Spring Break
It takes two to tango
Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Ed-Op
- Page 1 of 2 next >
This week's tragedy brought an unvisited Drexel-specific problem to mind.
It is obvious that the Virginia Tech community was already close-knit before the Monday shootings. We've heard countless stories about powerful relationships that exist between affected students and professors.
A number of professors publicly revealed how they tried to help the troubled student despite his resistance. These professors showed the nation how much they cared about their students and how much of an interest they take in their lives. Students likewise reciprocated that level of care and interest.
But things seem drastically different here at Drexel. For the most part, students hardly visit professors outside of class unless it's to complain about grades and assignments. Fraternization is starved. Perhaps professors don't initiate. Or the problem could be that there simply aren't enough of them with full-time status. In fact, latest numbers from The Office of Institutional Research and Assesment's Common Data Set reveals that 48% of all professors are part-time. Granted, these numbers are from the 2005-2006 academic year and we would love see if the 2006-2007 numbers will come out and show an improvement.
The faculty and administration aren't the only ones to blame. Although things like a great basketball season and improvements around campus have brought all students a new sense of pride, apathy is till rampant. A good number of students are content with going through the motions. Like drones, they come to class, get their assignments, hand in their work, and take whatever grade they may receive. That's a shame. It makes campus life no different than high school, if not worse.
There's more to college than regurgitating facts and receiving the grade. Administrators, faculty and students need to work together to find ways for students to tap a more fulfilling experience. They should take a hard look at the student-instructor relationship and find ways to strengthen it.
It is obvious that the Virginia Tech community was already close-knit before the Monday shootings. We've heard countless stories about powerful relationships that exist between affected students and professors.
A number of professors publicly revealed how they tried to help the troubled student despite his resistance. These professors showed the nation how much they cared about their students and how much of an interest they take in their lives. Students likewise reciprocated that level of care and interest.
But things seem drastically different here at Drexel. For the most part, students hardly visit professors outside of class unless it's to complain about grades and assignments. Fraternization is starved. Perhaps professors don't initiate. Or the problem could be that there simply aren't enough of them with full-time status. In fact, latest numbers from The Office of Institutional Research and Assesment's Common Data Set reveals that 48% of all professors are part-time. Granted, these numbers are from the 2005-2006 academic year and we would love see if the 2006-2007 numbers will come out and show an improvement.
The faculty and administration aren't the only ones to blame. Although things like a great basketball season and improvements around campus have brought all students a new sense of pride, apathy is till rampant. A good number of students are content with going through the motions. Like drones, they come to class, get their assignments, hand in their work, and take whatever grade they may receive. That's a shame. It makes campus life no different than high school, if not worse.
There's more to college than regurgitating facts and receiving the grade. Administrators, faculty and students need to work together to find ways for students to tap a more fulfilling experience. They should take a hard look at the student-instructor relationship and find ways to strengthen it.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Dr. Munns
posted 4/23/07 @ 12:41 PM EST
An insightful commentary. College is all about creating community, not only between the students themselves, but between all members of the university. (Continued…)
Post a Comment