CSU and community college faculty have expressed concerns about the bill, but it has sent UC’s faculty into revolt; Steinberg should have consulted with them before announcing the bill. The Academic Senate’s top officers last week wrote to their members: “There is no possibility that UC faculty will shirk its responsibility to our students by ceding authority over courses to any outside agency.” Faculty members aren’t opposed to online classes; many already teach them. They’re worried about relinquishing control over standards and diminishing UC’s world-class reputation — a real possibility. In fact Steinberg’s bill may not help the UC schools, which have different students, aims and challenges than the other branches. UC students don’t face serious bottlenecks trying to get required courses. CSU and the community colleges serve more than 10 times as many students. If the goal is to clear bottlenecks and allow students to graduate on time, which cuts costs, Steinberg’s faculty committee should primarily focus on courses at CSU and the community colleges, where the need is greatest. And the Legislature should also heed the worries of faculty at all levels to ensure quality instruction and student learning are protected at every step.

Read full article [here].
by The Editorial Board, The San Jose Mercury News.

Posted: March 22nd, 2013, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.