Last fall, Sacramento State required me to take the InformationCompetency Tutorial, a test administered through the library thatquestions your knowledge of the library and ability to use it. Ihad to pass this test to get class credit, even though it has norelevance to my life or any future successes and failures ofmine.

For example, the test module asks you to go to thelibrary’s database, type in “Greek cooking” intothe subject search area and document what comes up. The questionwill then ask, “How many entries appear regarding Greekcooking?” or, “Which of the following books is notlisted under “books found’?”

Unless you skipped middle and high schools, you should know howto use a library. This test is useless and a waste ofstudents’ time and money because of the miniscule percentageof the students at this school it might actually benefit; it is aninsult to the rest of the students who have legitimate exams toworry about. It’s an injustice that we cannot pass a classuntil we pass a test that has nothing to do with the course’scurriculum.

However much Sacramento State endorses the ICT as necessary, ithas nothing to do with being able to effectively use the library.One can ace this test and still not know how to actually look up abook; on the other hand, one can fail miserably but can go to ourmonstrous library and easily find what he or she is lookingfor.

The exam is mandatory for students enrolled in COMS 4 and COMS 5classes and must be completed with a passing score of 80 percent;otherwise, an “incomplete” is issued for the studentand that class. So an 80 percent on the test means you’recompetent, but a 79 percent means you’re not properlyqualified to use the library? Imagine having to pass biochemistrywith an 80 percent. What if all classes were as unfair as thistest, with credit only given for a “B-” or better? Idon’t know if the graduating class of 2004 would be all thatbig.

And how arbitrary are the classes this test accompanies? COMS 4is a public speaking course in which students learn how to writeand recite speeches. COMS 5, titled “CommunicationExperience,” is a course in which students learn how toeffectively communicate with one another. You can master the art ofinterpersonal communication, yet if you don’t pass thelibrary competency exam, it’s all for not.

Again, the randomness of this test can only be appreciated onceyou take it &- and now students in other majors may soon havethat opportunity.

“The Graduation Requirements Committee is currentlyrevising the policy to make this happen,” says Linda Goff,head of Sac State’s Instructional Services Office, addingthat all of the university’s departments are in the processof adopting the test. So now there will be other students like mewho will have to run through hell on paper sandals and experiencetaking the ICT.

For how much I love Sac State and the education I’mreceiving, the ICT is a condescending waste; voluntarily using thelibrary does not and should not need a test to accompany it. Howabout a mandatory library instructional tour instead? Studentswon’t look back on the ICT with much appreciation &- itdoesn’t show you what to do, it tells you, and no one learnsthat way.