Successfully preserving the FLA Program due to student and faculty backing
Holy Cross Students and Faculty Successfully Save Beloved FLA Program
In a remarkable display of unity, the students and faculty of the College of the Holy Cross have managed to save one of the school's cherished programs - the Foreign Language Assistant (FLA) program.
The FLA program, a hallmark of the College's World Languages department for over 20 years, invites advanced English-speaking students from nine countries to join the campus community for a semester. These students not only enrich the academic environment but also coordinate culturally-rich activities to educate students about life in their home countries.
The decision to terminate the FLA program came as a shock to the FLAs, several professors in the World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures departments, and the student body. The administration announced the termination primarily for budgetary reasons. However, the past few weeks have been a testament to what the students and faculty can achieve when working together towards a common goal.
Erin McCaffrey '25, a French and Political Science major, took the lead and created a petition with nearly 1000 signatures for the cause. Students stepped up, creating petitions, sending emails, and fighting for the FLA program to remain. Several professors also signed a petition, joining the call for the reversal of the cancellation of the FLA program.
The administration has since reversed their decision to end the FLA program after productive discussions with faculty. This victory is a testament to the power of student and faculty collaboration and the value that the FLA program holds for the College of the Holy Cross.
Every Holy Cross student knows about the FLAlidays, a yearly tradition in which the FLAs cook traditional dishes from their home countries. The FLAs also lead practicums for students taking introductory and intermediate classes in World Languages. As full-time students at the College, they take classes alongside the students they teach in practicum.
The FLA program will remain for years to come, thanks to the efforts of students and faculty. This is a significant win for the College of the Holy Cross and a testament to the importance of preserving cultural exchange programs on campus.
For more specific details about the FLA program, we recommend contacting the College of the Holy Cross directly through their language department or international programs office for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
- The students and faculty of College of the Holy Cross have demonstrated the power of collaboration, successfully saving the Foreign Language Assistant (FLA) program, a cherished program in the World Languages department.
- Erin McCaffrey '25, a Political Science and French major, led the student body in a petition with nearly 1000 signatures to save the FLA program.
- The FLA program enriches the academic environment, inviting advanced English-speaking students from nine countries to join the campus community for a semester.
- In addition to academic enrichment, the FLAs coordinate culturally-rich activities, educating students about life in their home countries.
- The FLA program will remain for years to come, providing opportunities for skills training, personal growth, education-and-self-development, career-development, and learning in a diverse, multicultural environment.
- The reversal of the decision to end the FLA program is a victory for education, community, and tradition at College of the Holy Cross, and a testament to the importance of preserving cultural exchange programs.
- To learn more about the FLA program, students and interested parties can contact the College of the Holy Cross directly through their language department or international programs office.
- The FLA program is not only an essential part of the College of the Holy Cross, but it also complements the school's mission in sports, arts, and other extracurricular activities, fostering a well-rounded education and personal growth for all students.
