While students are bracing themselves for a possible change in the grading scale in the fall of 2009, the possibility of another change to the academic identity of Loyola is also eminent.

According to Edward Kvet, provost and vice president of academic affairs, the discussion of making changes to the Common Curriculum has been going on since pre-Katrina.

“Essentially what the  (Common Curriculum Committee) has done is reported to the Board of Trustees that for some odd years they have been thinking of some restructuring but there are no final decisions yet,” Kvet said.

Alice Clark, the Common Curriculum Committee Chairperson, and associate professor in the College of Music and Fine Arts, could not be reached for comment.

Kvet said he believes that by the end of this year the Committee will have a clear idea of what direction they want the Common Curriculum to go in.

Presently, students are required to take a total of 48 hours of Common Curriculum courses, including English, religious studies, mathematics, science, philosophy, history, behavioral/social science, natural science and common curriculum electives.

Kvet said he does not know the exact “configuration” of how curriculum will change.
“Do we need to revise how we allocate those types of courses, do we need to look at things such as seminars,” Kvet said. “And once we make those types of decisions, we will allocate those types of requirement.”

Contrary to the belief that students would like a reduction in the number of classes, Andrew Poland, political science sophomore, said that he would like to continue to see the number of Common Curriculum Courses, especially religion and philosophy classes.

“One of our (Loyola’s) things is the creation of the ‘whole person.’ If you take away that, then what are we?” Poland said. “I think it’s just a B.S. excuse to cut costs. It’s a university. We come here to learn.”

The provost also said if any changes are made, they will affect the subsequent incoming class.

Kvet assures that whatever decision is made, it will not be done any time soon.

“Whatever is decided, it will be a multi-year process. Nothing will be decided quickly,” Kvet said.

Jaune Jackson can be reached at [email protected].