Low Student-to-Teacher Ratio Hurts Students

Staff Writer

   I realize some people think our low student-to-faculty ratio is something to brag about. In our brochures, other literature and on the Web site we use it as a means to attract students to the university. I admit I am in the minority when I state it is not such a good thing.

   But... history brings to attention a serious concern. Back when our attendance was half of what it is now, we had just about the same amount of faculty as we do today. This means we doubled our students, but did not increase the number of our faculty. Disadvantages are obviously inevitable. 

   There are many disadvantages to having so such a low ratio. I would like to point out that the main negative is the low number of educators. I will limit my scope to the social sciences since this is the department in which I'm seeking my degree.

   We have two educators in the Political Science department. These two individuals have to teach hundreds of students in American National Government each year. This is bad for a number of reasons. This means both of these educators would be required to teach the class numerous times per semester. This takes away from the number of upper-level classes they are available to offer.

   In the history department, some professors must sometimes teach American History a whopping three times in one semester. I cannot speak for any of them, but if I had to teach the same material three times a day, three times a week, I would be a little discouraged. These professors have areas of expertise and cannot spend much time in these areas due to the burden of having to maintain a lower class number. If this burden was lifted, the professor could offer more high-level classes.

   It is getting more difficult each year to graduate in four years. This is more money we are spending each semester to attend. This is more debt we are accumulating. If professors are able to offer more upper-level classes, then students needing a couple more to graduate can take them and finish their education sooner. It would also provide the professors with the opportunity to set up new classes that would excite students, give the professor a breath of fresh air, and attract prospective students, as well as expanding the possibilities for a student.

   I am fully aware that numbers show greater success for classes with small ratios. But generally these classes are more specialized. For general education classes, bigger numbers would not have the need for one-on-one instruction. In certain universities, like Ohio State University, some classes have around 300 students, and they attract more and more students each year.

   To me, the benefits are evident and many, while the costs are few, if any. We could enlarge general education classes and allow professors more flexibility, students more options and the opportunity to obtain our degrees cheaper and more quickly.

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