A course projection and staffing plan used to facilitate a curriculum change

The curriculum change for which these projections were made included eliminating traditional distribution requirements in favor of interdisciplinary programs and increased student electives. The plan allowed study of the staffing needs and anticipated effects upon departmental offerings. The projections provided estimates of the number of students who would take each type of course and indicated that the new curriculum could be staffed by eliminating previously required introductory courses. Updated each year, the plan served as a guide for departmental offerings and for the hiring of new faculty. The projection methods employed would be helpful for schools anticipating curricular changes or as a general guide in planning faculty allocations from year to year.The planning, initial costs, and evaluation of the curriculum were supported in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the George Gund Foundation, and the U.S. Office of Education. Reprints and additional information about the curriculum and these projections can be obtained from the Office of Records and Research, Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio 44234. The authors wish to acknowledge the encouragement and assistance of Hiram President Elmer Jagow, former Dean Wendell Johnson, and current Dean Robert MacDowell. The cooperation of the Hiram faculty and students is also gratefully acknowledged.