By TAYLOR LEONARD
After releasing the application for the 2010 session, the Advanced Studies Program (ASP) eliminated three major courses due to the withdrawal of Master Teachers.
A few teachers could not take part in this year’s program either due to other job offerings or because of commitments associated with sabbaticals. The ASP administration was unable to replace teachers in a timely fashion, resulting in the termination of three courses: Introduction to Engineering; Psychology; and German & Germany.
Some students found that their first choice of course was canceled, but only after initially gaining acceptance into the program and being placed in that very class. Jacklyn Clement was originally slated to participate in the ASP as a student in Psychology; the class was ultimately scratched from the program because of the teacher’s inability to return to the school this summer.
“The fact that I received my first choice and then it was canceled made me question attending the ASP with my (second-choice) course, Marine Biology,” said Ms. Clement.
Another student, Eliot Johnson, received his second choice, Artificial Intelligence. “I would have much rather been placed in Engineering; it would have been a better fit for me,” said Mr. Johnson.
The process of enrollment at the ASP depends on qualifications; students who qualify are admitted and then the selection of major courses occurs.
“We do our best to give everyone one of the choices they list on their application,” said ASP Director Michael Ricard. He continued to say that they “try to give each student one of their top three choices.”
The program created a second section of Molecular Biology in order to accommodate the qualified students who needed to receive a course from their top three.
A variety of students who selected more than three major courses on their applications found themselves placed in a course that was not one of their “top” options.
“I got my eighth choice, which was Intro to Chinese but when I am put in uncomfortable situations, it helps me to become a better person. Hopefully Chinese will do the same” said student James Kiefner.
The ASP will explore the addition of new courses in the coming years, which will hopefully lessen the need for these types of changes and arrangements.
“Different classes offer outlets to have unique experiences,” said Hillary Paul, one of the Assistant Directors for the ASP.
Moving forward, the program will investigate offering such courses like Arabic Language and Culture and Business/Finance, which might take the place of the Psychology and German courses.
“It all depends on the interest of the applicant pool,” said Mr. Ricard.
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