Rick CaronMath professor Richard Caron discusses opportunities for graduate research with undergraduate students during a retreat April 22 at the Fogolar Furlan Club.

Math students crunch numbers on undergrad experience

A retreat April 22 gave students in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics a chance to discuss the results of a survey on their experiences.

Sixteen members of the Mathematics and Statistics Student Association joined department head Richard Caron and learning specialist Justin Lariviere, said president Katherine Vrantsidis. The association had circulated the survey to gauge undergraduate satisfaction and retention.

“A wide range of matters affecting the undergraduate experience were discussed, such as course offerings, textbooks, tutoring, the Mathematics and Statistics Learning Centre, and extra-curriculars,” Vrantsidis said. “We also discussed recruitment, retention, research opportunities, graduate school, and careers in mathematics.”

She called it “encouraging” to see so many students invested in helping the department improve, and expressed hope that the information will help it to better meet student needs.

Dr. Caron said it will: the students provided excellent feedback that will definitely impact future decisions.”