Staff editorial
There’s a buzz going around campus about possible schedule changes.
Currently Pepperdine is on a Monday, Thursday and Tuesday, Friday schedule. With the implementation of the schedule change, classes will be held three days a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or two days a week on Tuesday, Thursday.
The Seaver Faculty Association (SFA) is changing the schedule for a reason. Currently, everyone complains about space. There is not enough lab space for biology and chemistry class, there isn’t enough parking, and there aren’t enough classrooms to hold classes. Rather than expanding campus again, spend millions of dollars, the SFA has decided to try and use time more efficiently.
But the price of efficiency is high. Revamping the entire class schedule is not what Pepperdine needs.
There are thousands of questions that have to be answered, but students and faculty have to take the time to ask them. There ought to be a forum for discussion (not debate), so students, faculty and the members of the SFA who are planning the changes, can get together and talk out what is best for the most people.
With efficiency, the school could loose some of its uniqueness. Pepperdine is a university prided on having a broad curriculum. Such a curriculum accommodates the needs of various divisions already and has done so in the past. But, while some may benefit and jump for joy at the sight of a new schedule, most enjoy their familiar and easily manipulated schedule we already have.
The changes will pose an immense amount of questions. The SFA will have to take into consideration every aspect of campus life that will be affected.
This means shuttle schedules, parking situations, classroom assignments, and both student and faculty schedules will have to be worked out so the university can get the most out of the schedule shift.
While the change in schedule seems like it is ultimately the SFA’s decision, students and faculty can either support or not support the plan. Either way, they must be informed of what is even going on. After talking with professors, none of could give straight answers as to what the schedule change even meant because they had never been presented with the complete plan.
Take for example, Dr. Bob Chandler, Communications Division chair, who said that he’s probably seen about nine variations of the plan but hasn’t seen a finished complete version.
The key to getting everyone to know what the schedule change means is to get everyone involved and on the same page. SGA has to at least let students know that the SFA is considering a change in the schedule. This could be the student’s chance to speak up and really change something on campus.
The SFA also has to let their faculty know what the plan has in store for their class schedules, grading period, and office hours. Faculty is as important in the decision as students are.
From the discussions, everyone must take into consideration the hidden consequences. They must consider the fact that all students will be getting out of classes at the same time. Much like the halls in high school and the line to get out of the parking lot, campus will go through surges of people scrambling to get to and from classes. Students in theater programs might have to rework schedules to be able to prepare and perform in productions. Students will have to give up their class-free days because most will have to have classes every day. Upperclassmen will have problems planning their budding work careers around the last few classes they have to take.
There is more to this schedule change than meets the eye and people have to be aware of that.
They must know that it affects everyone and every aspect of Seaver College.
It is worth students’ time to get to know what is going on with the schedule change because their educations could be impacted in a big way.
03-23-2006