FYI: Failing jeopardizes students’ futures

Consequences for failing courses aren’t new, but for nine entering freshmen, failing a First Year Inquiry course has more far-reaching effects.

The bad news is that students failing one of the new FYI courses face a boatload of problems including lack of course substitution and loss of financial aid. The good news is that administrators say they are aware of this, and are working on a solution.

With the introduction of FYI courses and CSC’s change from a general studies program model to the new essential studies model, the college altered how it approached education, and requires students to alter how they earn credits and, ultimately, how they learn.

“Students have to take a total of six credits from First Year Inquiry,” said Joel Hyer, dean of B.E.A.M.S.S. and curriculum and academic advancement.

“They don’t necessarily have to take one six-credit course; they could take two, three-credit courses,” Hyer said, adding that about 70-80 percent of FYI courses are in a six credit hour format.

Hyer acknowledged that under the existing system, if a student fails one of those courses, he or she faces a possibility of being unable to repeat the course within the first year. If the course is eliminated, then not at all.

If that happens, those students’ financial aid could be adversely affected, Hyer said.

“I think faculty are pretty sensitive to six-credit-hour courses,” Hyer said. “They are high stakes courses, and could impact financial aid.”

Hyer added that Academic Review, a Faculty Senate subcommittee, is grappling with how to deal with students who fail an FYI course.

Faculty serving on Academic Review, and professors teaching the FYI courses, are aware of the challenges, Hyer said.

“I believe faculty are genuinely concerned,” he said, “the students have to meet them halfway, though.”

Hyer decried the notion that FYI courses are designed to screen out students who are unfit for college.

“They FYIs haven’t been designed for that; they’re designed for success,” Hyer said. “Every student counts at a small institution like this. As an open enrollment institution, we have a moral and ethical responsibility to our students.”

Though he acknowledged the challenges, Hyer also praised FYI courses for their creativity and unique teaching approach.

“It’s released a great deal of creativity by faculty and I’m just dazzled by that,” Hyer said. “The FYI and Essential Studies programs are becoming part of our DNA.”