Hamilton, ON – In a move that’s being called “bold” by some and “bonkers” by others, McMaster University has unveiled its latest innovation: redacting all past course outlines and replacing future ones with… cryptic riddles. That’s right, students hoping to get a sneak peek into their upcoming semester will now need to channel their inner Sherlock.
“We believe in the element of surprise,” said Dr. Nachos and Dr. Chair, the university’s freshly minted Deans of Enigmas. “Why give students a roadmap when we can give them a maze?”
Drawing inspiration from the McMaster Health Science program’s infamous OCAT assessment, Dr. Chair mused, “If we can assess students in mysterious ways, why not introduce a sprinkle of that mystery right from day one? No more silver platters, it’s all about the silver linings now.”
Students have had mixed reactions to the announcement ranging from “Is this a joke?’ to ‘No, seriously, is this a joke?” Some appreciate the challenge, like first-year BHSc students working on their final inquiry project, who were found setting up a Riddle Support Group (RSG) booth at the university’s annual club fest.
Others, however, are less enthusiastic. “I just wanted to know if I needed to buy a textbook,” lamented one first year student. “Now I have to decipher a haiku.”
The university has also hinted at further changes to come, including replacing course syllabi with treasure maps and turning exams into full-blown scavenger hunts, brought to you by the Health Science Department’s innovative education strategies.
The Procrastinator 