Table Of Content

in Vir .^ r-a^-K •;>! -••»»•-*.- Si^ IK i.1.1 r:il.*--S-.i:i.-^ 1999-2000 College Calendar Fall Term, 1999 August 21 (Saturday) New students arrive August 25 (Wednesday) Registration August 26 (Thursday) Classes begin September 23-26 (Thursday-Sunday) Alumnae Council September 24 (Friday) Founders' Day and Opening Convocation October 1-3 (Friday-Sunday) Families Weekend October 14-1 5 (Thursday-Friday) Reading Days October 18-November2 (Monday-Tuesday) Advising November 3 (Wednesday) Registration for Spring Term November 1 9 (Friday) Thanksgiving Vacation begins at 5:30 p.m. November 29 (Monday) Classes resume December 10 (Friday) Classes end at 2:30 p.m. December 11 (Saturday) Reading Day December 12-17 (Sunday-Friday) Examinations December 1 7 (Friday) Residence Halls close at 5:30 p.m. Spring Term, 2000 January 7 (Monday) Spring Term begins 1 March 3 (Friday) Spring Vacation begins at 5:30 p.m. March 13 (Monday) Classes resume at 8:30 a.m. March 13-28 (Monday-Tuesday) Advising March 29 (Wednesday) Registration for Fall 2000 Term April 28 (Friday) Classes end at 2:30 p.m. April 29 (Saturday) Reading Day April 30-May 4 (Sunday-Thursday) Examinations May 7 (Sunday) Commencement May 12-14 (Friday-Sunday) Alumnae Reunion Sweet Briar College Catalog 1999-2000 Contents Mission 2 College Profile 2 Sweet Briar College, 1901-1999 4 Academic Programs 7 Pre-Professional Planning 15 Student Life 20 General Policies 26 Academic Honors 30 Admissions 34 Financial Aid 39 Academic Scholarships 41 College Fees, 1999-2000 44 Academic Regulations 48 Requirementsforthe Degree 51 Advisors, 1999-2000 60 Courses of Instruction 61 Faculty, 1999-2000 200 Board of Directors, 1999-2000 207 Administration, 1999-2000 208 Index 211 Communication with the College Inside Back Cover Mission Mission Sweet Briar is a four-year, independent Sweet Briar continues its commitment as college whose aim is to prepare women to a women's college in orderto devote all of be active, responsible members ofa world its resources to the education ofwomen in community. Its curriculum is organized on thefull rangeofthe liberal arts and sci- the premisethat a foundation in the liberal ences, includingthose subjectsthat have arts and sciences enhances the development been traditionally considered as male ofcritical and creative abilities, develops domains. The faculty teaches individuals on the ability to synthesize disparate informa- a human scale. In small classes, students tion, equipsthestudentforgraduate and receivetheattention thatencourages self- professional education, and encourages the confidence and the improvementofskills individual to continue to learn long after for life and livelihood. A highly qualified leaving Sweet Briar. A broadly based faculty, committed to undergraduate academic program teaches herto view her teaching ofthe highest standards, contrib- experience within wide contexts, to utes to fulfillingthese goals. The College appreciate the achievements ofthe past, to continues to seek a diverse student body, understand the methods and majortheories which is drawn from a national and ofscience, togain an appreciation ofthe international pool ofapplicants. As an arts, and to communicatewith precision independentcollege. Sweet Briar possesses and cogency. At Sweet Briarthis study takes the flexibility to respond to the many placewithin a residential environment that challenges thatface higher education in a encourages physical well-being, ethical rapidly changingworld. awareness, sensitivityto others, responsibility forone's actions, personal initiative, and the assumption of leadership. College Profile About six hundred women students are Sweet Briar also offers opportunities for in residence each year at Sweet Briar study abroad in all parts oftheworld. Thus College, where they find challenge and the Collegeenjoys a stimulating diversity of excitement in pursuing a wide rangeof students, both geographical and social, studies in the liberal arts and sciences. which enables students to appreciate Sweet Briar is centrally located in Virginia, a different cultural perspectives. Thegenerous dozen miles north of Lynchburg and about financial aid program atthe College helps to 45 miles south ofCharlottesville. The Blue ensure that all qualified students may attend Ridge Mountains justto the west overlook Sweet Briar. the spacious campus ofmore than 3,000 Thefaculty is highly qualified—more acres, while Richmond, Virginia, and than 95 percent offull-timefaculty have the Washington, DC, lie two and three hours doctorate or highest professional degree in away by road to the east and northeast. theirfields. They are dedicated teachers and Students cometo Sweet Briarfrom all scholars who know how to motivate parts ofthe United States and abroad. To students to perform atthe highest academic encourage students to develop capacities level. Our low student/faculty ratio means for international study and understanding. that classes are small enough to encourage Sweet Briar College College Profile active learning in many lecture, seminarand In addition, the College offers pre- discussion groups. The scale ofSweet Briar professional certificate programs in