What inspired you to write this letter about co-curricular credits to the Administration?
When I was looking at my own co-curricular record, I was like, “wow, there's still a lot of credits that I need to get.” I have a fair number, but I realized that the University hadn't really adjusted the credits based on COVID; it was just changed because of the shorter semester. We have a lot of credits crammed in with no breaks, and in conversations with my friends and my suitemates, I discovered that we felt like it was a lot for this semester––it is very intense. It just seemed like the University’s co-curricular requirements was one area where they could have provided a way for students to have a break and do more things on their own. With everything going on this semester, it seemed like students could use a reprieve.
What did you say were the reasons that the Administration should further reduce the number of required co-curriculars?
My main reason was students’ mental health. Students are feeling very burnt out. And that was part of why @auconfessions (on Instagram) has had polls done just to see what people thought. About 90% of students were feeling overwhelmed and more burnt-out than usual. I also brought up financial issues. The pandemic has financially affected people in a number of ways, so it doesn't seem like they should be fining missed co-curriculars for this semester. With the shorter semester, everything is crammed together, so trying to fit co-curriculars in there is just another thing for students to add along with work and classes. It’s something that students don't need right now; not that the co-curriculars are bad–it just feels like it should be a lighter load for this semester.
What does your average schedule look like now and how does it differ from before COVID?
I'm doing a different job than I was doing before, I'm working about 15 hours a week now along with a 16 credit full course load. I'm also a Pulse group leader. I support the co-curriculars, but I do realize that there are limits. I'm feeling that strain myself, where I’m being stretched very thin between all that I am trying to do along with still having a healthy social life. Along with all of that, I also have to take care of myself mentally.
In what ways do you think COVID has limited or made co-curriculars more complicated to get?
I think the main thing is in-person activities. A lot of people are hesitant to spend extra time in some classes just to end up meeting online. It's great that they have provided some online opportunities, but for Pulse groups, students have felt like they weren't quite sure whether they should do online or in-person meetings. Ultimately, the semester is just so crammed into the time that we have. Students have less time to be able to devote to co-curriculars and chapel credits, and they need that time to work on projects and other things that they no longer have breaks for.
Do you feel that the specific requirements for attending Thursday Chapels should be lowered as well?
I think it would have to be a proportional kind of thing. I don't think that it should just be the co-curriculars that get shortened, I think it should be the chapels as well. Thursdays and Tuesdays aren't necessarily compatible with everyone's schedule and sometimes you need that time for yourself. Again, I am not saying that it's not important, but I do think that there should be some reduction in that area too.
Are there any other actions that you feel can be taken by the Andrews Administration in order to make life easier for students?
I think it's hard for this semester specifically because I think that providing some sort of break from classes would be the best thing that they could do. It sounds like the Administration is taking steps toward that for next semester, so I think they have at least noticed the problem. I do understand why they can't have breaks for this semester, because professors have already kind of planned their schedules. I definitely think that the co-curriculars are just one small area in which they could make those changes. I also think that cafeteria accounts would be another thing that they could change. It sounds like they're providing some sort of refund which is good, but not necessarily what's reasonable for some students because it's a shortened semester. They're eating fewer meals but they have to pay the same amount. Once again, with the financial burden that COVID places on people, that could be one area where they potentially refund more money to help students out.
Has administration gotten back to you and have any actions been taken?
They haven't said anything back to me and it's been about a week. I personally haven't heard anything, so we'll see.
The 老司机传媒 Student Association partnered with Ms. Coffen to ensure that this letter went through the proper channels and reached the necessary ears. On Friday, October 23, Dean Stephen Yeagley sent out an email notifying all Andrews students that the co-curricular requirements for traditional students are now reduced from 26 credits to 20 credits total. The specific Thursday minimum has been reduced from 9 credits to 8 credits, and the Residence Hall minimum will remain at 5 credits. The semester requirements for non-traditional and remote/hybrid students has been reduced as well, and the details regarding these reductions can be found in Dean Yeagley’s email.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of 老司机传媒. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, 老司机传媒 or the Seventh-day Adventist church.