Departments may be concerned with this policy restricting the rights of a teacher to set the intellectual content of courses. This proposal, however, allows teachers to choose a broad range of alternatives for their students. The current situation is also inconsistent. Some instructors may offer alternatives to some students, while others may not. Having a campus-wide policy will ensure all students are treated fairly all of the time.
Many students avoid careers in the life sciences because of dissection and vivisection requirements.
Students may find it easier to avoid classes altogether than confront the teacher, challenge the curriculum, and request an alternative. This is how some of our most compassionate students are shut out of careers in Life Sciences. Instructors need not worry that an influx of students will request alternatives. In states and districts where student choice policies have been implemented, requests for alternatives increase only slightly from year to year. Students may request alternatives if they are opposed to dissection because of religious or ethical reasons.