By AMANDA MEADER
Staff Writer
 

That is the question members of the Goals 2005 committee have been asking themselves as they work to change and improve Bates College.

As the only current student member of the committee, Kate Perry '98 explained that liberal arts colleges need to make sure they maintain an important role in the future of education. She cited the rising cost of a liberal arts education, as well as the option for students to take classes over the internet, as reasons why liberal arts colleges must be wary of extinction.

The Goals 2005 Committee is aiming to improve all aspects of Bates College and is accomplishing this massive goal in several phases.

The committee is comprised of various faculty and staff members, including President Donald Harward and several deans.

In January, their "Vision for Bates" was established and presented in college publications. This vision stated that Bates will remain a "distinctive learning community" that honors academic achievement, encourages expression of individuality, highlights responsibilities of students and alumni, and values differences.

The college plans to build on programs already in existence, and find ways to make the school and its graduates more "distinguished."

According to a recent report delivered by the committee, the priorities set for 1990 have largely been met. However, the committee still feels that "the challenges ahead are direct and sobering. Financial, educational, conceptual, demographic, technological, and cultural forces and issues will require that we continue to meet needs even greater and more difficult to accomplish. We will have to attend to the new, even as we reinforce the current qualities of Bates, constantly renewing their fundamental strengths."

The report contains six themes. The first is a plan to create a diverse compilation of programs and offerings. This includes plans to achieve a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, to offer students more opportunities to intern, and to "provide funding to increase the presence of visitors with specific expertise on campus."

The goal of theme 2 is for Bates Students to "be full partners in this community of learners and to take greater responsibility for their critical thinking and behavior." Part of theme 2 also addresses racial diversity. The goal is to increase the number of students of color to 25 percent of the student body by the year 2005.

Theme 3 focuses on learning, emphasizes that there are various ways in which students can learn. There are plans to help advisors and faculty members evaluate student needs, support more students being engaged in service activities, and develop new ways of encouraging informal student discussion groups.

Education is more than acquiring knowledge for knowledge's sake - so theme 4 states. The committee feels that education is important in changing students' lives and helping them develop a connection to the world.

This theme includes goals to get alumni more involved in students' career planning, and to make a greater commitment to being an environmentally friendly college campus.

Are you worried about affording college? Theme 5 focuses on this concern, as the goal is to carefully manage "finances, resources, facilities and the environment."

The sixth and final theme is a step to engage more people in the efforts that "advance the college's mission. This will include developing the college work ethic toward greater flexibility," implementing the priorities set by the Goals 2005 committee, and "supporting the careers of faculty and staff."

Numerous other objectives are outlined on the agenda of the Goals 2005 Committee. The committee said it appreciates and encourages input from the Bates community. It held an open workshop earlier this month to elicit response.

Subsequent opportunities for students to be a part of the College's planning for the future will arise this fall.