<p>Okay, so two weeks before deposits are due – and after many students have already sent theirs in – Bard announces that it is introducing a mandatory three week program in January for freshmen. Pass / fail called “Citizen Science.” It actually looks like an interesting program, but these poor kids will have only two weeks off in December, after already starting their school year in the beginning of August. </p>
<p>The intention behind the program is a good one. In the letter to admitted students and their families, Botstein says “Bard has initiated this program because we at the College are concerned about the consequences of inadequate scientific literacy in our democracy. A civil and open conversation about public policy issues depends on some comprehension of the extent and limits of scientific claims.” </p>
<p>the subject will be infectious disease.</p>
<p>I am just amazed that the school threw this in our laps so last-minute. It seems like they should have introduced this program earlier in the year, so families could have all the information in hand when deciding upon schools. </p>
<p>My S is away and hasn’t seen this, so I don’t know how this will affect his decision. I am sure he will find it interesting, and certainly is one who cares alot about public policy and reasoned debate, but I am also sure he will be bummed at the prospect of going back to school right after New Year’s!!</p>
<p>Although it seems like two weeks at winter is very short, it’s not unusual - check out the Ivy calendars - there’s usually only 2-3 weeks off. On the other hand, not many schools start in early August. Starting that soon was an issue for my son last year (which we did our best to discount - saying it was not a reason to pick or not pick a school for the next four years) - not sure that a shorter winter break would have mattered one way or the other.</p>
<p>We too received the letter yesterday, and my son has yet to see it, being out of town right now. I got the feeling though that they won’t have to do this the first year, I thought it said that is needs to be completed before graduation…I think it’s a great idea, but I know my son will be very much looking forward to a long winter break after having been in school for 3 weeks longer than normal…It’s worth a call to find out before we make assumptions…</p>
<p>In rereading the letter, MLMom, I see that you may be right. I assumed they had to do it this first year. I will call on Monday. </p>
<p>This is the first class required to do this, though, so if all the kids opt to do it later in their tenure, there won’t be anyone in this program this year!</p>
<p>I don’t like Botstein’s equating the vacation schedule to the work world. These are adolescents, not adults, and comparing the school year to an adult reality is not fair. </p>
<p>When they sent this letter, they should have given more specifics. I hunted around and found a mention of it in an Academic Calendar, which puts the dates as Jan. 3 - 21. The second semester starts on the 24th.</p>
<p>no, it’s not in discussion phase anymore. Accepted students got a letter about it. What’s not clear is whether they have to do it this year as freshmen or can do it later. </p>
<p>I agree that it sounds like a good idea. My concern is the timing of the announcement – the letter came on Friday; doesn’t seem fair to people who already made a decision about which school to attend without full information. I’m also concerned about the really long school year the freshmen will have, coming in early August as they do. </p>
<p>We’ll see. My S hasn’t seen this info yet, so I have no idea how or whether it will influence his decision.</p>
<p>In fairness, my kids in college have found the January break to be ultimately long and boring if they’re at home. Everyone else is back at school doing “winter course” things, the family is off at work and school, and there’s only so much tv a person can watch. After the first dull January, both my college age kids have found internships, classes, service projects etc. that take them either back to school or away from home anyway.</p>
<p>I have to agree with stradmom that the January break seemed too long - or not long enough - because there wasn’t really enough time to enroll in a J-term class at another college, or get a job, or do an internship. Maybe next break, now that he knows what’s coming he’ll plan better for the time off.</p>
<p>S is back, and he thinks the program sounds great, and would have done it even if not required! (of course, we still don’t know if he’s planning to go to Bard yet or not!!)</p>
<p>I agree I think the program is a great idea. For Bard to be all about interdisciplinary studies and have L&T (humanities focused) but not to have a course focusing on hard sciences really doesn’t make sense. I’d say its definitely a step in the right direction.</p>
<p>I did call this morning and spoke to admissions. Yes, it IS required for all freshman class of 2014 and must be taken in Jan of 2011 (freshman year). I was really hoping they could choose which winter they would take Citizen Science. This does make their freshman year extra long…My son likes the idea, but I’m not so sure it’s the best idea to add this to their plate in the freshman year. I feel he would welcome a 5 week break from the intensity of college in the middle of the winter, I know my daughter needs that time every year to recharge for the spring… I don’t think it will change his mind though (although he is still deciding between 2 schools at this late date)</p>