Lycoming College catalog

2005·14.2 MB·English

by  Lycoming College

2005-2006 ACADEMIC CATALOG
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The Mission The Baccalaureate
Degree
The mission ofLycoming College is to
provide a distinguished baccalaureate educa-
tion in the liberal arts. This is achieved within Lycoming College is committed to the
a coeducational, supportive, residential setting principle that a liberal arts education is the
through programs that develop communica- ideal foundation for an informed and produc-
tion and critical thinking skills; foster self- tive life. The liberal arts - including the fine
awareness while increasing receptivity to new arts, the humanities, mathematics, the natural
concepts and perspectives; explore literary and and social sciences - have created the social,
scientific traditions; cultivate an aesthetic political, economic and intellectual systems
which help define contemporary existence.
sensibility; elicit social responsibility;
promote racial inclusiveness, genderequality, Therefore, it is essential that students grasp
and an appreciation ofcultural diversity; and the modes ofinquiry and knowledge associ-
produce leadership for the institutions of ated with these disciplines.
society. Each student is encouraged to Consequently, the Baccalaureate degree
develop and strengthen virtues and traits of (Bachelor ofArts or Bachelor ofScience) is
character that enable, ennoble, and emancipate conferred upon the student who has com-
the human spirit while deepening commitment pleted an educational program incorporating
to those values that undergird civilization. the two principles ofthe liberal arts known as
Fully accredited, Lycoming is a memberof distribution and concentration. The objective
the Middle States Association ofColleges and ofthe distribution principle is to insure that
Schools, and the University Senate ofThe the student achieves breadth in learning
United Methodist Church. It is a memberof through the study ofthe major dimensions of
the Association ofAmerican Colleges and human inquiry: the humanities, the social
Universities, the Pennsylvania Association of sciences, and the natural sciences. The
Colleges and Universities, the Commission for objective ofthe concentration principle is to
Independent Colleges and Universities, the provide depth oflearning through completion
National Commission on Accrediting and the ofa program ofstudy in a given discipline or
National Association ofSchools and Colleges subject area known as the major. The effect
ofThe United Methodist Church. ofboth principles is to impart knowledge,
Also, the Department ofChemistry is inspire inquiry, and encourage creative
approved by the American Chemical Society thought.
to certify upon graduation those students who
meet orexceed the requirements established
by the Society for membership. The depart-
ments ofAccounting and Business Adminis-
tration are accredited by the Association of
Collegiate Business Schools and Programs.
2(XI'i-06ACADEMICCATALOG LYCOMINGCOLLEGE
,
.
CONTENTS
Contents
/Academic Calendar. 2005-2006 2
Welcome to Lycoming 4
rhe Campus 6
Admission to Lycoming 10
financial Matters 13
Student Affairs
\cademic Policies And Regulations 25 Thegeneral regulationsandpoliciesstatedinthis
catalogareineffectforthe2005-06academicyear.
FreshmenbeginningtheirfirsttermsatLycomingCollege
inthefailof2005orthespringof2006arethereafter
The Academic Program 32 governedbythepoliciesstatedinthiscatalog.
Ifchangesare made in subsequenteditionsofthe
catalogtoeitherdistributionrequirements,major,orminor
requirements,astudenthastheoptionoffollowingtheoriginal
The CuiTiculum 52 programasoutlinedinthecatalogineffectatthetimeof
matriculationasafreshmanoroffollowingasubsequent
catalogversion. TlieCollegealwaysreser\'estherightto
determine which requirements apply.
The Board ofTrustees 168 Ifastudentinterruptshisorhereducationbutreturns
totheCollegeafternomorethanoneacademicyearhas
passed,he/shewillretainthesamerequirementsineffectat
theinitialdateofentrance. Astudentwhowithdrawsfrom
Administrative Staff/Faculty 169 theCollegeformorethanoneyearwill, upon return, be
requiredtocompletetherequirementscurrentlyimposed
uponotherstudentsofthesameacademiclevel. Astudent
whotransferstotheCollegewithadvancedstandingwillbe
The Alumni Association 187 subjecttotherequirementsimposeduponotherstudentsat
theCollegewhohaveattainedthesameacademic level.
Post-baccalaureate students will be subject tothe
requirements statedon page 32.
LycomingCollegereser\estherighttoamendorchange
index
thepoliciesandproceduresstatedinthiscatalogwithout
priornoticetothosewhomaybeaffectedby them. The
provisionsofthispublicationarenottoberegardedasan
Communication With irrevocable contract between the applicant and/orthe
studentand LycomingCollege.
