WHAT IS FORUM? . . . .
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FORUM IS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT
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designed as an invitation to the discovery of hidden interests and talents. Students and faculty are encouraged to participate fully and enthusiastically in the many opportunities FORUM provides for extra?classroom learning at Berkshire Community College.
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is a required, non?credit, general education component of each degree program and a graduation requirement of the College.
The FORUM Coordinator, together with the Forum Committee, is responsible for the planning and scheduling of all on-campus Forum events.
PURPOSE
FORUM has been introduced as a means of extending cultural and intellectual horizons, of enhancing the spirit of community on campus, and of encouraging direct participation in out?of?class life. Forums take place at BCC on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in K-111, some week-day afternoons prior to evening classes, on Pre-Registration Day, and some Saturdays. Students are given FORUM credit for many other campus events, such as those sponsored by DIVERSITY and GIRO. The College monthly Calendar indicates with a bold "F" events conferring FORUM credit. Student Government members are accorded one FORUM credit per semester for their service, as is any student who plans and presents a Forum. Students are strongly urged to begin meeting the requirement during the first semester in the Degree program, if not sooner, and to choose events that provide diverse experiences as they pursue their education.
APPLICABILITY
The FORUM requirement applies to degree?seeking students who have begun their studying at the College on or since September 1, 1978. Students matriculating at BCC with a Bachelor's degree from other institutions are exempt from the FORUM requirement.
NATURE OF REQUIREMENT
For eligible students, documented attendance at twelve FORUM?validated events is a necessary condition for degree conferral. These attendances are normally accomplished during the first year at Berkshire Community College but may be satisfied at any time before the completion of the degree. The total collection of FORUM offerings is designed to make possible a wide range of extra?class experiences. In the infrequent case when a FORUM program is actually substituted for a regular class meeting, members of that class are not awarded a FORUM attendance for the event.
FORUM ALTERNATIVES
In consideration of the extracurricular obligations of our student body, the College permits students to obtain credit for attending off-campus events that qualify as educational (maximum of 6) and for viewing videos held on reserve at the Circulation desk of Jonathan Edwards Library and at the South County Campus (maximum of 4). These options are designed primarily for those students who cannot be present for "live" FORUMS. Visits to museums, lectures, concerts, plays, and natural and historical sites must be at least an hour in length, and the student must bring in documented evidence of attendance, e.g., a ticket, program, or some other evidence of attendance, with student name and identification number written on it, or mail them to the FORUM records clerk in the Registrar's Office (Field 111) within 90 days of the event. These alternative events must be approved at the Registrar's Office or by the Forum Coordinator, preferably in advance. See list of allowed and non-allowed events appended (and online).
APPEALS
For events whose eligibility for FORUM credit may be in doubt, students may submit an Appeal Form (available at the Registrar's Office or online), stating their rationale for why the event qualifies as cultural enrichment, intellectual development, citizenship awareness, community building or a self discovery experience worthy of FORUM credit, ideally prior to the last semester of study for the degree. The Appeal Form, with the student's faculty advisor signature certifying that the student has discussed it with him/her, is to be mailed to the Registrar's Office or the Forum Coordinator and will then be forwarded to the FORUM Committee which will make the final decision on credit
FORUM RECORDS
Students may check their official FORUM records at the Registrar's Office in F-111 (ext. 2136), or by consulting their degree audit available on WebAdvisor.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Students should consult the FORUM links on the BCC Website for semester Forum schedules and off-campus recommendations. Free or discounted tickets for local arts and cultural events are available at the Student Life Office and the Berkshire Athenaeum (as well as many local libraries).
Frances M. Feinermann
Dean of Academic Affairs
6/23/2008
