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Yes _and_ ... the same issues also apply to the UCs. E.g. there's been a lot of recent discussion about Berkeley increasing the size of its incoming class by a
by abeppu 5y ago
Yes _and_ ...
the same issues also apply to the UCs. E.g. there's been a lot of recent discussion about Berkeley increasing the size of its incoming class by a third. But my understanding is there was never a plan to increase faculty by the same proportion, or a plan to create 1/3 more classrooms.
After having pushed so hard to bring instruction back to campus, Berkeley is asking a significant share of incoming freshman to do only online classes, which both increases the burden on faculty and removes some opportunities from those students.
In 4 years will we see the graduation rate drop because class registration became more competitive and competent students cannot meet all their requirements? Will the distribution of majors change towards those that are most compatible with a hybrid, "I'm not sure whether I'll get a seat in the room" instruction?
- thaumasiotes 5y ago> the same issues also apply to the UCs. E.g. there's been a lot of recent discussion about Berkeley increasing the size of its incoming class by a third. Well, no, the reason there's been a lot of recent discussion about Berkeley's class size is that a local activist group got a judge to say it was illegal for Berkeley to increase admissions.
- sdenton4 5y agoAnd to be really clear, activist == nimbys, not actual activists.
- Dracophoenix 5y agoWhy are NIMBYs not activists? I've always found it odd that the same people whose property is taxed are told they shouldn't have a say in what's built with the money and are wrong for protesting such projects.
- abeppu 5y agoThe fact that there are local and state political forces involved making arguments you may disagree with does not mean these issues (student:faculty ratios, classroom space, etc) don't apply.
- thaumasiotes 5y agoIt makes them irrelevant. There's only one issue at play with Berkeley's expansion: they're supposed to file an environmental impact report. Student:faculty ratios and classroom space aren't part of the discussion.