There’s Business and Then There’s B.I.S.-ness

One promise that CLA makes to all its students is to provide a well-rounded education. For junior Cynthia Piette, that promise became a catalyst for her choice of major.

Piette arrived, like most CLA students, with more than one academic interest and career goal. So when she was faced with the difficult decision of choosing a major, Piette couldn’t pick just one.

Fascinated by many subjects and themes, Piette was unsatisfied with idea of pursuing only one major. Her problem was solved when she discovered CLA’s Bachelor of Individualized Studies Program (B.I.S). The B.I.S. is an alternative degree program that provided the flexibility Piette was seeking.

“With a B.I.S I’m not limited to studying one subject,” Piette said. Instead of completing a major within a single field, B.I.S. students focus their coursework on three areas of concentration, one of which may be outside CLA.

When she entered college Piette had not yet decided whether she wanted to study business, “so I took random CLA classes, which got me interested in communications and political science, too,” she explains. “[If I hadn’t taken time to explore different subjects,] I never would have found two of my passions and might have been disappointed with my college experience. Now, all I can think about are the amazing opportunities that may be available to me after graduation. Being a CLA student. . . opened the opportunity for me.”

Working with a B.I.S. adviser, students develop program proposals that explain why their academic needs are best met by an individualized program and list the courses they will take to complete it. The B.I.S. proposal must be approved by faculty or department advisers with expertise in the areas of concentration.

“My B.I.S. adviser helped me out by discussing my interests with me, and then suggesting classes that I might try to be sure that a B.I.S. was right for me,” Piette says. “It turns out it was!”

Getting on Board

Satisfied with her major choice, Piette found that a well-rounded college experience also meant getting involved in extracurricular activities.

After spotting an ad in The Minnesota Daily for CLA Student Board membership, Piette immediately got involved. The CLA Student Board represents CLA students in policymaking to build community within the college. Piette is currently the internal committee chair for the 2004-2005 academic year.

“I lead the internal committee in planning board bonding events, retreats, and community service projects,” Piette says. “The internal committee also takes care of updating our constitution, and assisting CLA staff on projects.”

So far Piette has been involved in numerous activities set up by the CLA Student Board such as taking trips to nursing homes to deliver Christmas cards and play bingo, and helping organize board retreats and majors fairs.

But for Piette, the people she’s met while being involved with the student board are what make board membership so valuable.

“The people I’ve met are by far the greatest part of being on the board,” Piette says. “It is amazing how friendly, knowledgeable, and outgoing everyone is.”

According to Piette, the CLA Student Board is a valuable resource for CLA because it is a platform for students to improve not only CLA, but the University and its student experience overall.

“The value of an education is priceless,” Piette says. “I have been able to explore many avenues that have helped make me a better person.”

Cynthis Piette graduated from the University in Fall of 2005 with a major of BIS.

About this profile: first published Spring 2005; written by Brad Spychalski (B.A., History, 2005)