The Not-So-Great Loss of Our LACs

K has always touted the individual attention and personalization that its education provides. However, this freedom has only actually existed within the grounds of selecting how we fulfill the K plan’s requirements. Most of the requirements are for our own good. They force us to provide assets that will prove useful after we graduates… mostly.

The SIP provides an academic accomplishment that can be tangibly displayed by its content and depth. Experience with a second language, if not full fluency, is highly desired within the job market. Also, due to the recent economic downturn, there’s been a major call for college graduates who have sat or slept through at least 25 speakers, presentations, or anything else that qualifies.

LACs inevitably increase the number of people who show up to events that achieve LAC status, but what kind of attendants are really being garnered to these speakers and causes? It seemed as though the school was trying to root out picky eaters by insisting they take at least two bites a piece. It effectively masks student apathy, but does little else.

If only 30 students from a campus of 1800 want to see renowned speaker X then there are aspects of event promotion, or overall student enthusiasm that need to be addressed. At this stage in our academic careers we are, or should be, able to identify what we would find beneficial to our academic careers, and if it’s worth sacrificing the time and energy to attend it.

With the diversity of classes, clubs, and students at K, I’m certain there will continue to be a myriad of events, eventos, conferences, and meetings next year. The students who are genuinely interested, or just have their interests piqued, will continue to fill seats.

The K experience will finally be void of the long trudge to an event you don’t care about to fill an arbitrary requirement.