Petition to waive the university mathematics requirement - Essay Example

he intends and to finish taking up law in the soonest possible time to help his community without having lost anything on his part and on the part of the institution. The basic questions that he proposed to answer in the article are, “Why do I need college algebra (MAT-117)? Is college algebra necessary for studying American Indian law? Will I use college algebra in my chosen field? What will the University gain or lose, from my taking college algebra or not?” (Adams par.6). The answer in all these questions is no.

College Algebra is not necessary in American Indian law and in the practice of law in general. This was affirmed by a practicing lawyer. “In this netherworld, algebra and justice exist independently of one another” (par. 13). He further affirms that “I assure this committee that despite not having a formal accreditation in algebra, I will prove to be nothing less than an asset to this University and its Indian community” (par.15). If he be allowed to graduate, he will be able to help out his own community and other Native Americans as he intends and his practical experiences in life has proven that he is competent in his chosen path with or without the required Algebra subjects.

On the other hand, permitting him not to finish the math courses will prevent him from having a well-rounded college experience and will not place him in equal footing with all of the other students of the University. The ASU catalog contains that the basic math requirements are necessary “(1) for a minimum level of math competency in my chosen field, and (2) to satisfy the university math requirement in order to graduate” (par. 7). All other students are required to take the subjects and Adams is not the only one who is in his advanced age enrolled in the.

There is a main action expected in the end of the essay. This would be alllowing Gordon Adams to forego taking the Algebra subjects, which would enable him to graduate as he intends and to finish taking up law in the soonest possible time to help his community without having lost anything on his part and on the part of the institution. Another available option arises in the essay. On the other hand, permitting him not to finish the math courses will prevent him from having a well-rounded college experience and will not place him in equal footing with all of the other students of the University.

Another point that an essay focuses on is equality. All other students are required to take the subjects and Adams is not the only one who is in his advanced age enrolled in the university. Everyone must be in equal footing since they are all within the same institution. Letting him bypass university rules will give an unwarranted precedence wherein other students may think they could apply for the same privilege on lesser grounds. The goals of the university are enshrined in the courses that they have set for every student and in this case it includes completing basic math requirements.

In the conclusion of the essay, we see that despite these arguments, Gordon Adams must be allowed to waive the two math subjects required by the university only because he has showed evidence that he is a competent student and that the skills that the subjects aim to hone are those which he already possesses.