UM has been incorporating more PBL segments into its classes for a while as have most of the schools. This has nothing to do with Dean Polverini. There were curriculum changes set to take place with you guys anyway, regardless of the dean search. But be rest assured, UM isn't going to turn into USC or even Indiana. PBL isn't all bad. It can be very useful to help you see how the science you learn relates to patient care. It's also a nice break from all of the gung-ho science all the time, that wears on you after a while. But all PBL all the time (even if just a class and not the entire curriculum) IMO is dumb. But hey, that's just me. If you have some more questions, feel free to let me know. But don't worry, you'll still have more lectures that you can handle.