[ Golden Gater Online - February 4, 1997 ]
Doug Seto
Staff writer
Students from Spanish 325 stormed into the Department of Foreign Languages last Wednesday to complain about the lack of classes within the Spanish department.
Even though Spanish 325 is one of the six major courses required for graduation in Spanish studies, like the other five, it's offered only once an academic year. And for many language students, classes are becoming harder to get.
"If I don't take this class my plans are jeopardized," said Ana Leyva, a Spanish major who plans to graduate in 1998. "And even if I wait another year, who knows what future classes will be cut again."
On the first day of classes, the only section of Spanish 325 scheduled to meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, was canceled because the professor suddenly went on temporary leave due to family matters, according to Julian F. Randolph, Department Chair of Foreign Languages and Literature.
As a result, the class was rescheduled to meet Wednesday nights. Even though this was good news for most taking the class, those enrolled decided to stay with the previously planned schedule so that a handful could graduate on time.
"A lot of people wouldn't mind meeting once a week, but five or six can't because of work or other classes," said Elizabeth Allen, a senior majoring in Spanish studies. "The change would have worked in my favor, but the lack of funds in the Spanish department is what infuriated me."
After class, many students from Spanish 325 marched into Randolph's office so they could discuss their concerns.
"I think there's some people who want to see me," Randolph said politely as everyone filed through his door.
To ease communication, Randolph moved everyone to an empty room across the hall so he could hear and deal with the students' complaints. The discussion focused on a variety of issues which included lack of classes, lack of departmental funds, plus a memorandum written by Randolph last fall.
The memo, based on figures gathered through touch-tone registration, listed the number of students who wanted, but couldn't take a requested class during the fall semester. A copy of the memo was produced by one student at the meeting.
According to the memo, a total of 1,384 foreign language students couldn't get into classes they wanted. Of those listed, nearly half of these students were unable to get Spanish classes.
"In 1990 there were 10 full-time faculty in the Spanish program, but today there are two," Randolph said. "Yours truly was one of the ten but under the circumstances I can only teach one course."
When some students asked why the course couldn't be offered in the summer, Randolph explained that high costs and the possibility of low enrollment in summer courses would not make it feasible.
As SF State proposes to build a new recreation center, many students wondered why they can't get classes required to graduate.
"The school is looking for swimming pools and a shopping center and you say they don't have any money?" Leyva asked Randolph.
"That money can't be used for salaries," Randolph replied.
[ Golden Gater - February 4, 1997 ]