Three off-campus programs were recently approved at last week’s staff meeting as affiliated program options for students. The new options will provide opportunities for students to study in Australia, Uganda, and Southern Oregon. Now that these programs are affiliated, students can apply for Houghton financial aid to go off-campus with them. However, only four students per semester will be granted the approval to receive this aid.
Marcus Dean, Director of Off-Campus Studies, shared that Houghton has chosen to approve these programs for a few different reasons. Faculty gathered to vote and discuss each of the reasons before approval.
Houghton previously ran their own Australian studies program which is currently on hold. Not wanting to limit students’ options, the Off-Campus Studies Committee recommended the approval of the Australia Studies Program through the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). Students from Houghton have yet to participate in this program.
Recent alumna Amanda Monday Buckley (’14) had nothing but positive things to say about her USP experience. She said, “I still am talking about the most wonderful four months of my life where my eyes were opened and my worldview changed drastically. I had an extremely positive experience… I left a piece of myself over there and I dream of when I can visit East Africa again.” Upon hearing the news of the recent approval she went on to say, “I am so happy it is finally approved because I loved it and I think other Houghton students would enjoy it too.”
At one time, Houghton College was the transcript school for the Oregon Extension (OE). Meaning, students who participated in the program received Houghton College credits on their transcripts. Dean explained that about ten years ago, Houghton made the decision to discontinue their relationship with the OE, as our core values did not align. Because of this, students were not allowed to participate in the OE for a number of years. Dean discussed that the OE has completely new leadership and professors so he considers it to be the “OE 2.0.”
Senior Holly Chaisson spent the fall 2015 semester at the OE. When asked about her experience in the program she said, “My experience at the OE was extremely positive….this opportunity allowed me to structure my studies around my niche interests and was an exercise in academic independence and creativity.” She said the experience “reinvigorated” her academically and reaffirmed her vocational aspirations. According to Chaisson, “The OE is a radically different type of college experience, one that offers students a slower and deliberately paced way of life, one invested in both deep thought and in community.”
Senior Allyson Murphy also went with Chaisson to the OE. She said, “I was given an opportunity to think in a capacity not as readily available at Houghton. College life is stressful. . . Multiple commitments bog down the average dedicated college student. The OE simply asks that students intentionally read, discuss, and reflect in communal openness. . . I still daily think about the work I was able to do at the OE.” About the cultural experiences she was able to engage in, she shared, “My group went backpacking in the Trinity Alps of Northern California for a week, the Oregon Coast, and San Francisco. Each of those trips were incredible.”
Despite having incredible experiences, Buckley, Chaisson, and Murphy each had to creatively fund their experiences with grants, loans, and small scholarships since their programs had not yet been approved by Houghton and they could not take their financial aid with them.
As the Director of Off-Campus studies, Dean recommends students interested in creating their own off-campus experiences should discuss options with their advisors.
