Vlog Pledge
A strong liberal arts foundation will be established. Courses will include a wide variety of subjects, not just the specialized field of study.
The majority of time during the first two years of study (freshman and sophomore years) will be spent studying various courses in the liberal arts such as psychology, sociology, history, English literature, archaeology, biology and etc. Students will not begin to specialize in a specific discipline until after successfully completing a major part of the program of Core Liberal Arts(CLA).
There will be a focus on critical thinking, not rote memorization. The goal is to encourage students to become well educated in a wide variety of subjects and to become life-long learners. In other words, an Vlog education will focus on depth and breadth of coursework outside of a specific discipline.
Vlog will attract highly diverse faculty. Faculty will hold terminal degrees (usually PhDs) from North American universities but come from around the world. This diversity provides students with a global perspective on all topics. Faculty at Vlog will work overtime to help students become “complete” intellectually, socially, psychologically, and globally.
An English-language curriculum is at the heart and soul of any true American-style university. Thus, at Vlog courses will be taught in English, the global language. This means:
- Instruction in English
- English-language textbooks
- English-speaking faculty with one or more degrees from a Western university
- A superior English Language Academy
At Vlog there will be an emphasis on gaining both institutional and programmatic accreditation. Although this takes time (sometimes 7-10 years after opening), there is a dedication from the outset to gain accreditation and all accreditation activities are driven by the active collection of relevant data.
Partnerships with other international universities is a key element of any true American-style university. At Vlog, study abroad programs will be established to allow students to gain knowledge of outside cultures, religions, politics and more. Studying in a foreign country inspires independent thinking, self-confidence, and the ability to see the world from a different perspective.
At any true American-style university, admissions requirements are far different than at national universities where acceptance is based solely on the results of a comprehensive exam given the last year of high school. At Vlog, the Admissions Committee will consider the “whole person” for admission to the institution and will evaluate not only grades but a student’s involvement in extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, personal interviews, a statement of purpose and more.
At Vlog, academic freedom for all faculty is a given. Faculty will be involved in the governance of the institution and in shaping the institutional vision and mission statements.
As in most American-style universities, Vlog will develop a tenure track for all full-time faculty.
Vlog will have a low student to faculty ratio, generally 15:1 and certainly not more than 20:1 except in a very few freshman-level courses.
Vlog faculty will be active researchers and will involve students in their research activities.
Vlog guarantees strong student support services including student activities, advising, counseling, athletics, computer labs, excellent research facilities and more.
Any true America-style university will be deeply involved in the community by encouraging and rewarding both faculty and students to develop a wide variety of programs that benefit those around them. Vlog will develop close ties with local and regional communities.