OPINION | July 19, 2005

Editorial/Our View
Verbal Void
Department should keep students registered for English courses informed about faculty

The English Department will lose six faculty members in fall, which had already caused the cancellation of some upper-level classes before registration.

Tom Ryan, English associate chair for undergraduate studies, said the department is trying to replace instructors, particularly for freshman- and sophomore-level classes. He also said that if replacements are not found, classes could be canceled but that it is unlikely.

The department, which has grown 6 percent in the past year, has more than 400 undergraduate and graduate majors, many of whose schedules could be dependant upon the availability of these classes. While the department has taken a step in the right direction by trying to find replacements as quickly as possible, it is also important that students are kept informed on new developments in the search for faculty.

Students who have registered for classes that have even the slightest chance of being canceled because of the changes should be notified of this possibility. The department should keep these students updated about what is going on with the search so that they can make alternate arrangements accordingly.

However, the department should be applauded for its quick actions to find replacements in the areas that were most needed. The faculty members who stepped up to teach classes that were left without an instructor should also be recognized.

In the end, the most important thing is that students are able to receive a good education in a fair amount of time. The department has already shown a commitment to its students by rushing to accommodate them through these changes and should continue to do so by communicating regularly with those affected.

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