1290 AM RC, Pilot programs: More than a classroom By MITCH CANTOR Amidst all the bureaucracy and confusion of this big University are two academic programs designed to make new students feel more at ease in their new surroundings. Emphasizing a more intimate and comfortable at- mosphere within which to study, the Pilot Program and the Residential College (RC) offer a different approach to standard University life. Both programs serve as alternatives to a traditional Literary College (LSA) education, encourage participation and involvement with others as part of the "living-learning" experience. THE PILOT PROGRAM, now over 16 years old, is a two-year-long venture of- fering "an alternative eductional ex- perience while providing the academic standards of the University," accor- ding to Betty Skandalis, last year's Pilot programming director. Pilot Program students are asked to try to apply everything they learn to the "real world." It is hoped that this will help them become more innovative, to help them see things from a slightly dif- ferent viewpoint. "Students are made not to look just at the course contents but also the social and moral implications," says Skan- dalis. PILOT STUDENTS, which numbered approximately 375 last year, are required to live in Alice Lloyd Hall for one year. In addition, each student must select one section of Pilot English Composition 125, and one. "theme experience" course which is a one-credit class composed of panels, films, and lectures centering around a major theme. Pilot classes vary greatly from their LSA counterparts. They are taught by teaching assistants who live in the dormitory and are molded by the TAs who hope to provide a more informal setting for academics. WHEN THE RESIDENTIAL College (RC) was founded in 1967, many saw it simply as an elaboration of the Pilot Program. RC, however, goes much fur- ther in stressing a "living-learning" education. RC is a complete four-year program which offers its own degree as well as concentrations unavailable to non-RC students. But at the same time, its "college-within-a-college" format allows its participants to benefit from all LSA courses and activities. As with the Pilot Program, RC students are strongly encouraged to' Residential College Director John Mersereau scrutinizes the work of April Fool's Day pranksters. 7PkR A. [DT t take part in extra-curricular activities, to take a look at what's going on around them. This is one reason East Quad, where RC students are required to live for two years, has gained a reputation on campus as an activist stronghold. ANOTHER SIMILARITY between Pilot and RC is the close rapport among students and teachers which small classes help to form. The average num- ber of students per class for both programs is 15. A major difference, however, lies in the fact that the great majority of RC instructors are professors as opposed to TAs. The op- portunity for students to come in close contact with their professors is rare anywhere on campus. RC Director John Mersereau -said this closeness between teacher and pupil is one of the more unique features of the Residential College. "It is an advantage to anyone studying who doesn't want to be anonymous," Mersereau said. RC STUDENTS are graded on a pass- fail basis for the first two years. Later, they may opt for traditional grades. An RC "pass" includes a written evaluation which is a personal report by the professor on a student's academic accomplishments. Though evaluations have long been criticized for being too subjective, RC faculty mem- bers see them as a clearer way 'to present what the student has done. Aside from the living requirement, RC students, who number about 650, must meet LSA requirements, com- plete a freshman seminar (equivalent to Composition 125),} become "proficient" in a foreign language (ac- tually a more strict requirement than LSA) and participate in an "arts prac- ticum," such as taking part in a play or belonging to a group of singers. Again, the key idea is involvement. According to Mersereau the stringent RC language requirement is a problem for many students. "THE LANGUAGE requirement is a bugaboo for many people because it's one of the toughest in the country," Mersereau said. ' The RC is picking up in enrollment following a sharp decline in the early seventies. Originally, many students had to be turned away from the college due to lack of space. Now, anyone ac- cepted to LSA may be admitted to RC. Mersereau said the shift is due to recent student demands for a more defined education. "We are especially concerned with humanities-liberal ar- ts education as opposed to *a pre- vocational education," Mersereau said. Neither program professes to sui9 it- self to the socially complacent student. "We don't encourage people- to come here and stay in their rooms lay and study," Skandalis said. RADIO ANN ARBOR 42 ..- PICK UP YOUR FREE COPY TODAY PICK UP LOCATIONS: 1. Dalton Bookstore (Cliff Notes) Briarwood Mall 2. Hudson's Briarwood Malt 3. Fischer Hardware 221 E. Washington 4. Ann Arbor Bank and Trust Corner of Main 8 Huron S. University Cellar 530 S. State 6. Campus Bike & Toy 514 E. William St. 7. Huron Valley National Bank 125 S. Fifth 8. Domino's Pizza AlILocations 9. Inter-Cooperative Council 4002 Michigan Union 10. Highland Appliance 21405 Trolley Dr. 11. Pizza Bob's 814 S. State 12. Briarwood Merchant's Association Briarwood Mall 13. Follett's Michigan Book Store 322S. State 14. Boersma Travel 12-14 Nickels Arcade 15. Albert's Copying 535 E. 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