Shyam Sundaram '08
Overall, I'm pretty supportive of the work they're doing. I went to their open panel with (President) Ruth Simmons and Dean (Katherine) Bergeron and all the members of the task force on the Monday before Thanksgiving. I learned a lot about what they did. I thought what they're tackling is great because I think the open curriculum is great, but there are things that could be improved.
One thing that I really liked that they're tackling is advising. I had a pretty bad advising experience myself my freshman year because of the lack of communication between advisers, who were faculty in different departments. I know this is something they're tackling. The fact that they're doing something about it is brilliant.
I was initially concerned about the introduction of requirements, but Dean Bergeron in the beginning of that panel said that the talk of mainstream requirements never came up, so I don't think that's a concern anymore.
Matthew Gelfand '09
I met Dean (Katherine) Bergeron last year when I was working on the Banner issue. I was happy with the way that she talked to us and the way she was willing to listen to us on the issues. I have kept talking to her occasionally since then - I'm currently enrolled in her class.
In terms of what she's doing, a lot of people have been worried at first about the task force hurting the curriculum and playing a large role in changing the curriculum. I certainly think there were issues like that - Banner was one issue that had the potential to cause problems. But in the end I think that the task force - at least it seems - is not going to be touching the curriculum in a major way.
It's clear from my discussions with her and from my discussions with other members of the task force that she respects the open curriculum, she understands that it's something that's unique to Brown, something that Brown needs to set itself apart from other schools. In that respect, I think she intends to keep it at least mostly the way it is at the moment.
Stefan Smith '09
At the onset, a lot of us had misgivings about what Dean (Katherine) Bergeron's and the task force's roles on the campus were. They really did a poor job of communicating themselves to the students. But I think in recent weeks, with their focus groups and their coming to UCS, and their general presence on campus and soliciting of support, they're doing a pretty good job of seeing what's out there. I'm curious to see what their recommendations are going to be.
My one major concern was whether or not they were going to touch the heart of the New Curriculum, which is the openness of Brown classes and the absence of a core curriculum, which is why I think most Brown students came here. But at the UCS meeting a couple weeks ago, Dean Bergeron and the task force addressed those fears by saying they were not looking at that, it was not their priority, the priority was to work within the new curriculum. Right now my main concern is that they look at capstone experiences - what we're supposed to be doing junior and senior year to round out our Brown education. Also the adding of a minor, something like that, since for many people, a second concentration isn't really doable, especially if you're an engineer or in (international relations).
Dean Bergeron has a horrible reputation, some of which is deserved, in the sense that she isn't quite what we're used to. We're used to (President) Ruth Simmons, and the presence of comfort and familiarity that comes with that. Dean Bergeron, being brought in from Berkeley and being new to the system that we have in place here put her at a disadvantage in terms of articulating her goals to the student body. But I do think she's doing a really good job when it comes to putting herself out there now. I see her more around campus now, I see her going to events, she's been invited to a lot of things, and she actually is a very interesting person.
