Low Standards Equal Low Expectations
Editorial
by Angel Vitiello
Issue date: 12/1/08 Section: Opinion
Marking my second semester as a Student Conference member and first semester as the Vice Chair, there have been a number of student-related issues that concern me. But the one that concerns me most is academic standards.
Compared to the other CUNY senior colleges, Lehman's freshman and transfer students have the lowest SAT scores and grade point average. When the proposal to raise the admittance scores was brought to the Full Senate last semester, I was astonished by the dissent it received.
Many administrators stated indirectly that the community Lehman serves is essentially incapable of reaching an accentuated bar. I interpreted this opposition as a blatant insult. How will Lehman evolve and when will it see its last days of being called a Tier 2 college? By advocating for the stagnation of academic standards, Lehman is prohibiting the community it serves from a chance to reach a higher level.
After intense debate, the proposal was finally passed. I, along with several members of Student Conference agree that setting the bar higher gets students to work harder or even exceed expectations. The new academic standards, which go into effect fall 2009, will mandate a higher SAT score for freshman and a higher grade point average for transfer students. I hope students' voices will continue to make an impact and will raise that bar yet again.
Angel Vitello
Staff Writer and Student Conference Vice Chair
Compared to the other CUNY senior colleges, Lehman's freshman and transfer students have the lowest SAT scores and grade point average. When the proposal to raise the admittance scores was brought to the Full Senate last semester, I was astonished by the dissent it received.
Many administrators stated indirectly that the community Lehman serves is essentially incapable of reaching an accentuated bar. I interpreted this opposition as a blatant insult. How will Lehman evolve and when will it see its last days of being called a Tier 2 college? By advocating for the stagnation of academic standards, Lehman is prohibiting the community it serves from a chance to reach a higher level.
After intense debate, the proposal was finally passed. I, along with several members of Student Conference agree that setting the bar higher gets students to work harder or even exceed expectations. The new academic standards, which go into effect fall 2009, will mandate a higher SAT score for freshman and a higher grade point average for transfer students. I hope students' voices will continue to make an impact and will raise that bar yet again.
Angel Vitello
Staff Writer and Student Conference Vice Chair
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Afrika Zyonne-Kumani
posted 1/22/09 @ 11:48 AM EST
I totally agree with setting a higher standard for student to meet and or exceed; however, we should also set higher standards for professors. Too often, I have experienced sitting in class trying to figure out what is the professor talking about because of his/her inability to communicate effectively or articulate the subject matter. (Continued…)
Jason Jeremias
posted 1/24/09 @ 12:22 AM EST
I agree with the above student's response. All actors need to be held responsible for creating a positive and uplifting academic experience. A student should not be called out or made to feel insubordinate for asking questions. (Continued…)
Daniel Ybarra
posted 3/02/09 @ 7:49 PM EST
I would like to know what else you have in mind besides raising academic standards? I am curious because the quality of a school isn't the average score of SAT's or the overall GPA of its students. (Continued…)
Post a Comment