G Bm
Lord, I want to know You, in my heart there is a fire,
C D C D
Every morning when I wake up, it’s You that I desire.
G Bm C D Em
Just to feel Your heartbeat is what I long for,
D C C D Em
Oh Lord, I want to know you more,
D C C D G C G
Oh Lord, I want to know you more!

Words and Music by Leah Lusecky

As Pastor Dom says, old songs such as this are so simple yet so meaningful and impactful.

This is turning into an amazing tale.

It all began a little more than 2 years ago when we were deciding to take GEM2503 Thinking Science on Computers and was wondering if we could use it to fulfill our ULR Breath requirements. So we sent to following email to our school’s administrator:

Hi,

the following quote is from the ULR circular from the Registrar’s Office dated 16 Dec 2003.

“*The University recognises that some students may encounter in fulfilling the University Level Requirements for Breadth modules. To help students, the University has agreed to allow General Education Modules (GEMs) to be counted for Breadth requirements. Students must, however, seek the advice of the Dean’s Office of their respective Faculties/Schools with regard to the GEMs that can count towards the Breadth requirements.”

With respect to the quote, I would like to ask which GEMs can count towards the Breadth requirements.

to which the reply was

Hi,

Yes, extra GEMs outside SoC taken in sem 2, 2002-3 and after can be used

On another occasion, we enquired again and got a reply that it’s acceptable as long as the module is not offered by SoC and that we are not precluded from it. We regret not keeping that email conversation so cannot quote their exact response.

Now after failing to file for graduation (ffg), a reply to my enquiry is that “GEM2503 and GEK1531 are modules related to Computing that cannot fit into the breadth definition.” Ok so now I have been screwed over by the school admin. But this is not all. My attempts to request for a list of such GEM modules and avenue for appeal have so far been ignored with the reply to”Please change your module selection this semester so that you have a breadth module to meet ULR.”

Like I would obediently conform to their request. What we’re suspecting is that there isn’t even an official list or stand that the school is taking, and we intend to find out who’s in charge of the decision. By right it should be the curriculum committee but as of now I cannot seem to get a hold of any official statement or circular on this matter. It seems that all we can trust are emails from the admin staff.

Right now we’re just waiting for their final reply on Monday when the office opens before marching down to the deanery’s office and see what they got to say about this. It’s not so much of not being able to use a module which I have chosen. If I feel the reason is valid and justified, then by all means I’ll choose another, after all Breath does means something outside the focus of our major.

The issue at hand now is the inconsistency and lack of an official standing of the school. And also we want to know how and a more detailed reason than “related to Computing”. Like who and what determines how related is related? In addition, the FFG system and any “official” site we got are filled with disclaimers. So how are we to ensure that we’re not going to be screwed up later in the semester when we cannot change our modules?

You can be sure this issue will be brought up at the Undergrad meeting scheduled sometime soon. Meanwhile I’ll be trying for another module which I feel should be easier and more fun, but that doesn’t mean I’ll drop this issue. It’s a matter of principle after all and something has to be done else it will just happen again.