MIDDBRIEFS

Author: ALEXXA GOTTHARDT, MATTIE GRATCH and CAROLINE S. STAUFFER

Physics department under external review

This past Wednesday marked the end of the second of three external academic department review committee visits for the 2004-2005 school year. The evaluation team, comprised of three faculty members from other liberal arts institutions, began its evaluation of the College's Physics Department early last week, and spent three days consulting faculty, students and administrators. The committee also assessed the department's self-study and the administration's "charge letter" highlighting important issues. Through the visit, committee members hoped to obtain an understanding of the department's strengths, weaknesses and future goals in order to compile an assessment that would include recommendations for further development.

This review of the Physics Department was part of an ongoing cycle of external departmental reviews established in 1995 as part of the Ten Year Plan. According to Dean of Faculty and Associate Professor of Psychology Susan M. Campbell, the evaluations aim to assist the departments, program faculty and administration in "refining the curriculum and anticipating staff needs." Every year three departments are chosen - ideally, each department is reviewed once every ten years. This year, reviewers have already completed evaluations of the Studio Art and Physics departments.

According to Campbell, past reviews have been very successful. "Departments have always enjoyed the opportunity to talk to colleagues from other schools and compare notes on shared issues and concerns," said Campbell. "The recommendations of an external review committee can lead to important changes in a department's structure and curriculum."

Jeffrey S. Dunham, chair of the Physics Department, expressed similar sentiments. "[The committee members] had a clear sense of our strengths and weaknesses," he said, "and they seemed genuinely interested in helping us improve our department."
This year's final review - of the French Department - will take place after spring break.

First-year award honors student achievements

Dalal Al-Abdulrazzak '07 was recently selected by the offices of the Dean of the College and the Dean of Student Affairs to receive the First Year Achievement Prize, established in 1990 by an anonymous donor and awarded annually to a well-rounded student with an outstanding academic record.

Associate Dean of Student Affairs Kathy Foley-Giorgio said she nominated Al-Abdulrazzak to acknowledge the College's appreciation of both Al-Abdulrazzak's academic successes and the many additional contributions she has made during her time at Middlebury. Foley-Giorgio described Al-Abdulrazzak as "an excellent role model for young women."

Al-Abdulrazzak served as program assistant for the College's International Student Orientation this fall, during which time she was an effective and compassionate leader. She is also the first Kuwaiti woman to achieve the highest level of honor in the Girl Scouts, and continues to be involved with local community troops in Vermont.

Al-Abdulrazzak said she was "very appreciative and pleasantly surprised" to receive such an honor, and plans on using the award's monetary component to help cover living expenses while interning at the Monterey Bay Aquarium this summer.


New SGA senators announced, bill passed

Two new students will join the Student Government Association (SGA). Dan Saper '06 will take over as Junior Half-Year Senator and Dean Atyia '08.5 will serve as the new First-Year Feb Senator.

The SGA passed a bill Sunday that was sponsored by the Chellis House. The House sought approval to form a formal committee of students, faculty and staff to do research on the status of women at Middlebury. The Bill requires no school funding, but merely desired SGA support.