2008 Woodie Awards
Main Editorial
MSU's Five-Year Plan
Issue date: 10/21/04 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Did you know that Montclair State University is the second largest state university in New Jersey and that its enrollment and tuition figures rise every year? It's an interesting question, because while almost every MSU student can testify to the above, we sometimes wonder if the school itself can.
This week, with the release of the spring 2005 course catalog, students only hoping to enhance their college experiences through minors were reminded once again that in order to do so, they must, in some cases, realign their entire schedules or, even worse, consider signing up for another semester or two.
Would-be journalists who, having not been offered journalism as a major in the first place, must complete three required courses and three electives (out of eight possible) to complete the minor for a total of 18 credits. Easy, right? Unfortunately, no; only one of those eight electives will be offered this spring, meaning that if you're a senior who wishes to graduate this year, you'll have to either stick around or choose to not complete the minor at all.
The school is benefitting two-fold from this whole situation: either students pay for another semester of studies and, by diverting faculty and attention away from these courses, the university can spend more time appeasing the increasing number of freshman by reassigning professors.
There are solutions to these problems: for one thing, the school can start by closing the minor to freshman and allow the incumbent students to finish first. The school should also increase the mandatory number of courses that professors are made to teach here and also increase the number of faculty and professors here at MSU. Journalism has only one full time professor, who won't be teaching another class until at least fall 2005. More hands are needed, and if the school counters with the usual excuse of "budgetary concerns," ask yourself this: How much could that $300,000 in hotel rental charges have bought had it been spent towards more faculty?
The school is increasing in numbers and reputation; but as it does, it must adhere to the balance of cause and demand. It's only fair to the students whose careers depend on the education they receive here at MSU.
This week, with the release of the spring 2005 course catalog, students only hoping to enhance their college experiences through minors were reminded once again that in order to do so, they must, in some cases, realign their entire schedules or, even worse, consider signing up for another semester or two.
Would-be journalists who, having not been offered journalism as a major in the first place, must complete three required courses and three electives (out of eight possible) to complete the minor for a total of 18 credits. Easy, right? Unfortunately, no; only one of those eight electives will be offered this spring, meaning that if you're a senior who wishes to graduate this year, you'll have to either stick around or choose to not complete the minor at all.
The school is benefitting two-fold from this whole situation: either students pay for another semester of studies and, by diverting faculty and attention away from these courses, the university can spend more time appeasing the increasing number of freshman by reassigning professors.
There are solutions to these problems: for one thing, the school can start by closing the minor to freshman and allow the incumbent students to finish first. The school should also increase the mandatory number of courses that professors are made to teach here and also increase the number of faculty and professors here at MSU. Journalism has only one full time professor, who won't be teaching another class until at least fall 2005. More hands are needed, and if the school counters with the usual excuse of "budgetary concerns," ask yourself this: How much could that $300,000 in hotel rental charges have bought had it been spent towards more faculty?
The school is increasing in numbers and reputation; but as it does, it must adhere to the balance of cause and demand. It's only fair to the students whose careers depend on the education they receive here at MSU.