Georgetown College is currently going through changes that are meant for the betterment of the institution. just sad that for a liberal arts college, the arts that make us that type of college are up for elimination. It’s upsetting to think about the future generations that could come here and what they could miss if those programs are cut.” Doctor Dawson, German professor, touched base on this herself: “I think students are fearful and worried about not being able to finish what they started and also losing the identity of [the institution]– I actually spoke with some of the students today about this and they voiced the opinion that they were scared it was no longer the institution they chose to come to….if this happens – if the programs are cut.” Madame Brill — French professor, had a few reactions, her first being “shock and surprise” because many programs
had already been reviewed. It was determined that program cuts wouldn’t happen and if the college needed to reduce faculty it would be through natural attrition, such as retirement or people leaving voluntarily for other jobs. Also, both Dawson and Brill were surprised because their numbers and interest in the two languages are rising. They also pointed out that foreign language departments are crucial for international business or banking, which would fit in well with additions President Greene wants because they provide global perspective and necessary cultural knowledge. Brill’s second reaction was sadness for her students because she thought they had had a really good year. “Students seem to be getting really
involved,” she said. Brill’s final reaction was concern for the college because she was worried families would pick other colleges if they would find out there is a chance that the faculty they may have met and programs they were specifically looking for may be gone. Jordan Smith, freshman, thought that “adding things, like criminal justice, will draw people in, but [that] we should not be decreasing the number of majors, but increasing it.” Alex Caudill, sophomore, summed up a view of why people are having difficulties accepting these proposed changes: “…a lot of people are going to get affected, and it’s a tough situation beings it’s such a small college and a nice community where everybody knows each other and we’re like a family. So if we lose 20 faculty, plus some staff, that affects a lot of people, but it’s something I understand the reason behind. It should have been done years ago, but it wasn’t done and it’s not good that it’s happening, but it has to happen.” Doctor Klopfer, Religion
CHANGE, pg. 2