FYE class suspended for year, director Jason Bentley resigns starting Thursday
The First Year Experience class will be suspended for the 2013-14 academic year, Provost Gary Shapiro said at Tuesday’s Academic Senate meeting.
Shapiro told A-Senate a study conducted over the summer from the Institution of Research Office indicates the one-credit course is not meeting its retention goals.
The course is offered to first-semester students as an extended orientation to Central Michigan University. Students are encouraged to participate in university events and registered student organizations through active learning strategies and explorations of services, resources and programs at CMU.
Shapiro said the university will appoint a committee to study the FYE course and he will have a written charge for the Nov. 13 A-Senate meeting ordering A-Senate to elect two faculty members to the committee. The faculty members do not need to be senators.
In addition, Shapiro said Director of FYE Jason Bentley has put in his resignation after six years of service. Bentley’s resignation will take effect Thursday.
During an interview with Central Michigan Life before the A-Senate meeting Tuesday morning, Bentley said he knew nothing about the FYE course being eliminated.
"I have not heard of anything that suggests (the course) is taking cuts,” he said. “We are always looking forward and are always in discussion of how we could make the program better."
Bentley will continue work with CMU as assistant director of residence life.
"The program has always been taking three-year terms. Phame Camerana served three years, and (before him), Jack Logo Marnino served three years. I've served six years, which is two terms, so I will return to my home department."
Shapiro said the main reason for developing the FYE course was to acclimate students to campus and improve their academic performance.
If CMU does resume a FYE course, he said the committee will discuss what the course should look like and what the university should do to help freshmen and transfer students.
Staff reporter Neil Rosan and University News Editor Catey Traylor contributed to this report.
