Colorado College Takes Nontraditional Approach to Liberal Arts
annika selz, colorado college, education, liberal arts, nontraditional approach, outdoor environment,
Yell “toga party” in a crowd of students at Colorado College and they’re likely to lecture you on its history‚ proper Latin name (togati or gens togatoa) and the colors commonly worn to distinguish between profession and classes during early Roman society.
That’s not to say that students here don’t know how to have a good time. At this college nestled at the base of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs‚ learning is fun and hands-on‚ and most methods normally used by students to blow off steam are abandoned. In many cases‚ all-night parties are replaced by mountain-biking trips.
“ Being so close to the mountains‚ a lot of us ski and hike. Most of the students here prefer the outdoors‚” says sophomore Annika Selz‚ 19‚ from Iowa City‚ Iowa.
In fact‚ Colorado College’s scenic surroundings help raise the academic bar by contributing to a series of non-conventional course offerings that foster education even outside the classroom.
“ Because of our environment and scenic location‚ our classmen can study a subject‚ such as botany‚ in the field for an entire month right here in our own backyard‚” says Lisa Ellis‚ director of external relations.
Colorado College has carved a distinguishable niche in the world of academia. The school was ranked 29 out of 217 national liberal arts colleges by U. S. News & World Report. The Washington Post named the college one of 100 colleges that deserve a second look. Even teen magazine YM applauded the university as one of the “seven coolest colleges.”
“ We operate a one-of-a-kind and distinctive educational program here‚” Ellis says. “We like to call it ‘value-added.’ ”
Part of this value-added education comes in the form of a highly successful block plan‚ in which students concentrate on one course at a time for three-and-a-half weeks. Students are able to complete a semester’s worth of material before continuing on to the next block.
“ I eat‚ breathe and drink one subject before moving on to the next‚” Selz says “It’s been great.”
Parents love it‚ too.
“ Mine are really thrilled‚” Selz says. “They feel it’s worth the extra money.”
Such praise for the program is due in part to the mini-vacations and additional time it affords students who want to participate in extracurricular activities.
“ One of the biggest benefits is that we get a half-week break between block classes to just do whatever we want‚” Selz says.
Ellis recalls her days as a student at the university and the educational freedom she was allowed.
“ I created my own major back then‚” she says. Ellis majored in Russian studies and‚ in most cases‚ was the only student in her class.
But you don’t have to create your own field of study to get personal attention from faculty at Colorado College. The school boasts low student-instructor ratios – in most courses‚ a maximum of 25-30 students.
But the classroom isn’t the only place Colorado College students receive an education. The school encourages active participation in the Colorado Springs community through a series of volunteer programs.
In fact‚ the college recently added a community service component to its curriculum. Called the New Student Orientation Community Service program‚ it encourages all incoming freshman to volunteer for various community service projects.
“ We’re the only liberal arts college for 1‚000 miles‚” Ellis says. “It really helps define our character.
Story by Farrah Austin
Photo by Theresa Montgomery
