Wharton begins class for freshman

In past years, many Wharton freshman finished their first semester without taking a single class in their home school. But beginning this year, the 440 incoming Wharton freshman will all take at least one class in the University's business school -- Wharton 101. According to Vice Dean Janice Bellace, the ten-week, non-credit class satisfies the new curriculum's communications requirement. "We feel that it is extremely important that Wharton students possess more than academic skills," Bellace said. "To be leaders in organizations, they will have to communicate well, be good listeners, work well in teams and inspire others to take on work." Stewart Friedman, director of the Wharton leadership program, said the new class will also provide a forum for students to discuss their role in the University and Wharton. The entire freshman class was divided into eight groups, or "cohorts" as they are called. According to Friedman, "The eight cohorts represent a demographic cross section of the freshman class." Bellace said that when the cohorts were determined, factors such as sex, race and place of birth were considered to ensure a diverse make-up of each group. "[Each cohort is] led by a group of two second-year MBA students, two upperclass undergraduate students and one instructor from the Wharton communication program," Friedman said. Each cohort is also split into "breakout" groups that are composed of 14 or 15 students. Friedman said the eight cohorts will each meet once a week for two hours while the breakout groups will meet three times during the semester for small group recitations. The class will culminate with each cohort taking on two projects ranging from renovating a West Philadelphia house to devising a new lost and found system for the University. "[The projects] create an opportunity for students to learn about teamwork, communication and leadership skills through participation in a real team-based activity," Friedman said. Wharton freshmen were generally receptive of the new class, though some expressed reservations yesterday. "I like the concept. They should keep doing it," Salvador Paiz said. "[But] they still aren't fully organized. Nobody did anything extremely productive [in the first class.]" "I think the leadership building approach is helpful," Tolga Latif said. "But I don't know how we will have all chiefs in the class and no indians." "It kind of got rid of my nervousness and intimidation about being at Wharton," Dhara Mehta said. "I'm willing to give the course a chance." But Wharton freshman Michael Cohen thought the first class was "a waste of time." "I may change my opinion of the course once the activities get started," Cohen said. "If they'd like us to do something like this they should go all the way and make this a full course and give us credit."

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