LA Times: 'Desperate' UC students scurry to snag key classes

[marmar]

'Desperate' UC students scurry to snag key classes
Some courses have hundreds wait-listed as the new term begins. Many students fear they won't get the classes needed to graduate on time -- and with higher fees, may not be able to afford an extra year

By Larry Gordon
January 20, 2010


The Greek mythology class has long been popular at UC Santa Barbara, but never quite like this.

For the current term, 500 students are enrolled in Professor Apostolos Athanassakis' classics course, filling the lecture hall to capacity. And 300 others have tried, mostly unsuccessfully, to land a spot on the roster, he said.

Recent state funding cuts have translated to reductions in undergraduate course offerings across the beachside campus, sending students scurrying for classes such as Athanassakis' that fulfill various requirements.

The professor said it's "the most desperate" start to a winter quarter that he can recall in 41 years of teaching at UC Santa Barbara.

"There is confusion and fear. The students don't know what to do," said Athanassakis, whose course includes readings on battles, schemes and romances from Homer and Hesiod. "They're afraid they may not be able to graduate."

That story is being repeated across the University of California system as the new term begins. Students complain that fewer course offerings -- reductions of up to 11% on some campuses compared with a year ago -- will make it harder for them to graduate on time. And in an era of steep student fee hikes, finishing promptly or early is an urgent priority for many. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-classes20-2010jan20,0,4770272.story

[RainDog]

1. Ahnuld has done a real number on education in CA

the truth of the matter is that a great nation and a strong democracy has a strong public university system.

before cutting class numbers, I wonder if any administrative positions were cut?

I spoke with someone from CA the other day who said all k-12 teachers who had been hired before 2004 had been laid off from their jobs in Orange Co. does anyone know if this is true?

how can CA remain viable as a state without taxes to educate its children?

[gauguin57]

2. Wow. I'd sign up for that class after merely hearing the professor's name.

Apostolos Athanassakis!!!