.ycomingCollege 192
005-06ACADEMICCATALOG LYCOMINGCOLLEGE
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
•- •
WKLCOMETOLYCOMING
•
Welcome To Lycoming College
Lycoming College is a liberal arts and tion rate for first time freshmen is 67%. More
sciences college dedicated to providing the information is available on the Registrar's
typeoflearning thatcan be used foralifetime homepage under Student Right to Know.
in a supportive, residential environment that Lycoming students are superbly prepared to
fosters individual growth and close interper- meet the challenges oflife through an aca-
sonal relationships. demic program that includes both breadth of
U.S. News and WorldReport has recog- study in the humanities, arts, social sciences
nized the Carnegie reclassification ofLycom- and natural sciences and depth ofstudy in at
ing. The College is one ofthe national liberal least one areaofconcentration.
arts colleges in the United States. It has also Those areas ofconcentration include
been included in the "Colleges ofDistinction" bachelorofarts degree in 31 major fields, and
guidebook. The reasons are simple. abachelorofsciencedegree in fourmajorfields.
All ofLycoming's resources and faculty Those who intend to continue in medicine,
are dedicated to the undergraduate education dentistry, law, the ministry orteaching will
ofjust 1500 students. Classes are small and find excellent preprofessional preparation.
all faculty members teach. With a 13 to 1 Through a numberofcooperative programs
ratio ofstudents to faculty, classes offive or with othercolleges and universities, Lycoming
ten students are not uncommon, while even students can study engineering, forestry,
large introductory courses average about 30 environment, podiatric medicine, optometry,
students. This means abundant opportunities and medical technology—while still enjoying
for individual attention by afaculty truly the benefits ofa small college experience.
committed to teaching. The average gradua-
LYCOMINGCOLLEGE 2005-06ACADEMICCATALOG
WELCOMETOLYCOMING
Theycanalso study atOxfordBrookes Univer-
sity inOxford, England; AngliaPolytechnic
University in Cambridge, England; Regent's
College in London, England; Lancaster
University, Lancaster, England; CUEF
Universite Stendhal-Grenoble 3 in Grenoble.
France; Tandem International School in Madrid,
Spain, and Estudio Sampere at Alicante,
Madrid, Puertode SantaMaria, Solamanca,
Spain, andCuenca, Ecuador; orspenda
semesteratWestminsterBusiness School in the
University ofWestminster, London, England;
Washington, D.C., or New York City through theatre productions, participate in a nationally
a numberofother cooperative programs. acclaimed choirand concert band, as well as
One ofLycoming's most popular and organize and manage theirown social
successful ways ofblending career planning fraternities and sororities, special interest
with a liberal arts education is through its clubs and campus-wide social events.
internship program. Close to one-third of Student athletes can try out for 19 different
Lycoming students gain realjob experience as varsity sports (10 for men, 9 for women) or
part ofa semestercourse load. The participate in the College's strong intramural
Williamsport area is particularly rich in program.
internship opportunities in business, commu- Students are admitted free to productions
nication, government, health and social at the Community Arts Center. Student-run
services. The close relationship between the programs have brought in Adam Sandler,
College and the community has given FionaApple, Eve6, SugarRayandBrianAdams.
Lycoming students a chance to roll up their Lycoming's campus lies nearthe historic
sleeves and gain resume-enhancing experi- downtown ofWilliamsport, a city best known
ence rather than mere observation. as the birthplace ofLittle League Baseball
Most students complete theirprogram of and the site ofits annual international
study in fouryears, usually by taking four championship. The greater metro area has a
courses each fall and spring semester. population ofapproximately 75,000.
However, students may take one course The rolling hills and forestlands of
during Lycoming's May Term and from one northcentral Pennsylvania provide some of
to two courses in each SummerTerm. the state's best scenery, as well as hiking,
Perhaps one ofthe most important camping, kayaking, and otheroutdoor
qualities ofLycoming is its feeling of recreation. Yet Lycoming is less than a four-
community. Lycoming is atruly residential hourdrive from New York City, Philadelphia,
college where all students, with the exception Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Pittsburgh.
ofclose commuters, live on campus in one of The College enjoys a relationship with the
the College's residence halls or apartments. United Methodist Church and supports its
The quality ofcampus life is enriched by tradition ofproviding an education to persons
a variety ofextracumcular activities in which ofall faiths. The College is firmly committed
Lycoming students gain valuable leadership to a policy ofcultural diversity and expects its
training. students to work together in an atmosphere of
Students produce a newspaper, run the respect and tolerance.
campus radio station, edit ayearbook, mount
2005-06ACADEMICCATALOG LYCOMINGCOLLEGE
•HISTORY•THECAMPUS
History
The history ofLycoming College has been
one ofcontinual evolution. The institution
has been, at one time or another, an elemen-
tary and secondary school, a seminary, a
juniorcollege and at present a four-year
—
liberal arts college going through four
names in the process. Sold by an independent
board to the Methodists (who bought it as a
source ofrevenue), it is today an independent
non-profit, private college, affiliated with the
United Methodist Church.