makes it possiblefor students to become management, arts management, and teacher well acquainted with faculty, so theteaching licensure. process extends naturally beyond the Campus lifeat Sweet Briar complements classroom at events ranging from informal the challenges ofacademic work. It is dinner discussions at the chaplain's resi- enriched by an extensive program offree denceto extended discussion and analysis lectures, concerts, danceand theater ofthe manytalks and performances given by performances, art exhibits and films. nationally known visiting speakers and Numerous clubs and organizations encour- performing artists. agestudents to participate in activities In recentyears. Sweet Briar's nationally rangingfrom tutoring in the public schools recognized Ewald Scholars Program has and house building with Habitatfor hosted a symposium on NativeAmericans Humanity to athletic activities and sports which brought such luminaries as Wilma such as rock climbing, hiking, spelunking, Mankillerto campus. Visiting speakers have canoeing, tennis, swimming, field hockey, also included former GovernorAnn Richards riding, skiing and soccer. Students are self- ofTexas, Dean ofthe White Press Corps governed through the Student Government Helen Thomas, screenwriter Callie Khouri, Association, and all subscribe to and (of Thelma andLouiseiame), Pulitzer Prize- supportthe Honor System. Social life is winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, enlivened through mixers and informal and authors Naomi Wolf(The BeautyMyth) parties with students from the Universityof and Alice Walker (The ColorPurple). Virginia, Washington and Lee University, Excellence in teaching and commitment Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia Military to quality have always been given the Institute, and other neighboringcolleges. highest priority. Students are encouraged to The College maintains a strongtradition meet new challenges and responsibilities ofexcellence in education, while it with an ever-increasing sense of maturity. continuesto develop new ways ofkeeping The women ofSweet Briarare encouraged thattradition aliveforthefuture. It provides to develop their academic and professional the educational, recreational, and leader- interests and to realizetheir maximum ship opportunities necessary forthe potential for leadership. They are invited to personal developmentofwomen who live explore diverse fields ofknowledge, and to in a rapidly changingworld. Sweet Briar deepen their understanding ofspecific alumnae have a sense ofconfidence as they subjects in a wide choice of majors and facethe challenges beyond college and are minors leadingto a Bachelor ofArts or secure in their ability to make effective BachelorofScience degree. Thus, an contributions to thewell-being ofour education at Sweet Briar prepares students society. forsuccessful entrance into many profes- sions and graduate schools. 1999-2000 Catalog Siveet BriarCollege, 1901-1999 Sweet Briar College, 1901-1999 History of the College the first time in 1910, was soon accepted for graduate work in leading universities. Sweet BriarCollege was founded in the 1901 by Indiana FletcherWilliams in By 1921, Sweet Briar held membership memory of her only daughter, Daisy, who in the Southern Association ofColleges and dwiaesdainda1u8g8h4teartotfheElaigjeahoFfle1t6c.heMrr,s.whWiollciaammes tSieocnoonfdaUrnyivSecrshiotoylsW,otmheenA,mearnidcatnheAsAsmoecriia-- can Council on Education, and was to Virginia from Vermont, in the early years ofthe 19'*' century and taught school in approved by theAssociation ofAmerican Amherst County. Later he moved to Lynch- Universities. Sweet Briar is accredited by the burgwhere heowned and published a Department of Education, the Common- newspaper, became a civic leader, and wealth ofVirginia, and the Southern amassed large holdings of land as well as a Association ofColleges and Secondary Schools to award the Bachelor ofArts and considerable fortune. Bachelor ofScience degrees. It is a member At the time ofMrs. Williams'death in ofthe College Entrance Examination Board 1900, herestate consisted ofmore than and a contributing memberoftheAmerican 8,000 acres of land, including the Sweet School ofClassical Studies atAthens. The Briar Plantation, and over halfa million College offers courses leading to teacher dollars. Undertheterms ofherwill, the licensure in Virginia and 29 other states at Trustees were directed to incorporate an both the elementary and secondary level. Its educational foundation in the state of chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, authorized in Virginia, to establish it as a perpetual 1949, is the Theta ofVirginia. Achapterof memorial to her daughter, and to turn over Pi Gamma Mu, the international society in to it all property left to them in trust. social science, was established in 1983; Itwas Mrs. Williams'desire, according to Sigma Delta Pi established its chapter in the following excerptfrom herwill, that 1990; Alpha Lambda Delta was chartered in 1992; and the Omega Mu Chapterof Phi oitfsthhaellsbcehotohletgoenIemrpaalrtsctoopitesastnuddeonbtjsect AFelbprhuaarDye,lt1a99f5r.ateMranintyywgiafsts,esstpaebcliiaslheedndionw- ments, and