The Faculty Senate yesterday met for the second time this semester, focusing on the revisions to the foreign language requirements for the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the reconstruction of the Hospitality and Tourism Management major.
It is possible that 1,800 students in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and 500 students in Hospitality and Tourism Management could be affected by the meeting.
Before the Senate vote, the Natural Sciences and Mathematics' foreign language requirement asked that all students take a fourth-semester (Intermediate II) level in one language. The change now says that students can take a fourth-semester (Intermediate II) level in one language, or take a third-semester (Intermediate I) level in one language and a second-semester (Elementary II) level in a second language.
Proponents of the change say that the new requirements will give students more flexibility. A reason for this change is that many students stop taking a language their junior year of high school and do not begin fulfilling their language requirement until their sophomore year at the University. A result of this is that some students have a larger burden of the language requirement than others, solely due to timing constraints.
Many foreign language classes do not have room for students until their sophomore year. Students may have to take on a heavier foreign language course load because of this.
The vote passed the Senate with little opposition. One member raised concern over whether or not the college should join two other colleges to create a three-college wide foreign language requirement. Senate Secretary Ernie May replied by saying he would look into the issue.
The vote to restructure the Hospitality and Tourism Management major passed with almost no opposition. Previously the major consisted of three concentrations, which were: Lodging Administration; Food Service Administration; and Travel and Tourism Administration. The revamped major will now consist of five concentrations, which are: Lodging Management; Food and Beverage Management; Tourism, Convention, and Event Management; Club Management and Casino Management.
Other campus issues were also raised at the meeting, including what is being done about the loss of the Campus Chronicle, which was eliminated this year due to the state's budget cuts. The Chronicle was the faculty newspaper, and listed many campus events.
University Chancellor John V. Lombardi addressed the issue, saying that an online calendar would be available by the beginning of next semester. The calendar would list events by individual departments, which would solve the problem of the "failure of the campus to have a decent calendar." He also said there would be helpful sections of the website such as a "Frequently Asked Questions" button.
Also addressed at the meeting was an announcement made by Jenny Spencer, the president of the Massachusetts Society of Professors. She said that her organization is seeking a full reimbursement of the faculty contracts that have not been funded in a year and a half. She also said that former Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate, Robert Reich, has accepted an invitation by the University to speak. He is being paid $2,000 by the University to speak at the Lord Jeffrey Inn Ballroom.
