From too many students being packed into a classroom, to some courses not having a room at all, this semester’s room assignments do not suit the needs of students and professors. The lack of space and the sloppiness of this semester’s classroom assignments reflect ULV’s failure to prioritize our learning environment. Thus, the University needs to revamp its Master Plan process and focus on expanding classroom space so we do not run into such problems again.
Some classrooms are not large enough to accommodate the number of students enrolled in a course, so those expecting to be sitting in a classroom are now forced to squeeze in uncomfortably.
Even when classrooms fit the number of students, the assignment of certain classes still does not make sense. For example, some communications classes that ordinarily take place in the Arts and Communications Building now take place in the Barkley Building, or even in Founders Hall, which is across the campus. The same holds true for classes in a number of other departments. Faculty and students are forced to trek across campus rather than meet in classrooms closer to their departments’ offices. Large seminar classes have also been assigned to rooms that have half the number of seats as its stated capacity.
A large part of the problem is that classroom assigning is done one week before classes start, which creates for a rush-job, causing easily avoidable problems. This is compounded by students who wait until the semester starts to register for their classes. In order to prevent such problems, the deadlines for students to register for courses and for teachers to request classrooms should be pushed back so that the University has more time to remedy issues in assigning classrooms.
Additionally, ULV has stalled on constructing new classrooms and instead focusing on a parking structure and a new dorm, as well as the upcoming conversion of Davenport Dining Hall into a wellness center. A new academic building is planned near the Hoover Building, but we fear that by the time it is ready, it may be too little, too late.
Assigning classrooms to specific courses is no doubt an arduous task. However, this is not impossible and it has been done before. An increased number of courses and a limited number of classrooms has caused problems that should have been avoided.
Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Campus Times Editorial Board.