bequests have greatly strength- such education in soundlearning, and ened the College. Endowed chairs have suchphysical, moral, andreligious trainingas shall in thejudgmentofthe been established in English, government, chemistry, physics, ecology, philosophy, Directors bestfitthem to be useful members ofsociety." psychology, religion, history, mathematical sciences, and international affairs, and there are additional special professorships in The first Board of Directors determined economics. that the College should befreefrom In 1978, the Virginia Centerforthe denominational control and that it should CreativeArts became affiliated with Sweet maintain the highest academic standards, Briar as a year-round artists'colony situated uniting classical and modern ideals of at Mount San Angelo, a nearby estate education. belonging to the College. Sweet Briar College opened formally in September 1906 with 51 students, including 15 day students. Its A.B. degree, granted for Sweet BriarCollege Sweet BriarCollege, 1901-1999 The Campus Whileart history students enjoy the facilities ofthe Pannell Art Center, students The Sweet Briar campus, oneofthe most ofthefine arts study in the Babcock Fine beautiful in the country, is situated in the Arts Center, which houses the departments foothills ofthe Blue Ridge Mountains, about 20 miles from theAppalachian Trail and the ofmusic, studio art, and theatrearts. Music studios arewell equipped and spacious, Blue Ridge Parkway. Twelve miles north of Lynchburg, Virginia, and 45 scenic miles while the studio artfacilities provide a full range ofpainting, drawing, and print south ofCharlottesville, the College enjoys studios. Equipmentfor silk screen, etching, the amenities of nearby cities as well as spectacular vistas ofsurrounding mountains. lithography, and photolithography is On a campus ofwoodlands, dells, and small available, and painting and printing studios are fully equipped for optimum perfor- lakes, covering morethan 3,000 rolling mance bythe student artist. A photographic acres, students are able to explorethe darkroom enables students to undertake countryside on foot, bicycle, or horseback. advanced projects. In this idyllic setting students study in The humanities and social science buildings ranging in characterfrom the neo- faculties are housed in Benedict Building, Georgian red brick ofthe noted architect which includes classrooms, seminar rooms, Ralph Adams Cram to the modern labs ofthe faculty offices, a computer laboratory, a Guion Science Center. Students live in galleryfor art exhibits, and Tyson Audito- residence halls situated around a main rium. The Mary Helen Cochran Library, quadrangle atthe heart ofthe campus. The designed by Ralph Adams Cram and built in earliest residence halls, also designed by Cram, are complemented by more recent 1929 at the centerofthe campus academic halls nearby. In addition to student accom- buildings, is the keystone of library services modations, residence halls contain common for Sweet Briar. Three other libraries on rooms, kitchens, and apartments for resident campus, theJunius P. Fishburn Music counselors, who arefacultyorstaffmem- Library in the Babcock FineArts Center, the Fanny B. Fletcher Science Library in Guion bers. Students taketheir meals ata central Science Center, and the Martin C. dining hall, Prothro Commons, which ShallenbergerArt Library in the Pannell Art contains informal dining areas as well as Center, provide students with the largest small dining rooms for special occasions. private undergraduate college library in The main quadrangle is dominated by Virginia. The collections include more than two buildings, Pannell Art Center and 230,000 book volumes, 350,000 micro- Memorial Chapel. In keepingwith previous forms, a current periodical listofover 1,150 renovations designed to keep pace with titles, and over 5500 audio-visual materials, modern needs and requirements, theoriginal all fully accessible to students. The Library's Cram-designed refectory was extensively Media Services Department provides audio- remodeled and reopened in 1985 as the visual equipmentand support, and main- Pannell ArtCenter. It boasts a modern art tains satellite capabilities for distributing gallery which houses the Sweet Briar downlink signals throughoutthe campus. Collection, as well as an art history library, offices, and classrooms for theArt History In thesciences, the newly renovated and expanded Guion Science Center provides Department. The spacious Memorial Chapel up-to-dateequipment for biology, is the location ofdaily interdenominational chemistry, physics, psychology, and services as well as the settingfor numerous computerscience. The biology laboratories vocal and instrumental concerts throughout contain a new digital imaging scanning the year. electron microscope and other equipment 1999-2000 Catalog 5 Sweet BriarCollege, 1901-1999 for study ofsuch subjects as plant computer network, is availableto all physiology, microbiology, and cell and students and faculty. molecular biology. Chemistry laboratories Recreational facilities abound at Sweet include modern instrumentation for Briar. Several natural areas have been set