I am disturbed by the proposed initiative by the Dean of the College to allow Meiklejohn peer advisers access to their advisees’ course carts (“Meiks may gain access to first-years’ Banner carts,” Dec. 3). To begin with, exactly which of the myriad problems with first-year advising is this proposal attempting to solve? Is there evidence to suggest that the quality of Meiklejohn advising is impeded by the fact that advisers do not currently have access to their advisees’ Banner carts? Is there any relevant information to be found in a course cart that isn’t already in the advisee course preferences Meiklejohns receive?
The main objective of the Meiklejohn peer advising program, as I understand it, is to equip first-years with the tools and support necessary to successfully navigate the Open Curriculum on their own terms. It is most definitely not one of its functions to micromanage course selection. It is neither the job, nor frankly the place, of Meiklejohns to critically scan through each item in a first-year’s course cart and dispense advice based on what is or isn’t there. Of course, if a first-year desires more specific help pertaining to courses, he or she is free to proffer such information during advising meetings. However, to grant advisers access to their advisees’ Banner carts, regardless of whether it ends up being opt-in or opt-out, sends the wrong message about the nature and role of the Meiklejohn advising relationship, not to mention the potential privacy issues involved.
Jonathan Kang ’12
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