Chowan — The Four-Year College
The college is now moving toward
admitting its first junior class in
the fall of 1992 and graduating its
first senior class in the spring of 1994.
The decision has been made that the
following four-year majors will be
offered initially; Education (Pre
school through middle), Liberal Stud
ies, Business Administration, Reli
gion, English, Printing Management,
Commercial Art/Studio Art, Recrea
tion, and Science. It is anticipated
that additional majors will be added
within a few years.
“The coUege will also retain many
of its two-year programs, and will
continue to award the associate de
gree as well as the bachelor’s de
gree,” states Dr. Jerry Jackson. “Some
associate degree programs are being
deleted, especially some that have
been seriously under-enrolled.”
According to Dr. Jackson, curric
ula are being developed for the four-
year programs. Several of these have
"As of this date,
practically all of the
academic policies have
been reviewed and
modified. A core
curriculum has been
approved for all students
entering the four-year
program at Chowan."
—Dr. B. Franklin Lowe
already been developed in tentative
form by the faculty in the appropriate
departments, and the others are in the
process of development. Also, a core
curriculum has been developed, ap-
Administration gives
hopes, dreams for college
proved by the faculty, and approved
by the Board of Trustees.
“The core curriculum consists of
those courses that will be required of
all students, regardless of major, and
represent the kinds of learning experi
ences that the faculty feel are needed
for a truly educated person,” explains
Dr. Jackson.
In the early stages of its work, the
transition comminee appointed a num
ber of sub-committees of the faculty
to review academic pwlicies and rec
ommend changes for four-year status.
“As of this date, practically all of
the academic policies have been re
viewed and modified. Throughout this
whole process, very careful attention
has been given to the rights of the
faculty, the administration, and the
Board of Trustees with respect to the
manner in which changes in policy
are approved,” states Dr. Frank Lowe,
vice president for academic affairs.
“Attention is also being given to
personnel policies. For example, the
departmental chairpersons and the
transition committee are giving very
careful attention to a proposed system
of faculty rank to include procedures
for awarding rank and tenure.”
Dr. Jackson stresses that through
out the process, both faculty/staff and
trustees are being kept informed of
proposed changes and have been in
volved to the maximum extent pos
sible. The accrediting agency of the
college, the Commission on Colleges
of the Southern Association of Col
leges and Schools has also been ap
prised of the proposed change in status.
“We anticipate that the accrediting
agency will send the college a Candi
dacy Committee in the spring of 1991,”
states Dr. Jackson. “The college is
working toward the goal of obtaining
accreditation as a four-year institution
at the earliest permissible time, which
is the year in which the first class is
graduated. A great amount of work
has been accomplished thus far, but
there remains much to be done.”
Chowan has a ’can do’ attitude
"The mission of the college
as I envision it is that in all
we do in the training of
minds, we do in a
Christian context."
—President Jerry Jackson
Following a ‘retreat’ of the ad
ministrative vice presidents, the
administration called a meeting of fac
ulty and staff and each departmental
vice president outlined his personal
viewpoints on the recently adopted
Purpose of the college and Institu
tional Goals.
The president of the college pointed
out there are needs among the colle
giate family. He noted as we moved
forward in the four-year transition,
more emphasis needs to be put on
goals rather than methods.
He stressed financial viability is
very important, but finances are the
gas in the car, not the car. A clearer
vision of who we are and where we
are going is needed, and there is a
need to open doors of communica
tion that have been closed or misun
derstood in the past.
“My overall view of the mission of
the college as I envision it is that in
all we do in the training of minds
(both young and old) we do within a
Christian context,” said resident
Jackson. “In aU future decisions, we
need to always ask the question, “How
will this decision relate to the mis
sion of the institution?”
"1 envision some unique programs
like freshman experience, literacy in
use of computers, graphic arts, com
mercial art, senior internships, over
seas programs, as well as a balanced
liberal arts program. I envision an
athletic program that can compete
with our opponents and at the same
time be compatible with the academic
standards of the institution. I envi
sion not only academic training, but
the social and spiritual development
of our snidents. Students need to be
put first and treated with respect”
Dr. Jackson emphasized, "It should
be our goal to make a positive influ
ence on the lives of all students who
enter our doors."
