We appreciate the issues the Northeastern News brought forward in its Nov. 2 issue concerning our cooperative education program.
One article focused on co-op opportunities and the prevailing six-month model. Students can and do incorporate less than six-month opportunities in various majors.
These are experiences developed as six-month co-ops with two different positions or a position for less than six months combined with additional learning activities.
Prior to semester conversion, the need for co-op models other than six months was recognized; the Theatre Depart-ment proposed that its majors do co-op during the four-month summer stock season, and this proposal was adopted.
Subsequent to the semester conversion plan, the School of Pharmacy requested, and was approved for, a four-month calendar that was deemed best suited to meet curricular, clinical and co-op considerations.
These changes reflect the recognition that curricular development should be, and is, an on-going process, and that students’ needs and expectations change.
In this context, the Provost has indicated that if a program within the College of Arts and Sciences presents a rationale for adopting a different model, he is open to considering such an option. Finally, the specific concerns mentioned in the article are under review.
We note here, too, that the University calendar is an issue under active discussion by a committee appointed by the Faculty Senate in consultation with the Provost that includes representatives from faculty, students and relevant administrative functions. This committee is expected to report this spring to the full Faculty Senate.
Regarding the International Co-op Program, as the article noted, an unanticipated medical leave has caused hardships to a number of students interested in this option.
We have made significant progress developing positions for students seeking spring international co-ops. At present, all but five students have or are awaiting a decision from employers.
Plus, we are aggressively seeking placements for the five remaining students. The Co-op Division is encouraged by the progress to date the response from international employers.
Further, we are excited about the relatively new vision to expand international co-ops as a means of providing a co-op and an international experience at the same time.
We recognize that making this a significant option for our students is an ambitious undertaking, but we are firmly committed to doing this.
We are working to expand the program by capitalizing on our base of domestic co-op employers who have a global presence, and on the 15 academic institutions with whom we have built strategic partnerships.
We also are actively reconnecting with our international alums to secure co-ops in their countries. We look forward to a more robust international co-op program and we appreciate the support received from across the campus and our employer network to help make this a reality.
– Lynn W. Lyford is the vice president of Cooperative Education Services.
