Forum looks at current academic programs

By: Amanda Bloomer
Contributing Writer

Jane Jakoubek, vice president of academic affairs and dean of the faculty, likened this to a football coach’s playbook.

“This” is the academic strategic plan, and students were given the chance to offer their input at an Associated Students of Monmouth College (ASMC) forum held at 8 p.m. Thursday night, Feb. 23 in the Highlander Room of the Stockdale Center.

Jakoubek said that, with the college’s addition of a new president and a new dean, it was the perfect time for reevaluating and revamping current programs, as well as considering new programs.

Student body president, Richard Harrod, and student body vice president, Paige Halpin, have been collaborating with Jakoubek to establish better student-administration relations; this forum is only one of the fruits of this collaboration. Participants were arranged into small groups, where they were assigned questions which addressed topics which correlated with a specific faculty subcommittee.

These small group sessions included “International Education,” “Connecting Liberal Arts and the Professional World,” “Raising Standards,” “Finding a Niche” and “Information Technology.” There was also a unifying question which asked, “What are the most exciting learning opportunities that students have at Monmouth College?”

Jakoubek considered this to be the most important question asked during the evening, and claimed it was at the heart of what this forum was trying to discover.

A representative from each faculty subcommittee was present to observe the proceedings.

Student discussion was productive, and Harrod said he was satisfied with the evening’s results. He felt that the meeting was a success as a result of the positive and honest feedback from the student body.

Harrod also says students can expect a similar forum in the future addressing student retention.

Jakoubek encourages students to contact her with any further questions or comments. She would also welcome another forum like the academic strategic planning forum. She contended that all Monmouth College students are invested in the current and future improvements at the college. So, it is in your best interest to lend a voice.