The core curriculum task force convened in the basement of the Rice library Aug. 30.

The purpose of the meeting was to obtain feedback regarding the proposed changes to the Core. Faculty members from multiple departments were invited to attend.

Introductions and brief explanations started off the meeting; afterwards, the floor opened for comments, concerns and suggestions. Hands raised left and right as teachers and staff voiced their opinions on the proposed changes. Virginia Poston, assistant professor of art history, said in the proposed core, only art majors are required to take a fine arts class.

“As an art teacher, that concerns me,” Poston said.

Poston also said it may be structurally and/or financially difficult for the university and for teachers to “begin the new Core while finishing out the old.”

College of Business Professor Jane Johansen said they have writing intensive courses outlined, but no focus on math analytical intensive courses. Junior Radio-television major Michael Robertson said he feels the same way.

He said history and math courses in the current core are undermined.

Junior political science major Emily Myer said the current core has a lot of science which is only beneficial someone majoring in science, but for everyone else, it is a waste of time.

The suggestions and comments ranged from increasing the hours dedicated to critical thinking seminars to the conflict between the writing intensive courses with math and other disciplines.

For five months the task force worked on constructing the new core, and town halls were held to gather feedback from faculty and staff. As the meeting came to a close, hands were still in the air, yet the task force still plans to implement the new core in 2013.

In a previous article, Student Government Association (SGA) president and member of the task force Jordan Whiteledge said the new core curriculum is still in its revision stage, and is currently seeking feedback from faculty and students. 

After the feedback is digested by the task force, they will revise and redraft the proposed core. The revised core will then be sent via email to faculty, who will provide any further feedback before it is sent to the state Senate for approval.

Some of the student population have remained unaware that such changes are occurring. Out of 20 students questioned, only one, Emily Myer, said she was aware of the proposed changes. She said she had heard about it from a friend and then read about it in the Shield.

“I don’t know the details, I just know of it,” Myer said.