Capstone projects set for '13's

Author: Tim O'Grady

The College faculty has begun implementation of a new rule mandating that all students complete senior work as a requirement for graduation, a rule that will take effect for the class of 2013. Senior work is defined as a culminating thesis, creative project or special seminar paper initiated by a student pertaining to his or her major.

Susan Campbell, dean of the faculty, will be collaborating with the Educational Affairs Committee and academic department chairs to figure out the logistics of this decision. There will not be a separate department dedicated to senior work. Instead, students will work side-by-side with their academic advisors.

Campbell stated that she will "leave it up to the departments to determine the scope and specifications" of senior work projects. This new requirement is not intended to merely substitute for senior seminars, but instead motivate students to "initiate their own projects and emphasize the capacity for seniors to be autonomous," said Campbell.

The senior work requirement is also aimed to "help form a coherent four-year experience for students and a culminating way to cap off one's Midd experience," explained Campbell.

Professor Véguez of the Spanish Department is also optimistic about the benefits of senior work projects.

"Students form intense, close relationships with their advisors while writing a thesis and are immersed in their work," said Véguez.

Since such projects allow students to meet more frequently with their advisors, professors can also delve deeply into what their students are researching.

"I often read articles pertaining to the topics my students are writing their papers about," said Véguez.

Campbell clarified that senior work projects will be credit-bearing and will count toward the 36 credits needed to graduate. Since students will cover topics pertaining to their majors, the specifications will be determined by the chairs of their respective departments. Seniors pursuing double majors will be required to complete two independent senior works.

Depending on the regulations established by each academic department, a senior can spend one or two semesters or a Winter Term completing the project. Department heads have to adapt to the new provision by including senior work as part of a major's required course-load. The Curriculum Committee, responsible for approving courses and academic programs, will review and approve each department's proposal.

Campbell cited "changing student-advisor interactions" as another motive for creating the newly instated requirement. "Over the last decade students have become more reliant on email and cell phones to contact their advisors," said Campbell. Even though these technological advances may be more convenient, Campbell stated that "personal contact with one's advisor is crucial and sparks more spontaneous discussions."

The changing role of advising was the topic of discussion at the first faculty meeting of the year. Faculty members addressed the new and improved role advising will play once the senior work requirement is enacted. Middlebury faculty members believe that these projects will be effective because of their ability to encourage one-on-one interaction between students and advisors.

"The issue of closer student-advisor relationships has been an issue for years," said Campbell. "In fact, President [of the College Ronald D.] Liebowitz acknowledged the need to improve students' relationships with faculty members in his 'Master Plan' that he created when he started his position."

Once the new requirement is enacted, students will have to communicate frequently with their advisors in order to choose courses that can lead to a coherent project senior year.

"[Advisors] will have to be more thoughtful about advising students through their major," said Campbell.

Even though current Middlebury students will be grandfathered out of this requirement, many had mixed feelings about the initiative.

"I definitely think students should have the opportunity to choose what they do to culminate their senior year and their major, but I do not think they should be forced to complete an in-depth project," said Sofia Zinger '11. Zinger worries that students will view senior work "as 'just another big project' rather than something that shows one's passions."

Campbell and the Educational Affairs Committee recognize that senior work will be obligatory, but claim that a student can complete their project in a plethora of ways that won't make it seem as restricting.

"One foreign language department even suggested making seniors translate world literature and posting their work on the web for other students to view," said Campbell.