The vice presidents each shared their
visions for the college emphasizing
commitment to excellence, service to
students, financial viability, and sup
port for the purpose and mission of the
college.
For Chowan to make the transition
to a four-year institution a suc
cessful one, the idea of “Chowan—
The Four Year College” must be com
municated now, was the message fac
ulty and staff received at a recent cam
pus-wide meeting of the college com
munity.
A representative of the Atlanta-based
marketing firm, Communicorp, met
with the employees of Chowan in May
and oudined an iniMvative plan for mar
keting the four-year status to prospec-
Purpose of the College
Chowan College, shaped by Christian ideals, endeavors to provide quality
higher education and to help students gain a philosophy of life which will lead
to their development as responsible citizens of the world community.
The college seeks to fulfill its purpose by: (1) employing faculty and staff
who are compatible with the college's statement of purpose; (2) offering
instruction in the standard academic disciplines for those students who plan
to earn baccalaureate or associate degrees; (3) providing career instruction,
on a liberal arts foundation, for those who complete their formal education
with diplomas or associate degrees; and (4) striving to meet the personal
needs of students through academic, social, and spiritual counseling.
INSTITUTIONAL GOALS
To provide a qualified faculty and staff that is compatible with the
purpose of the college.
To mold all curricula so as to include a foundation of general education
courses (the humanities and/or fme arts, the social and/or behavorial
sciences, the natural sciences and/or mathematics) enabling students to
develop an understanding of their cultural and physical environment.
To provide students with a strong program of academic advisement and
support, and to provide academic, social, and spiritual counseling.
To promote throughout the campus an atmosphere that is conducive to
study and learning.
To provide requisite courses and instruction for the baccalaureate or
associate degree.
To furnish students in career programs with requisite skills and training.
To evaluate continually the educational offerings of the college in terms of
appropriateness, need, and quality.
To ensure that completion requirements in all curricula include competence
in reading, writing, oral communications, and fundamental mathematical
skills.
To encourage students to develop intellectually, socially, emotionally,
physically, spiritually, and morally.
10. To encourage students to think logically and rationally, and to develop
problem-solving skills.
11. To provide a varied program of extra- and co-curricular activities for
students and the community at large.
12. To provide an atmosphere which promotes community service and
involvement.
1.
2.
9.
Chowan
"Chowan can be positioned
as a nurturing environment
where students move beyond
’can’t’ to embrace 'can’."
—Fatd Crane, Communicorp
tive students, guidance counselors,
parents, and general public.
Several suggestions were made by
the marketing group as Chowan
reshapes its mission and plans. Mar
keting possibilities for Chowan were
outlined for establishing an identity as
Chowan— The Four Year College.
It was recommended the coUege
must re-educate high school guidance
counselors and develop a new aware
ness of Chowan in the non-traditional
student market (for example, one tar
get population might be young work
ers interested in going back to school
to pursue a degree).
“We must create for Chowan new
recruitment publications with power
ful and direct appeal,” states Patti
Crane, vice president for Communi
corp.
“Chowan College can be positioned
as a regionally competitive college,
especially creating new significance
in the Tidewater Albemarle recruit
ment area, building on the strength of
the solid reputation Chowan has al
ready enjoys there.”
Crane cited a number of strengths
within the coUege system, as well as
weaknesses. Major points of her pres
entation included the strength that
Chowan is a good place to mature, to
strengthen one’s self-esteem, and to
acquire a solid education. Chowan can
t>e positioned as an academic commu
nity sustained by lasting friendships
and loyal commitments; Chowan can
be positioned as a nuturing environ
ment where students move beyond
“can’t” and embrace “can”.
Crane emphasized the catch-phrase
of “1 Can” and remarked Chowan has
proven to be a good starting point for
thousands of students who leave the
college believing “they can” accom
plish their goals.
Today — Summer, 1991— PAGE 7