Town Hall Meeting at LCW Introduces New Structure for Judaic Studies Requirement
In a community conversation with the deans, students learn about the new Advanced level Judaic track.
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When is the student housing application due? Who can confirm my tuition payment? Judaic studies finals are in two weeks?!
The Town Hall gatherings at LCW occur four times per academic year to give students the opportunity to ask questions and voice opinions, concerns, requests, and ideas. While the Dean’s opening remarks include reminders and clarifications, the latter half of the meeting opens the floor to the student body. Given the opportunity to contribute to the dialogue, these meetings have been the birthing-ground for new classes, minors, clubs and student-run initiatives. In previous Town Hall meetings, a Latin class was created (Fall 2013) and a volleyball team organized (Fall 2014).
On Tuesday, April 28, Dean Marian Stoltz-Loike and Assistant Dean Simi Shasha-Sugar addressed the student body regarding a variety of upcoming and existing matters at Lander College for Women—The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten School (LCW).
Dean Stoltz-Loike introduced the new structure for Judaic Studies courses, which now includes a 3-credit Advanced level track in addition to the already-existing Honors track and Machon (introductory) track. This reconfiguration allows students who had previously been taking two Advanced classes at 1.5 credits each the opportunity to just take one class for 3 credits in order to fulfill the Judaic Studies core requirement per semester. During the upcoming Fall 2015 registration period, students will be able to register for 3-credit Advanced level classes without an exam. This news was especially exciting for students like Chani Altman, ‘16, who took two 1.5 credit classes every semester until now. “I’m so happy about this new breakdown,” Altman remarked. “Now, I’m thinking of minoring in Judaic Studies, because I’ll have time to take more Judaic courses in the following two semesters!”
Students also expressed interest in pursuing post-bacs and requested a more updated tuition-notification system. The dean heard them out and provided insightful information about how to return to LCW for post-baccalaureate courses. She also agreed that a user-friendly tuition system is essential, and said she would look into the matter.
LCW is constantly listening to its student body, said Dean Stoltz-Loike, who closed the meeting by encouraging students to “ask questions—we have the right people in the right places.”
To underclassmen seeking registration information and upperclassmen pitching ideas for new courses: welcome to the conversation!