analytical, organic, and physical chemistry. aside by the College for ecological and Physics laboratories contain equipmentfor biological studies: the Charles W. Carry nuclear and optical spectroscopy, for Nature Sanctuary, 50 acres ofold-growth detection and analysis ofsound and light hickory and other hardwoods; the Nature waves, and computers fordata acquisition Center, 12 acres ofwoodland with marked and analysis. Students taking science study trails; the Big Oaks Woodland, 1 courses have hands-on access to equipment acres ofmature oaks-some morethan 14' notoften found in small liberal arts in circumference; theWilliams Ecological institutions. Examples include a nuclear Studies Preserve, 250 acres consisting ofa magnetic resonance spectrometer (NMR); variety of habitats; the Constitution Oaks Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT- Sanctuary; and the Scenic Stream Preserve, IR) and diode array UVA/IS spectrometer; a which extends from one oftwo lakes on scanning electron microscope with digital campus. imagingsystem; plex luminescent Whilethe walker and jogger can benefit sequencing system and modular, computer from miles ofunspoiled countryside, the controlled instrumentation for physics and rider can follow numerous trails from the chemistry; a calculus computer lab with Pentium 133 systems, VGAcolorgraphic tFHhaerrbieesttH-odewseilglneRdogreirdisngRifdaciinlgitCieesntienr,thoeneof adapters and monitors, printers and country. The center includes a large (300' x projection panels. All ofthe above enhance the classroom and lab experiencefor 120') indoorarena, a 175' x 275' oval ring with all-weatherfooting, 60 box stalls, three students. The Samuel E. Upchurch Wing, outdoor rings and 14 paddocks, schooling opened in 1993, has expanded laboratory outside courses, and three additional and classroom space in Guion. Computer teaching stations. Othersports facilities science equipment is constantly updated to include a swimming pool which meets all provide the latest and best hardware and NCAA requirements and the Daisy Williams softwarefor use by students. In the social Gymnasium which contains facilities for sciences, too, students enjoy the use of physical education, weight trainingequip- modern equipment and facilities, including ment, a Nautilus Center, aerobic fitness computer labs, to carry out a variety of center, training rooms and dance studios. In experiments in psychology and to pursue addition, there are 14 tennis courts and study in anthropology, sociology, fields for hockey, lacrosse, and soccer. economics, and government. Sweet Briar is committed to providing botThhfuosrtshteudcyaamnpdusforisvaingoirdoeuasl rleoccraetaitoinon at students with access to computers. The Woody Learning Center, located in Gray, all times ofthe year. It lends itselfto the formation ofclose professional relationships includes a computer lab which has Macintosh micro-computers. MS-DOS between students and faculty, the enjoyment ofa wide variety ofeducational and computer labs are located in the Guion recreational opportunities, and the develop- Science Centerand in Benedict. All are mentof lastingfriendships. Classes are small available 24 hours a day. Additional and personal sothatthetotality ofthe microcomputers are available atother locations across thecampus. In all, more eadnudcaatpiporneacliaetxepderbiyeancleuminsaleonogfrSewmeeemtbBerriaerd. than 100 microcomputers areavailablefor student use. The Internet, the global Sweet Briar College Academic Programs Academic Programs Academic Advising The responsibility for advising students about graduate programs and career plans is The advising program at Sweet Briar shared amongthe Dean ofthe College, the encourages students to make informed Associate Dean ofAcademic Affairs, decisions abouttheirown academic members ofthe faculty, and the Career progress. Coordinated by theAssociate Dean Services staff. ofAcademic Affairs, the program provides assistance for students as they develop their First-Year Academic academic objectives and integratetheir educational experiences. Advising Priorto herarrival, each student is Sweet Briar students actively participate matched with an academic advisoron the in planningtheirown education. For this basis ofshared academic orco-curricular reason, the College's advising program interests. Unless she chooses to change, the maintains a strongfocus on self-assessment student will work with this advisor until she and decision-making. declares a major in the spring of her sopho- Afirst-year student receives information moreyear. Supplementary advisingoffirst- about heracademic advisorand the year students and sophomores isthe advising process when she arrives on responsibility oftheAssociate Dean of campus for Orientation. During Orientation, AcademicAffairs. a studentwill havetwoor more meetings Juniors and seniors are usually advised by with her academic advisor. The first meeting the chairofthe departments in which they is a group meeting - a chance to meet her have declared majors. Supplementary advisorand the otherfirst-year students in advisingofjuniors and seniors is the heradvising group. The second meeting is responsibility of Dean ofthe