Over the past several months, Brock has engaged in a Senate-led process to reimagine the University\u2019s degree architecture in a way that will prioritize student choice, flexibility, accessibility and customization during their studies.<\/p>\n
The culmination of this work is a new Brock University Degree Framework Policy<\/a>, which was rigorously discussed and approved by Senate on May 27.<\/p>\n In support of the new degree architecture framework, Brock University Students\u2019 Union President Aaliyah Ariella says, \u201cOverall, it\u2019s not about the quantity of classes but rather a focus on the quality \u2014 how degrees are structured and how the content is delivered to best equip students with the knowledge they need to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n The development of the new degree framework was led by a small working group that included Arja Vainio-Mattila, Provost and Vice-President, Academic; Geraldine Jones, Registrar and Associate Vice-President, Enrolment; and Larry Savage, Professor of Labour Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences and a Brock Senator.<\/p>\n Over the past year, this working group consulted widely across the University and met with all six teaching Faculties and many academic units and engaged in several lively generative discussions at Senate. Consultation also took place with the wider community, including students, faculty and staff as well as alumni, employer and industry partners and graduate schools. Overall, the feedback has reflected an increasing desire and support for allowing students to chart more individualized and diverse academic pathways.<\/p>\n Under the new framework:<\/p>\n These principles are aimed at breaking through Canadian Higher Education\u2019s \u201csacred scaffolding<\/a>,\u201d and will be the foundational building blocks for Brock students in the future \u2014 in determining how their classes are scheduled, how their credits are defined, how their grades are awarded and, ultimately, how Brock degrees are distinguished.<\/p>\n Vainio-Mattila notes that while educational scaffolding is often considered sacred or fixed, it is ready for thoughtful, deliberate and meaningful change that puts students first.<\/p>\n \u201cStudents are at the heart of everything we do, and the academic structures we have in place need to prioritize their experiences above all,” she says. \u201cThe new degree architecture at Brock is at its core about providing students with the choice and flexibility to tailor their degrees in a way that suits their own individual and unique interests, goals and aspirations. It is about supporting student curiosity, creativity and courage.<\/p>\n \u201cI would also like to extend a special thank you to Larry and Geraldine as members of the working group for their invaluable expertise, knowledge and assistance in making this possible,\u201d says Vainio-Mattila.<\/p>\n The new degree framework directly flows from one of the key priorities identified in Brock\u2019s 2023 to 2028 Academic Plan<\/a> to be more flexible, accessible and customizable. Students will be able to assemble their own degrees by combining honours majors, majors and minors as either focused earners from years one through four or by taking a more exploratory approach to their higher education journey.<\/p>\n \u201cCurrent and prospective students are raising their expectations for both quality and flexibility of academic programs,\u201d says Jones. \u201cAs we align our offerings with growing interest in customizable learning, the new degree architecture plays an important role in that work.\u201d<\/p>\n The new architecture is built on a modular design with standardized credit structures to make degree pathways clearer and easier to navigate for students, while at the same time providing flexibility for program and disciplinary differences in a way that safeguards academic standards.<\/p>\n\n