—
Its beginning dates back to 1812 making
Lycoming one ofthe 50 oldest colleges in
—
America when it was founded as the
Williamsport Academy, that city's first
elementary and secondary school. The school
was administered by a Board ofTrustees
made up primarily ofstaunch Presbyterians.
By 1848, Williamsport had its own public
school system well in place, and the private
school was becoming a financial burden. A
visionary circuit preacher. Rev. Benjamin H.
Crever, persuaded the Methodists to buy the
school. They named the institution Dickinson The Campus
Seminary and offered college preparatory
courses. Rev. Crever is considered the Twenty-one buildings sit on Lycoming's
school's true founder. 42-acre campus. Most buildings have been
The seminary operated as a private constructed since 1950. All are easy to reach
boarding school until 1929 when a college from anywhere on campus. A 12-acre
curriculum was added and it became the athletic field and football stadium lie a few
Williamsport Dickinson Junior College, the blocks north ofthe main campus.
first privatejunior college in Pennsylvania. Modern buildings include the eight
In 1947, thejuniorcollege became a four- residence halls, which contain clean and
yeardegree-granting college ofliberal arts
comfortable double rooms; the student union;
and sciences. It adopted the name Lycoming, and the physical education/recreation center.
derived from the American Indian word
Up-to-date facilities include the library, the
"lacomic," meaning "Great Stream," a name
theatre, the planetarium, the computer center,
that enjoys local popularity as the name ofthe
an electronic music studio, a photography
county, a township and a creek.
In its evolutionary tradition, Lycoming laboratory, and an art gallery. The computer
College continues to expand its programs and centeropened in 1969; the art gallery and the
improve its academic excellence with each physical education center opened in 1980.
decade, seeking to provide a truly distin- An arts center was renovated and opened in
guished baccalaureate education to every 1983. The Heim Biology and Chemistry
student entering its doors. oBuilding opened in 1990.
LYCOMINGCOLLEGE 2005-06ACADEMICCATALOG
THECAMPUS
Residence Halls Academic Buildings
— —
Asbury Hall (1962) Named in honor of Academic Center (1968) The most
Bishop Francis Asbury, the fatherofThe iirchitecturally impressivecomplex oncampus,
United Methodist Church in the United the Center is composed offourbuildings: the
States, who made the circuit through the John G. Snowden Memorial Library, Wendle
upper Susquehanna District in 1812, the year Hall, theMary L. WelchTheatreandLaborato-
Lycoming (then the Williamsport Academy) ries, and the faculty office building.
opened its doors. Asbury Hall houses fresh- John G. Snowden Memorial Library (1968)
man students in a co-educational environ- www.lycoming.edu/library Named after the
ment.
— late state senatorJohn G. Snowden, the library
Crever Hall (1962) Honors Lycoming's supports the classroom and research needs of
founder and first financial agent, the Rev. the college community. An active informa-
Benjamin H. Crever, who helped persuade the tion literacy program promotes the use ofprint
Baltimore Conference to purchase the school materials. Web-accessed academic information
from the Williamsport Town Council in 1848. resources, and other information technologies.
— The collection includes more than 180,000
East Hall (1962) Houses five chapters of
volumes, approximately 1000 periodical titles,
Lycoming's fraternities and sororities. The
and a strong reference collection suitable to an
self-contained units contain student rooms
undergraduate education. The Snowden
and a chapter room.
— Memorial Library also houses the Lycoming
Forrest Hall (1968) Honors Dr. and Mrs. College Archives and the archives ofthe
Fletcher Bliss Forrest and Anna Forrest Central Pennsylvania Conference ofthe
Burfeindt '30, the parents and sister of United Methodist Church.
Katherine Forrest Mathers '28, whose Academic Resource Center— Located on
generosity established the memorial.
— the third floorofthe Snowden Library, it is
Rich Hall (1948) Honors the Rich family operated by a professional staffand peertutors
ofWoolrich, Pennsylvania. It houses health during the academic year. The Centeroffers
services, dining services office, security, workshops, tutoring, and counseling.
residence life, and buildings and grounds. —
ArtGallery(1980) Locatedinthe
Rich is an all female hall.
