By Justin Muszynski
Governor Dannel Malloy has emphasized the need for students in the Connecticut State University System to be able to graduate in a timely manner. A recent survey conducted at CCSU showed that the majority of professors believe that general education should be redesigned.
But how exactly do the students at CCSU feel about this?
Freshman Nathaniel Rice, 19, says the system should work more towards fulfilling students’ general education and major needs at the same time.
“Gen. ed should be more based towards your major,” said Rice. “If you’re a mechanical engineer, why do you need to take gym?”
However, Scott Randall, a 22 year-old senior, said he has had no problems with the general education system.
“I finished the requirements in two years like it’s intended,” said Randall. “They offer a bunch of different courses so it works.”
The current system requires a minimum of 44 to 46 credits and also at least three years of a foreign language, which can be taken in high school.
Colleen Wetmore, a 22 year-old junior, said she didn’t take a foreign language in high school and now is required to fulfill that need in college.
“You’re going to college for something specific, why do you need to take something random like a foreign language?” said Wetmore.
Wetmore, who also had a problem transferring her credits from Manchester Community College, said CCSU needs to be more transfer friendly.
“I wanted to major in music,” Wetmore said. “When I decided not to I transferred to Central and half of my credits didn’t get carried over.”
Freshman Michael Hubbard, 18, said that despite this being his first year at CCSU, he doesn’t think he’ll have any problems with the current system.
“I’m only a freshman but I think the system works pretty efficiently,” said Hubbard.
Candace O’Sullivan, a 27 year-old graduate student, says she likes some things about the current system but would change some aspects.
“I like the fact that people with more credits get priority,” said O’Sullivan.
Her only complaint is that some courses are restricted to only students who have been accepted into a certain academic program.
“A 200 or 300-level class shouldn’t be blocked to certain students,” said O’Sullivan. “When I wanted to major in education I couldn’t take any classes that were related to it until I was accepted into the program.”
Junior Michael Tinnirella, 21, explained that the goal of the system is in the right place but it’s too extensive.
“I’d keep a minimum general education system,” said Tinnirella. “You should know how to read and write when you leave college, but 44 credits is a lot.”
A long road lays ahead for any possible changes to take place. The Faculty Senate general education ad hoc committee will meet over the coming months to discuss the next steps in the reform process before making their suggestions to CCSU.
