[SML] Aggregate hours for majors?

[Paul Schreiner]

> Measure it a semester at a time, so if something goes pear-shaped in a
> student's life, she has a hope of getting back on track.

Agreed.

> I've seen requirements ranging from 30 to 50 hours per credit depending on
> school and tasks included. Students either get credit or paid; no one works
> for free. If the experience is educational (and it should be) then credit
> should be offered and the time should be considered a lab component of a
> technical theatre class or a practicum experience.

Hmmm.  I don't see a fundamental issue with requiring a small number
of service hours as a criterion of remaining in good standing with the
department.  It's like being required to do a few community service
hours as part of a club that has other functions.  However, this
should not be the primary labor pool, but an adjunct to give the
students a chance to give back to the department and to broaden their
horizons.  And it should definitely not be burdensome to achieve.

> We're having good luck with a Monday evening session of hours as there are
> fewer class conflicts and the solid multi-hour block means a lot of work
> gets done without interruption.

Not always an option, depending on rehearsal schedules and whether
there is (a) a large enough (and separate, acoustically-isolated)
scene shop to handle it and (b) how this affects rehearsals when
you're at the installation part of the build.

> Ask students what skills they want to learn and strive to give them tasks to
> match. Have more experienced students help supervise less experienced ones.

Part of a healthy department culture, IMNSHO.