— northwestcomerofthefirstflooroftheJohnG.
Skeath Hall (1965) The largest residence SnowdenMemorialLibrary,thegallerycontains
hall honors the late J. Milton Skeath, profes- exhibitsyear-round, including shows of
sorofpsychology and four-time Dean ofthe student work.
College from 1921 to 1967. It houses —
freshmen in a co-educational environment. Wendle Hall and Laboratories (1968)
— Named after the George Wendle family, a
Wesley Hall (1956) Honors John Wesley, College benefactor, this building contains 21
the founder ofMethodism. This building classrooms, the psychology laboratories, four
houses a number ofGreek organizations, as computer laboratories with 75 terminals
well as independent students. available for use, and spacious Pennington
—
Williams Hall (1965) Honors Mary Ellen Lounge, an informal meeting place for
Whitehead Williams, mother ofJoseph A. students and faculty. The language, business,
Williams, ofSt. Marys, Pennsylvania, whose mathematics and physics laboratories are
bequest established the memorial. situated on the upper floors.
(2005-06ACADEMICCATALOG LYCOMINGCOLLEGE
THECAMPUS
•
—
Computer Graphics Lab (1993) This Heim Biology and Chemistry Building
—
computer lab features state-of-the-art (1990) The $10 million Heim Building is
Macintosh and Windows XP graphic stations one ofthe finest undergraduate science
equipped with animation, photographic facilities in the East. The three-level structure
imaging, paint and draw programs for both totals more than 63,000 square feet and
fine arts and commercial design students, contains state-of-the-art biology and chemis-
along with desktop publishing and a number try laboratories, lecture halls, .seminar rooms,
ofother programs forgeneral use. Most a science reading area and agreenhouse as
programs are updated annually. well as classrooms and faculty offices.
— —
Detwiler Planetarium (1967) Named Clarke Building & Chapel (1939)
after the Detwiler family, it is located in the Lycoming's landmark honors Martha B.
lower level ofthe Academic Center. In Clarke, a benefactor. The building contains
addition to serving as an instructional tool to Clarke Chapel, St. John Neumann Chapel,
astronomy students, the planetarium has music classrooms, practice studios, an
become acommunity resource, hosting close
electronic music studio and faculty offices.
to 2,000 youngsters in Boy Scout, Girl Scout,
school and church groups each year. Mary Lindsay Welch Honors Hall (2005)
— Lycoming has refurbished a 19th century
Mary L. Welch Theatre (1968) The
landmark into an Honors Hall that includes a
204-seat thrust-stage theatre is one ofthe
100-seat recital hall, offices for the United
finest in theregion. Theatre facilities include:
Campus Ministry Center and a small chapel.
thecollegeboxoffice, state-of-the-art lighting
and sound systems, costume and scene shops,
Administration Buildings
a make-up room, and an additional black-box —
performance space known as the Downstage Drum House Built in 1857 the Admis-
Theatre. sions House is the oldest building on the
— campus. It was first occupied by a Presbyte-
Faculty Office Building (1968) Contains
rian parson.
faculty offices, seminar rooms, and a 735-seat The Admissions House was bought by the
lecture hall. College in 1931, along with 28 otherdwell-
—
Fine Arts Center (1923, renovated 1983) ings, and in 1940 became the President's
Contains studios, sculpture foundry, wood- home. John W. Long occupied it for the
remainder ofhis tenure and D. Frederick
shop, printmaking shop, classrooms, lecture
Wertz lived in the house from 1955 until
hall, offices. 1965 when the College made the property at
—
Photography Laboratory (1984) Located 325 Grampian Boulevard the President's
in the lower level ofthe Fine Arts Center, it is home. The building was then converted for
fully equipped forboth black and white and use by the Fine Arts Department. In 1983,
color photography. when a new Fine Arts facility was completed,
— the department was relocated and the house
Communication Center (1987) The focal was vacant until 1987 when it was restored by
point ofthe facility is a fully equipped college craftsmen to its original Federalist
broadcast quality television studio and control design under the supervision ofCarol Baker
room. The building also houses an editing "60, who kindly volunteered her services
room, classrooms, faculty offices, the FM during the year-long reconstruction. The
radio station and the student newspaper Admissions House was a gift ofthe W.F.
office. Rich family.
o
LYCOMINGCOLLEGE 2005-06ACADEMICCATALOG