University on track if it listens to raised concerns
The most helpful things discussed at the collaborative community dinner include revising the core curriculum, implementing an honor code and giving seniors the chance to come full-circle.
COMMENTARY
Chelsea Hudson

Last week I attended the collaborative community dinner with about 150 student leaders, faculty, staff and administrators. The discussion centered on how TCU is doing and how it can be better. There were several interesting ideas discussed that should be considered.
First, while many students have memorized the mission statement, there is a desire to understand it and apply it. Several students suggested that a class be offered to discuss ethics and global concepts.

Currently, the Faculty Senate is spearheading discussions on a revised curriculum and one of the discussions concerns the creation of class that explores our university’s mission statement. I am a strong supporter of this idea for two reasons: it creates understanding of our university and it teaches us valuable insights about the world around us.

Another suggestion was made to create senior seminars. I am currently enrolled in a political science course that serves a similar purpose. The format is discussion-based and the purpose of the class is to understand how all our political science courses interrelate. This experience is helping my education come full-circle.

Similar courses should be offered to all seniors. Even if they didn’t correlate with students’ majors, these seminars would give seniors an opportunity to think about what they have learned and hopefully prepare them for their futures.

Another idea discussed was the creation of an honor code. Currently, the Student Affairs Committee in the House of Student Representatives is working on this concept. They recently conducted a survey asking students if they would like to see an honor code implemented at TCU. Ninety percent of the students surveyed said yes.

Bill Moncrief, the senior associate dean of the Business School, said an honor code for MBA students has been implemented and has been very successful.

One of the most intriguing concepts discussed at the dinner was the direction TCU is headed. The people sitting at my table agreed the most treasured characteristics of TCU are its warmth and friendliness. People wave and say hello when you walk around our campus.

Currently, there is a tremendous desire to increase TCU’s prominence by raising the academic bar and increasing diversity. However, taking TCU to a new level might take away some of its current charm. I think our university needs to find its balance. We need to admit well-rounded students and strive to excel in new areas while maintaining our spirit of friendliness. I know TCU will always be on track if people who care continually take the time to discuss and act on the possibilities.

Chelsea Hudson is a senior political science major from Plano.