The report lists these courses as “introductory,” but Astronomy 145 instructor John P. Huchra said that the 15 undergraduates in his spring-semester class are primarily juniors and seniors.
Huchra, who is the Doyle professor of cosmology, said he was “a tad surprised” to find that Astronomy 145 was among the “introductory courses” highlighted by yesterday’s report.
But Huchra, who also teaches a freshman seminar, praised the report’s advising reform plan.
“One of the big issues I see at the University is that there has to be a lot more faculty involvement in advising first- and second-year undergraduates,” he said.
ADVISE AND CONSENT
According to the report, every freshman considering a natural science concentration should be assigned to an academic advisor who is an expert in that student’s field of interest,
The proposal would mark a major departure from the current system in which residential proctors—many of whom have no academic background in the natural sciences—assume the bulk of advising responsibilities for freshmen.
Franklin said that the advising proposal, “if it works, could be great.” But she added, “I’m not sure when these things are going to happen. I think that depends on who is chosen to make these things happen.”
The report calls for the formation of a Transition Committee, including WISE task force chair and Higgins Professor of Natural Sciences Barbara J. Grosz, to start the implementation process this summer.
Administrators at the Freshman Dean’s Office, which coordinates first-year academic advising, did not return repeated requests for comment.
CAMP HARVARD?
Monday’s report also calls on the Harvard College Dean’s Office to take a more active role in helping undergraduates find summertime lab jobs.
The task force recommends that one of the upperclass Houses be used as a summer dorm for students conducting research in Harvard labs. Franklin said the centralized housing could be “really fun” for students and that the dorm could host evening events teaching the “tools” of science research.
With summer housing centralized, the University will be better able to provide undergraduates—especially women—safe transportation to and from lab sites in Longwood and the North Yard, according to the report.
—Staff writer Daniel J. Hemel can be reached at hemel@fas.harvard.edu.