You will be attending a different school when you return in the Fall. The singular focus of the College now is improving the educational experience of you- our students. Our goal is to transform Paul Quinn from a solid college into a great college. In order for us to achieve this goal, we must recruit, educate and graduate students who are capable of greatness. Moreover, each one of us must commit to this standard everyday, in everything that we do. We are raising the expectations for everyone associated with the College-- you, me, the faculty and the staff. This is who we are now. I do not pretend that we are taking the path well-traveled. However, this path is the only one that we can travel. Each of the changes listed below have been made with the new College in mind.

Changes for the 2007-08 School Year

1.   Dress Code: It is our mission to educate and better prepare our students for successful professional careers. To that end, beginning in the Fall we are implementing a business casual dress code for the campus. Between the hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday- Thursday, students will no longer be allowed to wear jeans, gym shoes, flip flops, pajama bottoms, shorts, sweatshirts, sweatsuits, halter tops, or shirts without collars outside of their dormitories. Students who fail to adhere to this policy will not be (1) allowed to attend class or (2) served in the cafeteria. The only exception to this rule is on Fridays. Fridays will be “Paul Quinn Pride Days”. Students will be permitted to wear jeans and shorts if they are wearing Greek or school paraphernalia. We are in the process of collecting clothing items in order to assist our students who may not have the necessary items to comply with this change. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact our Vice President of Student Affairs, Ms. Cynthia Marshall-Biggins at 214-302-3532.

2.   Mandatory Class Attendance: We are in the process of strengthening the academic requirements of the College. Accordingly, class attendance is now mandatory. We believe mandatory class attendance will provide you with the greatest opportunity to adjust to the more stringent academic requirements. Students are permitted only two excused absences per class, per semester. If a student exceeds this number, they will be docked a full letter grade for every unexcused absence.

3.   Extended Library Hours: To increase each student’s access to library resources, we are adding additional hours of operation to the Zale Library schedule. Monday through Thursday the library will be open each night until 11:00 p.m.

4.   Class Withdrawal Policy: Beginning with the Fall semester, students will only be permitted to withdraw from classes during the first two weeks of each semester.

5.   THEA Exam: Per the guidelines of our existing policies, every student must attain a passing score on the THEA exam prior to what constitutes as their junior year. If a student fails to achieve a passing score prior to the first semester of their junior year, they will be placed on academic probation for a period of 60 days. During that time the student must secure a passing score or they will be withdrawn from the College until they comply with the rule.

6.   Reduction of Academic Majors: In order to promote academic excellence at the College we have restructured the curricula and majors. Beginning this Fall, we will offer the following majors:

  a.   Legal Studies (formerly Criminal Justice)
  b.   Religion
  c.   Education
  d.   Business Administration
  e.   Engineering/Technology
  f.   Interdisciplinary Studies
  g.   Hospitality Management
  h.   Healthcare/Nursing
  i.   Biology
  j.   Computer Science
  k.   Organizational Management (ORM)

Any junior or senior whose major is no longer offered by the College will be permitted to transfer into one of the existing majors. This change will only affect students entering their freshman and sophomore years.

7.   SACS Report: The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) has completed its review of the college and has placed us on probation for the 2007-08 school year. Here’s exactly what this means—we have one year to address the issues that SACS has identified. Each of these items is very much within our control to fix and we have already begun doing so. In fact, many of the concerns in the SACS review have been addressed in the past three months. The College is not going to close and you will not see a reduction in any services or aid.

8.   Summer School: After this summer, we have decided to discontinue offering on-campus summer school classes. This decision was based on an analysis of the costs and benefits of an on-campus summer school program. Beginning in the Summer of 2008, we will be offering only on-line summer school courses.

9.   Career Placement: To better assist students in locating and securing full-time employment and summer internships, we have bolstered our student placement services. Beginning in August, Mr. Raymond Weeks will take over as the Placement Director for the College. He will be assisted by Ms. Angela Hodges, Assistant Placement Director. Beginning in Fall 2007, every student will register with the Placement Office by placing their resume on file with the Office. Students who fail to do so, will not be allowed to take final exams at the end of the first semester. Additionally, in order to graduate, each student must complete a minimum of one internship that has been pre-approved by the Placement Office.

10.   Security: Beginning Fall 2007, all vehicles attempting to enter the campus must stop at the front gate. It will also be mandatory that all visitors must secure a pass from the security office in order to enter the campus. This is step one in an improved security policy that will be discussed in greater detail in the fall.

11.   Food Service: We are expanding our food service program. The cafeteria will undergo renovations that we hope to have completed by the beginning of the academic year. These renovations will (1) increase the variety of food offered; (2) improve the quality of meals served; and (3) alter the aesthetics of the cafeteria. I am confident that you will be thrilled with the new cafeteria.

12.   Bookstore: We are in the process of completing a partnership agreement with Barnes & Noble that will result in major changes in the operation of our campus bookstore. Beginning with the Fall semester, you will be ordering your books through Barnes & Noble. Barnes & Noble representatives will be on campus during the first few weeks of the semester to ensure a smooth transition.

I hope that this letter answers any questions you may have and provides you with a general overview of the new Paul Quinn College. As I stated at the outset of this communication, these changes are sweeping and comprehensive. However, they are also exciting.

If you have any questions or would just like to discuss the direction in which we are headed, please give me a call and schedule an appointment. My number is (214) 302-3550, or you may contact Ms. Carolyn Ray, my executive assistant, at 214.302.3515.

Take care and enjoy the rest of your summer.

Sincerely,


Michael J. Sorrell, J.D.
President
Paul Quinn College