When asked about the number of classes the school opened, 95 percent of the respondents said they felt the classes were insufficient, and they also replied that they had difficulty when applying for the class. The problem that students felt with the insufficiently opened classes was not only the difficulties with applying for classes. The rate of failure in applying for classes and the difficulty in organizing timetables were equally distressing, and many of the respondents said they had problems because they failed to attend mandatory classes.

Most of the respondents expressed the need to continuously give opinions to the school and professors to increase their class choices, and a number of respondents said students have to give opinions to the student council so that they can take the lead in solving related issues. However, some respondents seemed resigned saying, “What can we do to increase our class choices in a situation where simple problems related to applying for classes have not been solved for a long time?”

Most of the respondents answered that the school should increase the number of classes even more by inviting more professors. Some respondents said at least the school has to allow everyone to apply for mandatory classes through the adjustment of personnel. In addition, a number of respondents said that the class choices would be increased if the class times were diversified and the distribution of classes was adjusted.

While the complaints of students about the lack of choice in lectures is increasing, we asked for an interview with some faculty members to find out what they thought, but we were not able to do this. Instead we invited professor Lee Byungryang from the Department of Public Administration, one of the major professors, to listen to his views.

What do you think about the growing decline in the number of class choices?

I’m sorry that you guys can’t take the classes you want; however, I think decreasing the number of classes is inevitable because of financial problems. Students and professors alike should adjust to the fact that although many lectures were offered in the past when the tuition was higher than now and when the school was supported financially by a foundation, that is now less likely to happen.

Do you think it is possible to open lectures to meet the demands of students regarding mandatory subjects?

The mandatory subject that is required to qualify for graduation cannot be eliminated, of course, but I think it is also a necessary decision given the financial circumstances at the school. Futhermore, I suggest you think about whether students are confusing convenience with the demand for classes. For example, if you prefer afternoon classes, I don’t think it’s fair to say that the choice of classes has been reduced because a lots of morning classes have been arranged instead.

What do you think about the variety of class time periods and the days of lectures?

Many universities offer 75-minute lectures over two days, and professors as well as students tend to prefer it. This is because that system can provide students with more learning and facilitate more intense classes. Nevertheless, I also think this is a somewhat difficult part of the school guidelines.

What do you think is the best measure to expand students’ class choices?

As I said before, solving financial problems is the most fundamental challenge. We don’t want to see a decrease in the number of lectures in the school either, and we think Kyonggi University is trying to listen and respond to the maximum number of voices it can, such as the division of large classes into small classes in response to last year’s demand. However, I think the current situation is an inevitable result of the university’s limited finances, so I think the only solution is adaptation.

One of the advantages of being a university student is that I can take the classes I want and set a timetable freely. However, if you want to take certain classes, you will have to compete hard with other students first, and it will probably be very difficult to get the schedule you want. We know that this situation may be unavoidable for the school due to its limited financial resources, but we want the administration to communicate more with students than they do now so that they can increase the number of classes to assure students’ class choices for the new semester.

70th Cub Reporter NOH SEOKHO

70th Cub Reporter CHOI SOYEON