Graduating students who vaguely remember receiving their portfolio project as a freshman in English 110 may be relieved the project is a voluntary effort and not a graduation requirement.

But that’s not a reason to dismiss the green folders, university officials said.

The project began in the 1995-96 school year as a pilot project dispersed to five sections of English 110 classes each semester. Each year the project has grown, with last year being the first year when all freshmen were expected to participate.

The purpose behind the project is for the university to assess how well the goals of the baccalaureate degree are being accomplished. At the same time, the university can use it as a tool for assessing student academic achievement.

“We’ve had sporadic responses,” said Jan Morse, chair of the University Assessment Committee, adding that they have received more this year from students.

Morse said the project benefits the university and students. She said it allows the university to make changes for the better, and that the better quality of the education at the university, the stronger the degree that the students earn will be in the eyes of employers.

Morse added that about half of the majors at the university require students to make a portfolio, and this project can aid them in making their required portfolio.

The portfolios are not required, but students are encouraged to participate.

“There is an expectation and a request from the university for the students to help make the university better,” Morse said.

Charles Hanson, associate English professor, has his students work on the portfolio in his English 110 class.

“I want them to finish the course with a body of writing … a collection of papers they can be proud of,” said Hanson, adding that students can use the papers when applying for graduate school.

Morse said that majors such as education need portfolios like this to apply for jobs.

She said, “Students see it as additional work, but it really isn’t.”