2008 Woodie Awards
Minor Mayhem
Course Shortage May Cause Late Graduation
Jessica Havery
Issue date: 10/21/04 Section: News
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Last week's release of the spring 2005 course catalog caused concern among journalism students who believe that a shortage of course offerings may prevent them from graduating this May.
"Students who decide to be journalism minors can't graduate on time unless they know from their freshman year that they want the minor," John Pietrowski, senior, English major and journalism minor said.
While students have complained amongst themselves, "[they] have not taken the issue to the right people," Dr. Larry Schwartz, chair of the English department, said.
"This is the first time I have heard about the issue," he said.
"I am concerned when students find it increasingly difficult to complete a major or a minor," Dan Bronson, associate professor of English, said.
"It is difficult [for students] to count on something that may, or may not, be offered a year from now when planning out their education."
The English department has 37 declared journalism minors, in comparison to the 100 students the department used to have over past years, Schwartz said.
"It was just a spike in student interest and enrollment," Schwartz said.
Students, such as Pietrowski, think additional courses would increase interest and participation in the journalism minor.
"Eventually [the department] will have to offer more courses or just get rid of the program," Pietrowski said.
Course scheduling is directly affected by student enrollment. If a course does not have sufficient enrollment, it isn not productive to compensate a professor for teaching four or five students when a large group of freshman demand an extra intro course, Schwartz said.
"I can add a course, but the level of interest and need is still a concern," Schwartz said.
"How would I know that the group of people interested in taking a specific course are all available for class at the same time!"
"In terms of graduating seniors in need of a course, [the department] is willing to work with the students to make sure that they do graduate on time," Schwartz said.
"Students who decide to be journalism minors can't graduate on time unless they know from their freshman year that they want the minor," John Pietrowski, senior, English major and journalism minor said.
While students have complained amongst themselves, "[they] have not taken the issue to the right people," Dr. Larry Schwartz, chair of the English department, said.
"This is the first time I have heard about the issue," he said.
"I am concerned when students find it increasingly difficult to complete a major or a minor," Dan Bronson, associate professor of English, said.
"It is difficult [for students] to count on something that may, or may not, be offered a year from now when planning out their education."
The English department has 37 declared journalism minors, in comparison to the 100 students the department used to have over past years, Schwartz said.
"It was just a spike in student interest and enrollment," Schwartz said.
Students, such as Pietrowski, think additional courses would increase interest and participation in the journalism minor.
"Eventually [the department] will have to offer more courses or just get rid of the program," Pietrowski said.
Course scheduling is directly affected by student enrollment. If a course does not have sufficient enrollment, it isn not productive to compensate a professor for teaching four or five students when a large group of freshman demand an extra intro course, Schwartz said.
"I can add a course, but the level of interest and need is still a concern," Schwartz said.
"How would I know that the group of people interested in taking a specific course are all available for class at the same time!"
"In terms of graduating seniors in need of a course, [the department] is willing to work with the students to make sure that they do graduate on time," Schwartz said.