Is ACE a noble endeavor or our last resort?
Letter to the Editor
No one can argue against the merits of Alliance Catholic Education (ACE) and other service-oriented projects affiliated with the University of Notre Dame. Such experiences foster personal growth and altruism. Yet we find it difficult to believe that the ever-growing number of applicants to ACE, Holy Cross Associates and other service projects reflects an ever-growing desire to perform post-graduate service work.
As irreproachable as ACE is on the University campus, we find it equally indisputable that the University has failed in providing its many Arts and Letters students with the same lucrative and upstanding positions available to its business and engineering students. Any person who has bothered to log on to "Go Irish" knows that no positions are tailored to the Arts and Letters student, even if they are "welcomed" to apply. It is not that A&L students are incapable or unqualified to assume professional positions immediately after graduation. But if one were to look only at the Notre Dame Career Center, he would think that all jobs require specific training in the corporate or technical arenas. Are we to assume that all Williams or Swarthmore graduates are pursuing graduate degrees or service work? Obviously jobs exist for those who have chosen to pursue a liberal arts education. It is the fault of our University that A&L students feel compelled to seek opportunities in fields outside their education or professional goals.
Notre Dame, while valuing tradition, has turned its back on A&L students. The college of Arts and Letters was the first college of Notre Dame and is the cornerstone of this university. As the world's premier Catholic university, Notre Dame should pride itself on graduating students who have used their education to question morals, expand their world views and defend their values in a diverse society. In the opinion of many educators and employers, the A&L curriculum provides the best method of creating well-rounded, well-spoken individuals willing to make an immediate impact on the injustices in our society. ACE is neither the only nor the most effective method of achieving such goals. A&L students can and do make a difference in a wide variety of fields, if and when they are provided the opportunity.
It seems that the A&L students at Notre Dame are given three post-graduate options: further education, corporate work or service. Many are understandably uninterested in further education. They also find that they are unqualified for the employers that recruit on campus. Service becomes the most attractive option by default. Notre Dame needs to offer its A&L students a fourth option of meaningful and appropriate employment worthy of a Notre Dame degree.
Undoubtably, ACE is a worthwhile and commendable organization. But its accomplishments are minimized when many of its applicants are not offered other, equally appealing alternatives. Give Notre Dame's A&L students options after graduation, and then ACE can boast about its selectivity.
Jake McCall
Senior, Keough Hall
February 14, 2000
Ashley Lowery
Senior, Off-Campus
February 14, 2000
All Viewpoint Stories for Tuesday, February 15, 2000