College. one-to-one. Additional individual appoint- In the process of helping students make ments may be scheduled as needed. theirown choices, academic advisors Before a student meets individually with interpretCollege requirements, assistwith her academic advisorforthe firsttime, she courseselections, monitoradvisees' aca- is asked to write a self-assessment essay. demic progress, and make referrals to This essay reflects the student's understand- campus resources. Academic advisors also ingof"where she is" at the start ofher receive the self-assessment essays written by college career, the kinds of issues and students at three key points in their college problems that interest her, herown sense of careers. Students and their advisors use these her strengths and weaknesses, and her initial self-assessments as the basis for discussing goals for her college education and beyond. educational goals and achievements. This essay will then help the studentand her Thefirst self-assessment essay must be advisor prepare an optimal course ofstudy. written during Orientation in anticipation of a student's first individual advising session. First-Year Seminar The second self-assessmentessay is written in the middleofhersophomore year as a As an introduction to the skills, intellec- requirementforthe declaration ofa major. tual practices, and liberal arts perspective Thethird self-assessment essay, written in her promoted at Sweet Briar, all students enroll senioryear, asks a studentto evaluate her in a three-credit first-year seminar duringthe college career in light of her plans forthe fall semesteroftheir first year. The seminar future. focuses on oral, written, and in some cases. 1999-2000 Catalog Academic Programs quantitative skills. Through the study ofa recreation. Session topics and instructors theme, students areencouraged to exercise vary from year to year. analytical, synthetic, and creative abilities. Sweet Briar College is an outstanding In ordertofacilitatethe active participation setting for an active lifestyle balanced with ofall students, each seminar is limited to an moments ofquietand contemplation. The enrollment of 15 students. These seminars Collegecampus covers 3,300 acres and may not be counted toward the completion includes woodlands, nature sanctuaries, ofa major or minor. See First- YearSeminars farmland, lakes, a mountain outing cabin, under the Courses of Instruction for the Rogers Riding Center, recreational descriptions ofcurrently offered seminars. facilities, and trails for hikers, bicycles and horses. The outdoor component ofOrienta- First-Year Experience tion makes first-year students aware ofthese natural and recreational resources. First-year students are introduced to the College through the Key Program. The Key Program helps students become involved in Residential Life and the community, work toward academic and Housing careergoals, and achieve success inside and outsideofthe classroom. The program is Sweet Briar residence halls provide implemented through Orientation, first-year opportunitiesforstudentto live and grow in seminars, residential living, and mentoring a diverse community. To help ensure a by advisors and student leaders. positive experience, the Officeof Residence Life and Housing serves as the "home base" Orientation ofthe Key Program forfirst-year students. Orientation is the first step in a new in dAollubflires-to-ycecaurpsatnucdeyntrsooamreshionuosneedotfogtewtoher student's academic career. It is designed to traditional-style residence halls. In addition familiarize first-year students with the Sweet to residentassistants (RAs), Key leaders live Briar campus and community while giving on corridors with first-year students. These students timeto unpack, relax, and connect leaders are upperclasswomen who have with classmates. expertise in areas ranging from academic During theweek, students learn the ins resources to health and wellness. and outs ofcampus life, use ofthe computer Both residentassistants and Key leaders network and electronic mail, gettingaround are responsibleforeducational program- in the library, meetingwith academic and ming specific to first-year needs. They also co-curricular advisors, understandingthe Honor Code, and becomingacquainted staffa resource center located within one of with the many services, resources, and thefirst-year residence halls. The resource center helps students with academic, opportunities the College offers students personal, orsocial concerns on a walk-in throughouttheirfour years at Sweet Briar. basis. Italso serves as a place to simply Orientation also provides an outdoor "hang out." componentthrough the Learningon the Land Program. Students choosefrom a Co-Curricular variety ofexploratory sessions thatexamine the Sweet Briarenvironment from different Advising perspectives, includinganthropology, art, In addition to academic advisors, first- ecology, history, horticulture, and music. year students are assigned co-curricular These sessions are created and taught by advisors (CCAs) whose primary responsibil- faculty, administrators, and staff members ity is helpingstudents take advantageof with an eye toward combining learning and Sweet Briar College