Provost holds first luncheon
Olga Filippova
Issue date: 3/9/07 Section: News
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Provost Stephen Director discussed his vision of Drexel's academic future with students at a luncheon in the Bossone Research Center March 5. The provost's office and the Undergraduate Student Government Association sponsored the event.
The primary focus of Director's presentation was the University's strategic plan. He noted that as Drexel's student body has grown over the past few years, so has the number of academic programs and the amount of research being conducted. Director called Drexel a comprehensive school because of the recent additions of the medical and law schools, and the long tradition of "use-inspired" research - that is, research that is intended to solve particular problems. He assured the audience that Drexel would continue to incorporate experimental learning techniques, such as co-op, into its curriculum.
Director told students about changes he hopes to make to improve academics. One of his main goals is to transform Drexel from a well-known and respected regional school into a well-known and respected national or international school. Director indicated that he believes the University can obtain this status by retaining its core values of experimental learning, the strive for excellence and the desire for comprehensiveness.
Director further hopes to enrich the education process and promote student leadership.
According to Director, one way to enrich education is to add more co-op opportunities outside the Philadelphia region. Another is to increase retention; the University hopes to maintain each student's attachment to Drexel while they are on co-op. A new policy that allows students to take one free class while on co-op, which began in fall 2006, aims to accomplish this. New curriculum changes that will increase flexibility for students and add concentrations within majors are also in the works.
It is Director's hope that increasing student leadership will strengthen the connection students have with Drexel and create more rounded students.
The primary focus of Director's presentation was the University's strategic plan. He noted that as Drexel's student body has grown over the past few years, so has the number of academic programs and the amount of research being conducted. Director called Drexel a comprehensive school because of the recent additions of the medical and law schools, and the long tradition of "use-inspired" research - that is, research that is intended to solve particular problems. He assured the audience that Drexel would continue to incorporate experimental learning techniques, such as co-op, into its curriculum.
Director told students about changes he hopes to make to improve academics. One of his main goals is to transform Drexel from a well-known and respected regional school into a well-known and respected national or international school. Director indicated that he believes the University can obtain this status by retaining its core values of experimental learning, the strive for excellence and the desire for comprehensiveness.
Director further hopes to enrich the education process and promote student leadership.
According to Director, one way to enrich education is to add more co-op opportunities outside the Philadelphia region. Another is to increase retention; the University hopes to maintain each student's attachment to Drexel while they are on co-op. A new policy that allows students to take one free class while on co-op, which began in fall 2006, aims to accomplish this. New curriculum changes that will increase flexibility for students and add concentrations within majors are also in the works.
It is Director's hope that increasing student leadership will strengthen the connection students have with Drexel and create more rounded students.
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