Academic History

2011-2012

• Decided to offer Portuguese Language collaboration with MIT.
• Received ACE/Alfred P. Sloan Award for Innovative Faculty Retirement Practices in recognition of best practices in culmination of three stages of faculty careers.
• Team-Teaching initiative launched for three-year period.
• Hosted inaugural Women in Public Service Summer Institute as part of the US Department of State initiative.

2010-2011

• Steering Committee for Evaluating Building Utilization and Renovation Strategies (EBURS) is formed to outline a comprehensive plan for capital improvements.
• Planning initiatives are underway for the Science Center, Pendleton West, Founders/Green Halls and Fitness/Sports/Wellness program.
• New position of Associate Provost and Academic Director of Diversity and Inclusion established.
• Wellesley-Olin-Babson Tri-Campus Sustainability Certificate Program begins.

2009-2010

• Opening of Madeleine Korbel Albright Institute for Global Affairs 2009/10
• Appointment of a Director for the Three-College Collaboration to enhance collaborative programming among Wellesley, Olin, and Babson
• Report of the Academic Planning Committee: approval by Academic Council of a First Year seminar program and pilot offerings of group independent research; reconfiguration of the Curriculum Committee; appointment of Faculty Advisor to the President for International Activities.
• Change of academic governance structure from Dean of the College to Provost and Dean of the College.

2007-2008

Certificate in Engineering Studies from Olin College approved

2006-2007

• First-year distinction eliminated
• Major in South Asia Studies implemented.
• American Sign Language (ASL) approved as meeting foreign language requirement.

2005-2006

• Introduction of Korean language instruction
• Creative Writing concentration within the English major implemented
• "Introduction to engineering" course piloted

2004-2005

• Major in Media Arts and Sciences implemented
• Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures created
• New grading policy goes into effect

2003-2004

• Resolution on new grading policy adopted

2002-2003

• Introduction of Arabic language instruction
• Cross-registration with Olin College of Engineering begins in the spring.

2001-2002

First Tanner Conference: students and alumnae report on off-campus internships

2000-2001

• Vienna exchange program begins, Konstanz exchange program ends
• Development of online courses for distance learning in collaboration with Global Education Network

1999-2000

• Study abroad program in Bologna started as part of the Eastern College Consortium (Vassar, Wellesley, Wesleyan)
• New class schedule goes into effect creating "community time"

1999

Summer school offered for the first time

1997-1998

• Knapp Media and Technology Center opens
• Exchange program with the Ewha Womans University, Korea, begins

1996-1997

• First Ruhlman Conference for student presentations to the college community
• Exchange program with the Universidad de San Adres, Argentina, begins
• Wellesley-in-Mexico program begins.
• Revision of multicultural requirement
• INCIPIT ended
• Revised standard for Latin Honors

1995-1996

• Curriculum Review completed (started in 1993/94)
• Introduction of half-unit courses
• Revision of Distribution Requirements
• INCIPIT (a team-taught course) begins

1994-1995

• Study abroad program in Japan (Doshisha Univ.) started as part of the Associated Kyoto Program (AKP) which consists of a consortium of 16 U.S. institutions.
• Exchange programs with the Univ. of Manchester and the Lancaster Univ. in Great Britain begin
• First-Year Cluster Program ended

1993-1994

• Review of the curriculum initiated (completed in 1995/96)
• January program in Mexico begins in the winter of 1994; ends January 1998.

1992-1993

Learning and Teaching Center opens

1990-1991

• CE Program named Elizabeth Davis Degree Program
• First-Year Cluster Program begins

1989-1990

• Multicultural requirement initiated

• 10-Year reaccredidation of College

1988-1989

• Summer Enrichment program for First-Year students begins
• Interdisciplinary First-Year Cluster program for First-Year students ends

1988-1989

Four-course teaching load implemented

1987-1988

Academic minor begins

1985-1986

Wellesley's Association with the Middlebury College program in Russia begins

1984-1985

• Interdisciplinary First-Year Cluster program for First-Year students begins
• Wellesley-Brandeis cross-registration program begins Exchange program with the University of Constance (Konstanz) begins. Ends in 1999/2000.

1983-1984

• Expository writing requirement for First-Year students reinstated
• Dual degree program with MIT begins
• Study abroad program in Aix, France begins

1982

• Academic Council voted to establish academic (Latin) honors, beginning with the Class of 1983: magna cum laude, summa cum laude, cum laude
• Pinanski prize established to honor fine teaching

1981-1982

Wellesley program in Cordoba, Spain begins (PRESHCO: Programa de Estudios Hispanicos en Cordoba)

1974

Wellesley-Spelman exchange programs begins

1969-1970

• Twelve College Exchange program begins

• Wellesley joins the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies (ICCS) in Rome, Italy, and students first enrolled in the 1970 spring semester.
• Continuing Education program begins

1968

• ​Cross/registration program with M.I.T. begins; the first of a number of exchange arrangements available to students. 1968
• Curriculum revised to eliminate required English and Bible courses and the General Exam

1953

Graduate program in Hygiene and Physical Education ended

1950

Interdepartmental majors first offered

1943

Washington Internship program begins (in the 1970's other internship opportunities were added)

1928

All students must take a General Exam on their major field of study

1926-1927

First junior year abroad (in 1980's Wellesley greatly expands study abroad programs)

1923

1909

1891

1880

Preparatory department discontinued

1879

First commencement, 18 students graduate

1878-1879

Schools of Music and Art open

1875