Bryant applies innovation to teaching In an effort to offer alternatives to the traditional teaching model of textbooks and lectures, Bryant University has established the Center of Innovation in Teaching with the aim of creating programming that provides opportunities for more experiential and engaging learning, connecting students with faculty and staff early in their Bryant careers. Other goals include peaking students’ intellectual curiosity, and helping first-year students make the transition to college learning effectively. Trustee Professor of Management Michael A. Roberto, D.B.A. is heading a steering committee consisting of faculty and staff representing both academic and cocurricular facets of the university. “A known predictor of academic success is the establishment of one-on-one relationships with faculty and staff, so the center’s aim is to create experiences from which these relationships are a natural outcome,” says Roberto.
Alumni-Admission Connection
The Character of Success Bryant University Office of Admission 1150 Douglas Pike Smithfield RI 02917 Phone: 401-232-6100 Toll Free: 800-622-7001 admission@bryant.edu admission.bryant.edu
With an initial focus on first-year students, the center plans to launch several different experiments each year. While these may be purely academic, cocurricular aspects are sought as well. One plan calls for a threeday experiential learning experience with no class but which involves small teams of students, faculty, staff and possibly alumni to address or solve some problem or issue.
Each team would be charged with producing an end product – not merely a PowerPoint presentation, as many standard class assignments call for – but a prototype, such as a model, an actual advertisement, etc. The center will also initiate a Dinner & Discourse Series hosted by more than one faculty member in one of their homes. Following the meal, attendees will discuss a major issue/challenge of the day identified and developed earlier by faculty and staff. Another initiative targets faculty members and involves a series of thought-provoking speakers to explore innovative concepts in teaching. The group has already hosted Saul Kaplan, founder of the Business Innovation Factory, an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to enable business model and system level innovation in areas of high social impact including education. Another presenter was Dave Ager, a Harvard sociology professor, who described some of the innovation being applied to teaching at that institution. Based on a curriculum that already involves much real-life learning, this is one of several fronts on which Bryant is now poised to break new ground in teaching and learning.
Join us for…
SUMMER SEND-OFFS Welcome New Students to the Bryant Community
A Newsletter for Members of the Alumni-Admission Connection
Volume 11, Issue 2, June 2011
Please join AAC for another great year! It’s summer again (finally!) and time for our annual AAC membership renewal. The role our AAC members play in Bryant’s recruitment process is priceless. By sharing your student and post-graduation experiences with prospective students and their families, you are providing them with valuable information in their college search process. The time you devote to keeping current on admission, academic, cocurricular and athletic information, attending on- and off-campus events, making phone calls, conducting interviews, and generally being Bryant representatives in your community is appreciated by the students, their families and all of us here on campus. Please look for the 2011-2012 Membership Renewal Form and postage-paid envelope enclosed with this newsletter. If you are able to continue your participation during the upcoming academic year, please indicate at the top of the form. Then review your personal information and make any needed changes. Of course, if work and/or family obligations make it difficult for you to participate, we understand; just check the “Sorry!” box and we’ll remove you from our database. Notice that we are asking your preferred method to receive this newsletter: hard copy via mail or electronically. Please indicate by checking the appropriate box. Also, if we don’t hear from you by July 22, we will assume you are no longer able to participate, and will remove your name from membership. All renewing members will receive an updated 20112012 AAC manual and directory along with the September newsletter.
Northern New Jersey The Bryant Connection is published three times a year, in January, June, and September for the Alumni-Admission Connection members of Bryant University. Send comments on this newsletter or AlumniAdmission Connection activity to Rebecca Eriksen, Senior Assistant Director for Events and Volunteers, Bryant University Office of Admission, 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917, 401-232-6957, 800-622-7001 or reriksen@bryant.edu. 4
Wednesday, August 3 Dan Wystepek 401-232-6109
Port Jefferson, New York Wednesday, August 10 Katie McAtee 401-232-6023
Hartford/Springfield Area Wednesday, August 10 Kristy Almeida-Neveu 401-232-6417 · Chris Horn 401-232-6973
Puerto Rico Sunday, August 21 Priscilla Alicea 401-232-6715
Know someone interested in joining AAC? Give them this URL:
www.bryant.edu/aac They can complete the
Online Personal Contact Form and we’ll make them a member before you can say “Bryant Bulldogs.”
Bryant adopts test-optional admission policy After much research and discussion, we are very pleased to announce that Bryant University has adopted a test-optional admission policy beginning with applications submitted in fall 2011, for students entering in fall 2012. As an institution committed to developing the student as a whole, this was a natural progression in our admission process as it gives students more opportunities to demonstrate their strengths and talents. While we recognize that standardized tests accurately measure aptitude for many students, there are many whose talents are not measured by such tests. Students who feel their standardized test scores are not an accurate representation of their academic achievement or talent will now have the option of completing two to three short essay questions in place of submitting their test scores to Bryant. Please share this information with prospective students you meet. You can tell them if they are satisfied with their test scores and believe the scores are indicative of their academic potential, they should submit them with their other credentials. However, if a student has a strong academic record, but does not feel their test results are a good indicator of their academic potential, they can choose not to submit them, and instead, submit answers to several essay questions. The process for students who submit test scores and those who do not will be very similar. The difference is students choosing to apply testoptional will respond to several short essay questions. When students submit their applications to Bryant (using either the Common Application or the Universal College Application and supplements), they will indicate on the supplement if they would like to be considered testoptional. Once Bryant receives the application, students selecting testoptional will be sent a link to the essay questions required to complete the test-optional application. We strongly recommend that students carefully consider this choice; once they have submitted their application, they will be unable to change to the other option. Bryant has a well-rounded and holistic application review. The factors in an admission decision include overall high school academic record, recommendations, co-curricular activities, community involvement, writing ability and other achievements along with personal character and integrity. While the high school transcript will continue to be the most important part of application evaluation, we strongly believe that by allowing the individual student to decide how best to present their academic potential, the test-optional alternative allows us to consider students’ strengths that may be demonstrated in areas other than test scores. More detailed information about the policy and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at http://admission.bryant.edu/ testoptional. If a student has any questions about applying testoptional to Bryant, please have them contact the Office of Admission at (800) 622-7001 or admission@bryant.edu, or contact their admission counselor directly.