Program's Persistence Due to Student and Faculty Backing in FLA
In a remarkable display of unity, students and faculty at Holy Cross College have successfully prevented the termination of the Foreign Language Assistant (FLA) program. The FLA program, a hallmark of the College's World Languages department for over 20 years, invites advanced English-speaking students from nine countries to join the campus community for a semester.
Erin McCaffrey '25, a French and Political Science major, spearheaded the effort, creating a petition with nearly 1000 signatures for the cause. The petition was one of many voices calling for the reversal of the cancellation of the FLA program, which was primarily due to budgetary reasons.
The administration listened to these voices and reversed their decision after productive discussions with faculty from the Spanish and World Languages departments. The current group of FLAs were notified by the Provost's office of the good news, ensuring that the FLA program will remain at the College for years to come.
The FLA program is not just about language learning; it's about cultural exchange. FLAs coordinate culturally-rich activities to educate students about what life is like back in their home countries. They lead practicums for students taking introductory and intermediate classes in World Languages, providing a unique and immersive learning experience.
The students and faculty have also been advocating for the program through The Spire, Holy Cross's student-run newspaper. Ben Lepper, the Editor-in-Chief of The Spire, wrote a farewell letter in the Sports section of the publication, expressing his disappointment at the initial decision to terminate the FLA program. Patrick Ryan '27 wrote an article about the hiring of Tiberius Septimius as the first Latin FLA, highlighting the importance of the role in promoting cultural diversity on campus.
Viveca Stucke '26, the Chief Features Editor of The Spire, has been at the forefront of reporting on the FLA program. She published an article about the elimination of the FLA program and its budgetary reasons, as well as updates on the efforts to reverse the decision.
The College of the Holy Cross is known for its commitment to academic programs and involvement with international students and faculty. If there have been protests or changes related to the FLA program, they might not be publicly documented or widely reported based on the available search results. For accurate and up-to-date information, it would be best to contact the College of the Holy Cross directly or check their official website for any statements or updates regarding their programs.
The FLA program is more than just a tradition at Holy Cross; it's a testament to the College's commitment to cultural exchange and international understanding. With the program saved, students, faculty, and former FLAs can continue to learn from each other and celebrate the rich diversity of the world.
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