OCTOBER 14. 2009 | THE MEREDITH HERALD | PAOE-7
CAMPUS'-”'^
DON’T PARDON MY FRENCH
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Juli,a Houtchings
Contributing Writer
The ever-popular saying “par
don my French” warns the listener
of the use of bad language in the
speaker's upcoming phrase, but
is often repeated in a light-hearted
manner. Meredith College, on the
other hand, seems to be pardon
ing its French quite literally by
eliminating the option of a BA in
French. Although the Board of
Trustees will not meet to make
the final decision until Friday,
October 23, certain members of
the Meredith community are quite
adamant about kicking the major to
the curb. Meanwhile, Francophile
students are popping up all over
campus to voice their outrage in
many different avenues. Several
students in the French program
created a bilingual student peti
tion to "show their admiration and
enthusiasm” for the language and
to “protest against the elimination"
of the major here at Meredith.
Although originally circulated
only by a handful of French stu
dents, the petition quickly grabbed
the attention of faculty and admin
istration across the campus, par
ticularly after some results became
public. Between 10am Monday,
September 21, and 2pm Tuesday,
September 22, the petition had
more than 250 signatures and
now claims around 300. Students
say the petition will continue to
circulate across campus until the
final decision is made. In addition,
the Table Frangaise has recom
menced its weekly discussions in
Belk Dining Hall and encourages
students at all levels to participate.
Le Cercle Frangais, the French
Club, has several activities already
on the agenda for this semester.
Meredith’s chapter of Pi Delta Phi,
the National French Honor society,
will induct three more members
this month, Several French majors
are also planning to spend spring
2010 abroad in France - two in
Angers and one in Strasbourg
- where they will immerse thetri-
selves not only in French studies,
but also in French culture. These
experiences will ultimately balance
their education and become appli
cable to nearly any career industry,
including international relations,
education, business, and law.
However, current students are --
not the opiy ones outraged by
the desire to eliminate the major.
Letters of support from Meredith
alumnae have streamed into the
Foi'eign Languages and Literatures
department since August when
information about the 11 majors
under review was leaked to the
public. Sharon RInker Johnson,
’84, wrote that'her French studies
crossed into nearly every aspect of
her education at Meredith: “public
speaking while lecturing the class
on a particular facet of French
grammar, research techniques
while researching current literary
publications for a senior project,
cognitive improvements while
trying to present creative projects
for professors, and discovery of
French masters while trying to
master hues and shades in art
classes;”
Her experience with French
accurately reflects most students'
view of the French program at Mer
edith - even for current students.
“I’m being challenged in the sense
that I have to use what I have
previously learned in conjunction
with the copious amounts of new
knowledge I have received here to
further my French skills,” Kaylee
Dyson, '13, states. Tor me, my
French class [with Dr. Machelidon]
has furthered my understanding '
that this foreign language is incred
ibly useful around the vi/orld and
has encouraged my desire to study
abroad in France."
Kristen Flora, ’08, majored in
French and ultimately decided to
write her Honors thesis on im
migration after learning so much
about it from the media. Writing en
tirely in French, Flora researched
both Mexican immigration and
Algerian-French immigration and
discovered numerous connections
between the two. She refers to
her thesis as a “truly fulfilling and
enlightening project.” Another re
cent alumna, Lindsey Cooke, '09,
has received recognition from the
director and curator of the British
Museum for her contribution to the'
academic and Francophone world.
A graduate of both the French
and History departments, Cooke
worked with John Kincheloe in
the library to translate a Chatelain
engraving that dates back to the
early 1700s that is the only known
English translation in existence.
Approved by the Board of Trustees
in October 2005, Vision 2010 is the
College’s five-year plan that “seeks
to create academic programs and
a campus culture that prepare
students for their lives as engaged
global citizens and leaders. To
achieve that vision, the College
must attract students, faculty and
staff who bring diverse talents,
ideas, aspirations and cultures to
campus." The elimination of the
French major, or the other ten
majors under review for that mat
ter, contradicts the very goals the
College set forth in this plan. Vi
sion 2010 is supposed to CREATE
academic programs, not ELIMI
NATE them. Eliminating majors at
Meredith, particularly those in the
arts and humanities, robs the Mer
edith community of such rich and
diverse cultures these majors can
provide. Furthemiore, Vision 2010
is to establish Meredith College as
a women’s college known for its
academically rigorous and trans
formative education. The French
program is renowned for its chal
lenging courses and passionate
and caring faculty who maintain
very high expectations for students
in all levels of the language.
Alumnae of the French major at
Meredith are thus emerging as the
Very engaged global citizens and
leaders that the plan envisioned.
It is evident that current students
and alumnae of the French major
are making their marks in the
worid, both personally and profes
sionally, and because the number
of students interested in the major
is. rising dramatically, this positive
impact could ultimately become
more and more profound. Since
June 2009 alone, the number of
French majors at Meredith has
increased by more than 30 per
cent, and even more students are
ask gigi
Dear Gigi,
I am a freshman. My family lives about
ten minutes from Meredith. I find myself
going home every weekend. I want to stay
on campus and hangout out, but whgt can
I do at Meredith and/or in Raleigh?
Sincerely,
Can’tDecide
Dear Can’t Decide.
I know it is very hard as a freshman to stay on campus after school lets out
on Friday, especially when your parents live close by, but I really recommend
staying at Meredith College for the weekend.. Meredith can be a fun but quiet
place on the weekend, and there is always something going on in Raleigh. The
Campus Activities Board is getting ready to do a day trip to King’s Dominion on
October 24,2009, and the members, of this organization are always trying to
figure out what type of activities the campus would like to see on the weekends;
if you have any ideas, go to Student Leadership and Service in 2nd Cate, talk
to Cheryl Jenkins, and she will point you in the right direction. Also, the Office
of Student Leadership and Service tries to put out a list of things happening on
campus and in Raleigh,, so they are a great resource for ideas. When NC’SU has
a home game, you can try to gather up a grcHjp of friends, especially those from
St^te, and go tailgating. Check out MyNC.com, and you can click on the events
link and see everything going on across the triangle. There are many options if
you want to stay on campus for the weekend, and all you have to do is ask!
Sincerely,
Gigi