Curriculum Review at Brown Opposes Stiffer Requirements

A Brown University advisory committee which is reviewing the school's curriculum, plans to advise the university not to institute distribution requirements committee members said yesterday.

The proposal not yet in its final form comes as part of the first full scale review of Brown's New Curriculum a program begun 13 years ago. Brown president Howard Swearer established the committee, which includes students faculty and administrators, last fall to determine if changes should be made in the program. Professor Joseph Gurland, a member of the 24-person committee said yesterday.

Jim Adelstein '84, a student member of the committee, said yesterday the curriculum should not be considered easy because of the lack of distribution requirements. "This is an unfair and unjust assumption. Brown is one of the most rigorous things. I have ever been through he said, adding. "Freedom is not the same thing as leniency."

Although the committee's power is limited to making recommendations, Adelstein said he believes the Faculty will probably accept the presidential committee's suggestions.

The advisory body consists of four sub committees to examine general requirements, specific curriculum improvements, the grading system and senior year concentration. The committee meets weekly, alternating between full and sub committee sessions.

Adelstein said that meetings have been somewhat unfocused since the review committee has no fixed goals, but added that meetings are becoming more productive.

The curriculum review is sceduled to continue this spring and possibly throughout next year.