Budget cuts will raise class sizes, hurt quality of education
We are writing to express concern that recent and future budget cuts will have an impact on the quality of education here at the UA. As graduate students who teach English in the Writing Program, we have already seen budget cuts raise class sizes this semester. There are more class-size increases on board for spring. Future budget cuts will raise class sizes for English and writing courses, but it will also increase class sizes across campus in all departments. A low student-faculty ratio has a positive impact on student engagement, student motivation and quality of teaching. Low student-teacher ratios also have a positive impact on whether students finish their degrees.

National reports show that students respond more positively to higher levels of involvement in the classroom and feedback from teachers; this simply cannot happen when teachers are responsible for larger classes. President Shelton has said students may save tuition money with possible restructuring plans. However, saving tuition dollars should not be the only concern for students. Undergraduate students stand to receive a decreased quality of education when class sizes are raised, but they won’t receive the quality education being promised by the administration.

Undergraduate students should be extremely concerned about the quality of education they will receive in large classes. If the UA wants to be a world-class institution, then it must offer its students a world-class education – and that requires small class sizes and low teacher-to-student ratios.

Laura Gronewold & Stephanie Merz
graduate assistants

A backhanded compliment?
I am sending this electronic mail to you in regards to your most recent cover of the section of the paper known as WildLife. Not only is the subject matter of the article questionable in taste (condoms, really? Why not try abstinence?), the scandalous photo on the front page prevented me from even reading the article any further. I’m sure it was the intention of the photographer to show a glimpse of the male pubic region in a very suggestive manner. Clearly, it’s very offensive!

If I were being serious in any part of this letter, I’d likely be furious! Good job, everyone. Keep it up.

David Vick
theatre arts senior