By Cameron Brock
Staff Writer
For two years in a row, Bryan has required freshmen to take COL100 along with the freshman CT101 during their first semester.
“It is an entry level student-discipleship program. It is a freshman’s first exposure to the culture of Bryan College,” said Jonathan Doran, director of counseling and soul care.
CT101 is part of a CLF program that began in 2004 as an addition to the chapel program.
“Before the CLF, Chapel was four days each week with Thursdays being a day for students to do something with their PCI organization,” said Dr. Matt Benson, vice president of spiritual formation.
“CLF courses began as 1-3 credit hour electives, which took the place of the Tuesday chapel, and were originally comprised of just four courses. Now the CLF courses have expanded to 16-20 courses and the Tuesday and Thursday time slot of 11 a.m.-noon is still free for everyone,” Benson said.
CT101 is a good way for both current students at Bryan to get involved and new students to be interactive with the Bryan community, he added.
“CT101 offers a way for students to make disciples. It is challenging students to be change agents at the college, changing the college’s culture, “ said Doran.
Keri-Lynn Paulson, Bryan Journey coordinator, was unable to comment on the course due to being busy with on-going SACS review.
“It is neat to be able to get to know the freshmen,” said sophomore Kristin Hall, a student leader with the COL100 course. “The general attitude of the class is not great. Many people think they don’t need to know or already know,” said Hall.
Complaints on the necessity of both courses have been apparent. Some students feel that both classes are about common sense things and a waste of time.
“Taking it last year, there were things I knew and did not know. There are always things people know and they do not know. If I did not think that the information was useful, I would not be a leader,” said Hall.
“We have tried to work really hard on the leaders. They are not getting credits,” said Doran, regarding CT101. “It is about getting back to students, returning students becoming mentors, passing that on. We have all been freshmen and to have someone older to connect with is huge in growing.”
