In yesterday’s Crimson, it was reported that changes could be in store for the Optional Winter Activities Week (OWAW), following a presentation by Dean of the College Evelynn Hammonds in a recent faculty meeting. These potential reforms have been proposed in light of the mixed results of the College’s winter vacation survey.
Of the 924 respondents, only 37% said that they had participated in OWAW. Two major complaints of OWAW are that it is too short and not advertised early—and well—enough. Many are either unaware of the specifics of OWAW or decide that their time would be better spent at home for an extra week.
The College currently finds itself at a crossroads. It must decide whether or not it wants to expand the program or improve on the existing model, i.e. increase publicity and refine the list of activities. I am a firm believer in the former. I recommend that the administration look at other schools’ successful winter programs (see MIT and Middlebury) and develop its own model that will work for the students.
January term is a great time to offer students an opportunity to pursue academic interests outside their concentration, meet new people, and not have to worry about grades, essays, and problem sets. Being able to take seminars with renowned faculty and interact with students who, for once, aren’t busy 24/7 would be both rewarding and refreshing. So, administration, I implore you to lengthen the program, offer credit-granting courses, integrate our preeminent professors, and provide us with a better OWAW.
Photo credit: timsackton (flickr)