Letters to the Editor
CampusTimes
November 22 1996
Dear Editor,
One of the principles emphasized by the ULV Honors Program is the development
of critical thinking, not to be confused with unsubstantiated criticism.
It appears that the author(s) of your Nov. 15 editorial ["Honors Program
needs revision"] are unaware of this distinction. It would be enlightening
to find out exactly who these "many" students are who have allegedly
left the Honors Program because of their "dissatisfaction with the
unorganized implementation of the program itself." Enrollment in the
Honors Program has remained constant at 55 for the past several years, and
this May we anticipate graduating at least 10 students with full distinctions,
the greatest number of Honors graduates since the Program was inaugurated.
Particularly disturbing is the statement that "many students [how many?
But then again, why bother with hard data?] say that classes are a waste
of time because they are irrelevant to many majors." What appears to
be irrelevant to one's major today may well prove in the long run to be
most valuable to the quality of one's adult life.
Those students who feel that open intellectual inquiry in a number of areas
interferes with their progress toward graduation are probably not ideal
candidates for the Honors Program and should not feel constrained to remain
in it. There is, however, documented evidence that the majority of students
who choose to remain with the Honors
Program do so because they find it stimulating and beneficial. Those who
feel otherwise are invited to raise their concerns with me or with any other
Honors Committee member, and we'll be happy to listen. I urge you to come
forward, discarding the anonymity that an editorial provides, and let us
hear from you. Dialogue is a more mature approach than diatribe.
Dr. Andrea Labinger
Professor of Spanish
Honors Progam Director