While the working draft of the UNC system’s Strategic Plan does well in outlining a clear map to achieve optimal return on investment, its goal of decreasing the average number of hours taken en route to degree completion throughout the system must be done carefully.
Reducing the number of hours taken does make sense, in some ways. More hours taken means more class sections are needed, and those sections must be paid for somehow.
But that reduction must be carried out wisely. Some aspects of the reduction strategy would benefit students. For example, revamped advising would help keep students better informed and less likely to take redundant courses.
The plan makes mention of incorporating new employer surveys into that advising system. There’s nothing wrong with gathering and presenting information to students, but the advising office shouldn’t be beholden to business. After all, an adviser isn’t a human resources representative.
Also, making sure all students enroll in the necessary prerequisites that lay the educational foundation for higher-end courses is essential. If the proper knowledge base is not fostered, students will naturally flounder in the more rigorous upper-level classes. This is a poor use of everyone’s time and money.
The Board of Governors must not forget that the heart of education is truly learning the material, not merely cranking out a degree as fast as one can. Students should be better prepared for the hours they are taking, not discouraged from taking the classes altogether.
When students fail classes, potential returns are completely lost. But there is a solution: Extensive preparation through a strong prerequisite program and thorough, useful advising will ultimately help breed an optimal return on investment.
