Gallatin School Hosts National Student Conference, Oct 11-13th 2002

Alternative Traditions Examines Innovative Education and Learning in the 21st Century

New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study is hosting a national student conference, Alternative Traditions: A National Student Conference on Alternative Higher Education, from Friday, October 11th- Sunday, October 13th, 2002. The conference, organized by students in a school that fosters student engagement, will feature lectures, panel discussions, workshops and skill-developing sessions dealing with alternative curriculums as well as examining the local and global role of innovative institutions. Noted academic speakers include: Mary Catherine Bateson, author of Full Circles, Overlapping Lives; Stanley Aronowitz, author of The Knowledge Factory: Dismantling the Corporate University; and Joy Rosenzweig Kliewer, author of The Innovative Campus: Nurturing the Distinctive Learning Environment.

The conference seeks to foster dialogues among students, teachers, scholars, and professionals in alternative higher education programs and institutions throughout the country. This unique conference will promote a student-centric discourse, a voice that seems conspicuously absent in traditional pedagogy. E. Frances White, Dean of Gallatin, said, “I am extremely proud of all the students’ organizing efforts. Each of them brings their unique passions to the table in a collaborative effort to create what will be a first-rate academic conference.” Alternative Traditions is part of "30 Years at Gallatin: A Celebration."

Conference participants will engage in a series of lectures, panel discussions and workshops by day, and in the evenings, connect in planned cultural events that make use of the vast artistic resources that New York City has to offer.

Alternative Traditions is being hosted with the student budget in mind. A nominal registration fee is all that is required. Additionally, the Gallatin School has identified funding that student attendees can apply for to offset their travel expenses. Once here, the conference attendee’s room, board and conference materials, as well as cultural events are paid for. Conference attendees can register and obtain information via the web: www.alternativetraditions.org

Alternative Traditions conference organizers have planned for this conference to only be a starting point of dialogue and collaboration with the participating attendees, universities and programs, which rely on alternative educational methods. A web site has been established for the continued dialogue, and a published manuscript of conference papers will be made available. Below is the conference schedule of events:

Friday:

How did we get here? The values underlying alternative higher education in the United States and how to fight for them

Welcomes and Intros – President Sexton, Dean White, Robert Kalin Student frames the day - Teresa Kochis on format of the day Student Keynote Speaker – Betsy Wilson, Robert Kalin Student Introduces Keynote Speaker – Chris Hansen-Nelson Key Note Speaker – Mary Catherine Bateson School Fair Presentations

Saturday:

Where are we now? Looking at and assessing of alternative higher education

BLOCK I Stanley Aronowitz Session A student debate – Corporate/For Profit vs. Non-profit Session B panel – Admissions Session C panel – Curriculum: the Canon, the Core, etc.

BLOCK II Dr. Joy Kliewer Session A panel – Traditional Disciplines – the Alternatives Session B workshop – Alternative Teaching Methods Session C panel – Arts in Education

BLOCK III Session A panel members – Local/global role/responsibilities & opportunities Session B workshop – Cynics, Slackers and Idealists Session C workshop – Building the School Community Session D workshop –Grad Studies at Alternative Higher Education Institutions

Sunday:

Where are we going?: Predictions of change and what we should do

BLOCK IV Session A workshop members – Technology & Education Session B workshop members – The Importance of Governance Session C panel members – Open & Closed Systems of Education Session D panel members – Standards, Evaluations, Grades, etc.

BLOCK V Session A workshop members – Teaching: the Joys and the Stresses Session B workshop members – The After-Life Session C workshop members – What now, Young Frosh!. Student/Teacher Call to Action!

BLOCK VI Skill workshops Learning communities: themed or issue based discussions Task forces: Organized groups for discussion/action

09/18/02