Student Senate declared the 2007-08 academic year the Year of Liberal Arts by passing a resolution last night to encourage dialogue and awareness about the importance of liberal arts education at Ohio University.
Students don't understand concept or the value of liberal arts
said Matt Tokarsky, senator for East Green and Vice-Commissioner for Academic Affairs. It's time for students to take advantage of the liberal arts education that OU can provide.
Senate will talk to Admissions about advertising OU as a liberal arts institution, making information available in University College courses and Precollege. Tokarsky said he plans to hold discussions with alumni where the alumni will say 'I got a liberal arts education at OU look at the amazing job I have.'
Additional resources needed to promote the Year of Liberal Arts will be limited. Academic units will be asked to volunteer funds that will be used for publicity and pilot studies, said Patrick Heery, who attended the meeting as a representative of the College of Arts and Sciences and also as a proxy for Michelle Connavino, senator for the College of Education.
College of Arts and Sciences Dean Benjamin Ogles, along with other students, faculty and staff, is formulating a plan for creating a structure to educate students on the value and nature of a liberal arts education. According to the resolution, dialogue about liberal arts philosophy and its modern-day relevance will be held throughout the year.
Resolution follow-up
Students will start receiving weekly e-mails from OU President Roderick McDavis, Executive Vice President and Provost Kathy Krendl and Vice President of Student Affairs Kent Smith this Friday. The administrators will take turns updating students on university affairs.
The e-mails are a result of a resolution passed by senate last month that encouraged administrators to better communicate with students.
I'm excited about it Smith said. I've always attempted to reach out to students by e-mail. It shows that when we work together
we can find a common interest.
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Jessica Holbrook
