It's been two months since we launched this website and wrote to President Mitchell about Bucknell's curriculum. At this writing, dozens of alumni and friends have signed our online petition.
We're deeply encouraged by the support we've received from the Bucknell community. At this stage, while we have not received a response from President Mitchell, we have confirmed that he has reviewed our letter and that numerous others involved with the Common Learning Agenda are in the process of reviewing it, too.
What the administration's response will be and when we'll get one is uncertain; we will keep in contact with them to monitor progress. We are hopeful our letter and petition will initiate discussion of the role that alumni can--and, we believe, should--play in the formulation of the new curriculum. With that in mind, we optimistically await their response.
What can you do to keep things moving forward? I can answer that in a single word: networking. The future of Bucknell is a more-than-worthy reason to get back in touch with that old roommate or friend. Give them a call and tell them what we're up to. Ask them to look at the website.
If more alumni and friends find out what today's Bucknell students can graduate without studying, they will respond--and so will the University's leadership.
Most Bucknellians I know are ambitious and busy people. It's hard to find the time--I know, believe me. But if you do the math, you know that if everyone makes just a few contacts, and those contacts in turn do the same, the cry for change will continue to grow. We can do this!
Meanwhile, the ABB Board of Directors is hard at work coming up with other ways to make our voices heard. Keep an eye on these pages in the days and weeks ahead for both those ideas and news of further progress.
Thanks for your support!
--Richard Werther '79