While the possibility of presenting Latin diplomas to General Studies students has been debated for years, the initiative is now unlikely to follow through.
Members of the General Studies Student Council have confirmed that, after a long process, diplomas for GS will likely remain in English—unlike most of the undergraduate schools, which have always had Latin diplomas. The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences also has English diplomas.
In November of 2008, GSSC delivered a petition with 500 signatures to GS Dean Peter Awn to change GS diplomas from English to Latin. When the decision finally reached Awn, he said that the school would not pursue Latin diplomas despite the popularity of the initiative, according to GSSC members.
Spokespeople for General Studies said that Awn’s decision is forthcoming, but that he would prefer not to comment on the issue until he has been able to update the student population.
Katherine Edwards, GS and president of GSSC, has previously said that Latin diplomas would be one of the top three priorities in her presidency, but she confirmed recently that the administration will most likely not support the initiative.
“It’s not something our administration is going to approve of,” she said. “It’s a disappointment after seeing all the work pushed forth, but at least we got an honest answer. They said this [English diplomas] was a core belief of GS as a modern school.”
Matan Ariel, a student at the Graduate School of Business and a University senator for GSSC from 2003 to 2005, jump-started the movement a few years ago. He said that students’ lack of awareness about the issue is a key problem.
He said that students did not understand the reason for this discrepancy, adding, “The problem is that most students don’t know that the diplomas are even in Latin ... Having diplomas in Latin is a powerful symbol, but there are still challenges that GS faces.”
GS students expressed varied opinions on the issue, with some expressing a desire for Latin diplomas and others arguing that the university’s funds should be used for other purposes.
“My personal preference would be Latin,” Matthew Bishop, GS, said. “They [the administration] have told us we don’t have a choice, but I don’t see it as a big deal. I’d prefer Latin.”
Aurelia Ansah, GS, said, “Maybe Latin is more prestigious ... but if the diplomas have the same value in the job market, I really don’t care.”
Adrienne Giffen, GS, said that GS students have other, more immediate concerns, such as financial aid.
The debate is also tied to a longstanding discussion on how to better unite the undergraduate schools.
“Interest is that GS students feel like they belong to the larger Columbia community,” Jose Robledo-Trujillo, GS and University senator for GSSC, said. “A Latin diploma might accomplish this. Lack of interest is from administration. They are interested in unification, but they don’t think new diplomas will answer this.”
“I do feel like not having diplomas in Latin affects GS’ relationship with the other schools,” Damion DiGrazia, GS, said.
Others said there is no relationship between the language of diplomas and GS’ interaction with the other schools.
“The diplomas make no difference on how we integrate with the greater student body,” Bishop said.
Some students from other undergraduate schools were not aware of the debate. Nicolas Biekert, SEAS ’13, said, “Having the diploma in English or Latin would be fine. It could be in French for all I care. I just want the diploma.”
But Robledo-Trujillo said that Latin diplomas may be a step backwards for General Studies. Speaking of his school’s uniqueness, he said, “It makes us seem more progressive than the rest of the university … The school is starting its own tradition. To change diplomas would let go of that tradition,” he said. Further, it could be a costly endeavor, he said. “Standardizing the diplomas would unify the school as a whole, but when it comes to getting housing, financial aid, those things are a little more important.” Edwards estimated that the change to Latin could cost one to two thousand dollars.
Ultimately, Edwards said, “It’s a different diploma, but it is the same degree, and that’s what we have to emphasize to students.”
COMMENTS
Comments will be moderated in accordance with our comment policy