Students, faculty criticize decision not to print course catalog

For the first time, Saint Joseph's University did not print copies of the course catalog, and instead published a version online as a PDF file.

According to Paul DeVito, associate provost, the university is developing a more detailed online course catalog with easier search functions for the next academic year.

"We were not able to deploy a true online catalog this year because of all the different changes that are being made to the curriculum," said DeVito. "We're going to have to get through this year, but hopefully we'll have a much better version of the catalog for next year."

However, the absence of printed copies and the lack of a fully developed online catalog this year have met with criticism from faculty and students.

"We have feedback that the advising sessions are not going well, because we need to have something that is easier to search," said DeVito. "The situation that we have now is that the catalog is available in last year's format or it's available online in the PDF format, but we acknowledge that is unacceptable."

Faculty and students have expressed discontent about this year's elimination of mass-produced hard copies of the catalog. Some professors, including English professor Patrick Samway, S.J., have relied on the printed catalog when helping advisees register for classes, and feel that the change is detrimental.

"The reason why I like a hard copy is because I consider the catalog a contract between the faculty and students," said Samway. "We say 'These professors have these degrees. If you come here, you are guaranteed that they will be teaching you. We expect you to take these courses in this sequence, and contractually, we will do our very best to make sure you have the support to take these courses.'"

Samway said he found the online version efficient enough while advising this year, but also wants to retain printed copies.

"I would hate to see a student do without it," said Samway. "It would be a travesty."

According to DeVito, there will be hard copies available to faculty and students in the future, even with the new system. These catalogs will, however, be printed in smaller quantities than they have been in the past.Before this year, hundreds of hard copies were printed and made readily available to advise current students about available courses, major requirements, and other rules. However, about half of these went unused, said DeVito. The wasted printing expenses and the environmental impact influenced the decision not to print catalogs this year.

Students have expressed dissatisfaction about the lack of a printed catalog this year, citing the inconveniences of the current online catalog as a major complaint. Courtney Waddle, '11, said finding course descriptions was more difficult this year.

"I didn't like looking at my classes online, because the SJU Web site has been so unreliable for the past couple of weeks," said Waddle. "It was just easier to go borrow a book from a friend, and look up my classes in that copy. It was easier to read, and easier to find out what the prerequisites were for certain classes."

DeVito said these and other complaints have been noted.

"We do acknowledge that it has been a burden for students, and we do acknowledge that faculty members have had issues using it, but we have a solution going forward," said DeVito.

The decision not to print catalogs this year was made by a committee formed to analyze the state of the current catalog and the impact of the new curriculum and course numbering system. This group was comprised of representatives from both the College of Arts and Sciences and the Haub School of Business, including those from the deans' and provost's offices.

In previous years, the university also printed copies of the catalog to recruit future students. "Enrollment management used the catalog as a sort of recruitment tool," said DeVito. "That's why if you look at the Saint Joseph's catalog, it's larger and more decorative than most other university catalogs."

However, four years ago, enrollment management stopped sending catalogs to prospective students in favor of more effective methods, according to DeVito. As a result, fewer hard copies were needed.