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Show Page The Dixie Sun 4 January 17, 1995 Opinion Editor: David Johnson Cancelling classes for low enrollment unfair to students When students sign up for a class, they do so for a variety of reasons, one of which may be to fulfill a credit required by their major. What happens when only the small group who stick with this major to the end sign up for that class? If there are fewer than 10, Dixie College's newest policy dictates that the class be cancelled. Students are left to spend an unnecessary amount of time and energy looking for another way to reach their goal. Sometimes this search leads them away from Dixie to a different school. Not only does this policy undermine the educational objective of the college, but it gives the impression that the college is only out to make a buck. If students see a class offered in the course catalog, they assume they can attend it if they sign up on time. The professor may have already put a lot of energy and time into preparing that class. It is a dissappointment when a class isn't held because there are nine students instead of 10. What is the point of this policy? To save money? Is a small class less worthy of college funds than an overcrowded one? And what about the benefits of a small class? It is a common complaint amongst teachers and students that there is not enough interaction in the classroom; that there's not enough opportunity to work with a student on an individual level. If the mission of the college is to make money (and we know it is not), how much can one class cost? Students provide their own books and most of their own materials. Perhaps the cost of chalk and a few worksheets is too much to bear. How might we solve this dilemma? Evaluate classes individually. If the professor feels the class is worth offering and the students want it badly enough to take a stand, then the class should be held. It is understood that some classes are used to grab an easy credit, and in those cases the students would probably not protest. It would be legitimate to drop the class since students with this attitude can transfer into another ' well-distribut- ed one-on-o- ne nt easy-cred- it class. The opinions expressed above represent the collective voice of the Dixie San editorial board. The board meets each Tuesday at 10:30 a. in. in the Student Publications office. Visitors are BALZkDAGK Letters to the Editor Column insulted reader Editor: I have a hard time inhaling what Mary Jane Reber has to say about "Keys to Identifying Liberals." Excuse me, Mary Jane, but just where do you get your facts and info from? Your article represents ignorance in its worse fashion. Are you a local? Surprising if you're not, because the knowledge you shed is a bit distorted and it seems you've been secluded from life outside your bedroom window. The 15 points you've indicated as "Identifying a Liberal" are sad not true nor funnv but sad. Obviously we, the read- ers, can see right through you. Hey, Mary Jane, have you ever rolled your name up and smoked it? Well, to give you a hint on what happens after that.. .imagine your narrow views opening up a bit, they start to widen a little more. BAM! You realize that there is sun shining on the other side of your guarded wall. Yes! You finally realize that the life St. George has of provided you is very naive and natures wonderful ways of diversity. I was offended by your ignorance. Now please, before you assume anything else publicly, consider the weakness behind your work. Dixie College is small, religiously influenced, and completely blind of a real "college scene." Your article "Keys to Identifying Liberals" was a St. George classic. I mean, if you only knew what was really going on. Danny Gallegos Commending Croshaw Editor: I realize that by the time this reaches the press it will be old news, but I feel it important to commend coach Greg Croshaw for suspending the eight football players who were involved in the brawl. I was amazed to read in the paper that so many students felt they should not have been suspended because "it didn't happen on campus." While neither the Institute Building or the classes given there are a part of the campus or its curriculum, it is still an integral part of campus life. Also, the Palms Apartments house a large number of Dixie students, so what happens there reflects on the college to a large degree. There are a few who seem to think they can get away with all kinds of mayhem, simply because they play football and unfortunately they have been getting away with it. These few have affected the reputation of the football team as a whole, and I am grateful for Coach Croshaw's courage to take a stand in the matter The subsequent bowl win proves these few are not as indispensable as they think they are! Darlene Self What do you think about the arbitrary cancellation of Jason Nielson, 24, professional flight major, sophomore, Rigby, Idaho: "I think the school has an obligation to provide core classes. I think there is more of an educational obligation. Education should have more priority than economic or financial reasons. That's why Dixie College is here, it's for education. Valerie Jordan, 20, general education major, sophomore, St. John, Ariz.: "I don't know , . , about that. It messes up 1 some people's sched- y ules. If the courses come f V erty, in series, the students can't complete the series before they graduate. Also, I think if it's advertised in the course catalog it should be offered. If isn't, it's false advertising." low-enrollme- Janis Kirkland, 42, science major, freshman, Washington, Utah: "I think they should hold classes even if there is only one student there. Professors might lose their jobs. They ought to funnel more government money to help cover this problem. I think they should keep series classes so students can keep going in their careers." nt classes? Creed Watkins, 17, business administration major, freshman, Conroe, Texas: "If they don't have the money for it, they don't have the money. I think they should plan things a little better. They should make sure they have the funds before they offer the class. A survey of what classes students were interested in would be a good idea." |