University of Alabama updates

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Our core had been extremely bloated since the 1980's. We required over 50+ core hours, which was far more than any University in the SEC and the Big Ten. The new core is culled down to the 32-35 credit hour range. A lot more useful meat (English, writing, learning how to get available resources, hands-on learning, etc.) than BS. A lot of prospective students who were interested in Engineering or Basic Sciences (STEM) claimed too much time was spent taking these core classes vs. classes for their majors. I remember all the labs in Chemistry and Biology, where I spent at least four hours a week, would only count as one hour of credit. But, you still had to fulfill the 52 hours of core, too. This core will go a long way in recruitment of STEM students and increase graduation rates. But, with the thought that has been put into the new core (where part is tailored to the individual student), it will produce more educational bang for the buck. Getting students involved, outside the classroom, will pay dividends, also. This core is not just a reduction of credit hours, it is an innovative modern core that makes it unique and more valuable.