The new math requirement is in fact a misnomer of what the new requirement actually is, for as it stands now, the class of 2018 and classes beyond will have to complete a Quantitative Reasoning requirement for graduation.

The revamping of the core curriculum included changing specific class requirements to a specified set of learning areas, each of which has a set of specific learning outcomes for students that provides them with more options.

Many of the classes that can be taken to fulfill this requirement are math classes, but there is a range of classes offered by other departments that will count as well, including Biostatistics, Statistical Methods for Criminal Justice, Computing 1, Behavioral Statistics, Social Statistics and Music Theory 2.

This list is not complete, as Professors can apply to have their classes reviewed by the committee of the core to determine if it will fulfill the Quantitative Reasoning requirement.

For students who come in to college having taken Advanced Placement (AP) math courses in high school, they will be able to test out of this.

The Faculty Senate was the group that decided on having this requirement as part of the new core curriculum.

The freshman class was asked their thoughts on the new addition to the curriculum with the understanding that it was in fact strictly a math requirement.

One student, Julia McKenna said, “I was under the impression we don’t have a math requirement unless it is a prerequisite for a class.”

Another student, Benjamin Paige said, “The new math requirement for the freshman is not acceptable. For many, having a math background for their future careers is good, but what if you want to have a career in something other than math or numbers.”

The intention of the Faculty Senate was to widen the variety of classes students can take and better the curriculum, especially since this is a requirement many colleges already have in place.