Recently, the university announced it will likely go to 14-week semesters in 2012. By my reckoning, that would mean a reduction of two weeks of classroom instruction each school year - that is, 28 weeks under semesters vs. 30 weeks under quarters. Over four years that would amount to eight weeks of lost instruction, equivalent to almost a quarter, which in turn would be about four courses not taken.
In effect, that would be a rise in tuition - akin to Hershey reducing its $1 chocolate bar from 8 ounces to 6 ounces, and not adjusting the price.
Why less education? Are OU graduates not getting jobs because they are over-educated? Are employers rejecting them because they are too brainy?
Alas, many students (too many, I fear) are here to get a college degree and not a college education. Consequently, I don't think students will storm Cutler Hall and man barricades over this issue (perhaps they can ally forces with the local merchants).
Meanwhile the Board of Trustees, ever vigilant to the needs of the students, pursues its pedagogical philosophy: A BETTER EDUCATION THROUGH LESS INSTRUCTION.
4 Opinion
Letter to the Editor
