“I honestly have no idea what University College is,” said Michael Durand ’12. Most students reading this article are more than likely sharing the same thought.
Right now, a plan is under review by the Academic Counsel to close the school, a move which can be seen as prudent given the current budget crisis. But what is University College exactly?
Although UC is one of Fairfield University’s six schools, its purpose differs greatly from its siblings. Located in Dolan House, the university website characterizes UC as “a gateway for the part-time student and lifelong learner to all of Fairfield’s undergraduate course offerings.” Aside from housing students, UC also offers a Bachelor’s Degree of Professional Studies (BPS). Those who have had classes with non-traditional students, or lifetime learners, have rubbed elbows with some of UC’s constituents.
Another function of UC is the ability of someone to start out part-time. If the student proved his or herself academically over the course of a few semesters, they would be allowed to transfer into one of the undergraduate schools and matriculate as a full-time student. In other words, a student could begin to take classes at UC, and graduate with a degree, without ever going through Fairfield’s admissions process.
Most of the school’s responsibilities have been deemed redundant since students could receive the same services and academic counseling from Fairfield’s other undergraduate schools.
If UC is shutdown, current students will experience no great change, aside from being absorbed into their respective school, completing their courses of study, and receiving advising, as they would have otherwise. If this scenario unfolds, the College of Arts and Sciences is debating whether or not they will continue to offer the BPS.
In the future, part-time students would apply directly to their school of choice and receive advising directly from the faculty of that school, thus integrating part-time and non-traditional students more fully into the rest of the undergraduate population.
Dr. Aaron Perkus, the Associate Dean of UC, offered insight into why the administration is considering the closure. Although redundancy topped the list, Perkus also cited “having a separate University College obstructed the mission to integrate ‘non-traditional’ students within the larger Fairfield community” and “ a decline in enrollment of students who met the initial mission for UC demographic.” He made a point to add that as of now the change would be only an administrative, as all UC responsibilities would be carried on by the other schools.
Members of the student and faculty communities felt that the cessation of UC would significantly increase the workload for current faculty.
“They’re making them double up,” said Kira Driver ‘14. She did recognize however, that some cuts may be necessary with Fairfield’s deficit, and that “in any situation its hard to make cuts.”
Professor Quaglia shared his thoughts about how the increased workload given to academic advisors would affect the University if the cut happens. “Before they were helping the community as they’re supposed to, and so they have more time, they have more accessibility … Now they’re going to overload some other people,” he said.
Quaglia also expressed concerned that further cuts would only serve in damaging the school. “There’s nothing to cut,” he said. “It doesn’t help the meaning of the University, which is [to] pursue a better way of teaching, and congregating people, make a community, make this thing work as one.”
As the administration continues to investigate cost-cutting strategies, its uncertain what the Fairfield of the future will look like.
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