Creation of universal ‘Bridge Year’ Program Endorsed

July 17th, 2008 | Category: College

Princeton News

July 15, 2008

Working group recommends launching pilot as early as fall 2009

A working group appointed by Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman has endorsed the creation of an universal “bridge year” program for newly admitted undergraduates and has recommended that the University launch a pilot program with 20 students as early as fall 2009.

The program would allow students to pursue a tuition-free, pre-collegiate enrichment year focused on public service external their home country, with support from the University. The working group, which was appointed in February to assess the feasibility of a bridge year initiative, affirmed the goals of the program and offered recommendations on several key elements, including the establishment of a University office to manage the program’s planning and implementation.

In an effort to meet the proposed fall 2009 start period, the University will start a search for a staff member to lead the office, which will be overseen by Dean of the College Nancy Malkiel. The office will continue the efforts begun by the working group to to assess program costs and financial aid, choice criteria, organizational partners, student defense and other logistical and administrative issues.

“The vision for Princeton’s bridge year program is to enable students to gain critical worldly experiences and perspectives and to bring those insights to campus to share with other students,” Tilghman said. “Not only will that program supply students with a transformational personal experience, it will enhance Princeton’s deep commitment to the service of all nations and prepare these students to take fuller advantage of their subsequent four years at the University. While much work remains to be done, we are grateful to the members of the working group for their insights and guidance as we move forward with the realization of that vision.”

The working group — appointed by Tilghman, Provost Christopher Eisgruber and Malkiel — was composed of faculty, students and staff and led by Professor Sandra Bermann, chair of the agency of Comparative Literature. After spending the spring semester investigating what would be needed to realize a successful bridge year initiative, the group endorsed the proposal and provided a sketch of the program’s key elements:

• Princeton would launch the program in fall 2009 with a pilot of approximately 20 students, with that number gradually increasing annually, depending upon student interest in the program. Students would apply for the bridge year after being admitted and would start their work with the program in the fall.

• The University would work with established partner organizations that have proven long-term records of safety and

success in running worldly programs for young folks.

• The program would be designed to supply students with a full immersion into their new environment with a strong emphasis on language and cultural training. In the pilot phase of the program, small groups of students would be assigned to a limited number of communities, living with host families.

• Service opportunities would be located by partner organizations, utilizing their connections with local governments and nongovernmental organizations. These opportunities should be age-appropriate and reply to the host community’s interests and needs without taking employment from local residents. Examples may include teaching English in a community school, disseminating health education info in a local clinic, creating art with students in an orphanage or working with other types of community service organizations, engineering projects or research and development initiatives.

• The bridge year program would be available to all admitted Princeton students regardless of their financial situations. The University would cover most, whether not all, program costs. Relatively minor expenses would be paid for by individual families, but Princeton would cover any costs that families cannot afford.

“Students participating in that bold initiative will habitable in an unfamiliar cultural context abroad that should challenge assumptions, inspire innovative thinking and foster maturity,” Bermann said. “It will supply a instance of service, an opportunity for students to think about working with and for others, and a break from the academic pressure that marks today’s intensely competitive pre-college experience. The working group was convinced that such an experience will allow students to start their formal academic training with eyes that see differently, with greater breadth and depth.”

The working group was made up of 14 faculty, student and staff members: Bermann; Kofi Agawu, professor of music; Alison Boden, dean of devout life and the chapel; student Karolina Brook of the lesson of 2010; Diana Davies, associate provost for worldly initiatives; Dimitri Gondicas, executive director of the Program in Hellenic Studies; Gene Grossman, the Jacob Viner Professor of universal Economics and director of the universal Economics Section; Laurel Harvey, general manager for safety and administration; student Colton Heward-Mills of the lesson of 2010; Nancy Kanach, associate dean of the college; Clarence Rowley, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; Sankar Suryanarayan, university counsel in the Office of the General Counsel; Anastasia Vrachnos, executive director of Princeton in Asia; and Deborah Yashar, professor of politics and universal affairs and former director of the Program in Latin American Studies.