By Samana Bhatta
Staff Writer‘12
Current school policy allows no more than 21 credits per semester.
Are you planning on double majoring? Did you go through the course catalog to see if you can earn enough credits to complete your studies on time? Well, you have to remind yourself that you cannot take more than 18 credits. Generally, one class fulfills 3 credits. If you do decide on taking an overload of credits, you must go through a process that requires you to fill out a specially marked application and have the request approved by your academic advisor and the academic dean. And of course, you have to pay $839 per credit if you are a day session student and $612 per credit if you are an evening session student. However, you cannot take more than 21 credits, no matter what.
Joshua James, the president of class of 2012, thinks it should be entirely in the student’s hand to decide how many credits they want to take. “They have their own judgment,” said James. According to him, taking 21 credits shouldn’t be called an overload. In his words, “After a semester or two in college, students should be allowed to take as many credits as they want. It is their money anyway.” He thinks it is a disadvantage to capable students.
On the other hand, Chris Zullo, a Resident Assistant in his last year at college, thinks differently. He is in absolute compliance with the college policy. He said, “If you want to give your 100 percent in all the classes you take, six is the limit. If you push yourself, you could probably do seven.” Chris doesn’t see how it is possible to handle more classes than that. “The dean does make exceptions considering your situation. If you are graduating and need only one more class, they may reconsider the policy” said Zullo. He thinks it is in the best interest of the students that the policy was made.
Even though the students have varied views about the policy, Dr. Richard Petriello, the Academic Dean, and Dr. Anna Cicirelli, Dean of Juniors and Seniors and the Associate Academic Dean, are convinced that these policies help students shape a better future. “The policy is not meant to cause any hassle. It is for the students,” said Cicerelli. Both Dr. Cicirelli and Dr. Petriello agree on the point that taking too many classes affects a student’s Grade Point Average. “We want the students to be able to do the best they can. The policy is important to keep up with the rigor and validity of a course,” said Dr. Petriello. Dr. Cicirealli added, “Taking too many classes can prove detrimental.” They want the students to identify their best move and act wisely. “We have made a few rare exceptions when students are allowed more than 21 credits. That depends on their need and their capabilities. A student must have a decent GPA in order to even take 21 credits,” Dr. Cicirelli added.
Dr. Petriello is concerned about some students not feeling as challenged with their courses as they should be. He urges them to go and talk to him about it. But, to my question regarding what he thinks about some students who view this policy as unreasonable, he stated, “It is all about age versus exuberance.” According to both Dr. Petriello and Dr. Cicirelli, these policies are made to aid students towards betterment. “Most other colleges have similar credit policy,” they said. They want the students to be able to participate in various on-going college activities. “It is just not possible to take too many classes and do well in them if students are involved in various school activities. We want them to learn more and get involved more. Moreover, some students even have jobs and internships to take care of,” Dr. Cicirelli pointed out. So, they have no doubt that it is for the students that they have these policies and want every student to realize that and perform well.
Some students think this policy is absolutely fine, some don’t really care and others do not agree with it. Whatever it is, this still remains a question of debate.
