Makeup Classes + Dorm-Leaving Day = Dilemma

Students who have lived in the dorm must have experienced the discomfort caused by makeup classes. The makeup class has been a visible problem to residents of the dorm since 2016. Before 2016, neither students nor professors cared significantly about the makeup classes, so it was flexibly managed with mutual agreement. However, in 2016 the makeup class became a more important factor in the university assessment than it used to be. This has led the makeup class being strictly managed. In particular, the selection of dates for those classes has caused problems for students. Thus, the Pharos tries to look into this repeating situation and provides various perspectives.

 

The makeup classes mostly take place due to the cancellation of regular ones. It is economically and legally right to makeup the missing classes since students pay for these classes. Moreover, after the advent of the university assessment, the holding of makeup classes became stricter. Now, the school checks whether the makeup class is held. If a class is not held, professors can be punished for this. Officially, the next to final week of classes is set as the makeup week. Once the holding of makeup classes became stricter, dorm residents began to report problems related to the leaving process. To understand this situation clearly, the Pharos conducted a survey with the residents of the dorm.

Q. Have you ever had any inconvenience in living in the dorm because makeup class date was later than the dorm-leaving day?

What do the students think about the dorm-leaving day clashing with the makeup class date? According to the survey, about 62 percent of the respondents said, “We have experienced inconveniences due to the makeup class date being later than the dorm-leaving day.” There were various inconveniences that were reported, but the most chosen one was “Costs for extra dorm residence.” The students had to extend their residence in the dorm after the regular leaving day, and the cost was 11,000 won a day. Students who do not have a choice in this matter feel uncomfortable because of this problem. Besides, they thought makeup classes were a waste of time, and there was an opinion that “It was inconvenient to participate in the makeup class because the makeup class was replaced by an examination.” About changing the number of school weeks to 15 weeks, some students said, “Although this problem occurs, makeup classes are necessary.” On the other hand, other students said, “I hope the school or dorm will actively work to solve this problem.” How are the school and dorm officials responding to this issue? The Pharos listened to the views of the Division of Education and dorm personnel on the issue.

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Q. What does this division think about the makeup class?

A. Currently, Kyonggi University operates a 15-week semester of education. Based on the Higher Education Act, there has to be 15 hours per class per credit. This means that whatever the reason for missing a regular class might be, it is mandatory to arrange a makeup class if a regular class is cancelled. This is legally stated, so keeping it thoroughly is the duty of the school. National holidays always exist during the semester and unexpected situations may occur each semester, so, inevitably, some classes will be cancelled. In other words, the makeup class must happen. Considering this situation, the week after finals is practically set aside as a makeup class week.

Q. What do you think about the dorm residents feeling uncomfortable because the dorm-leaving day is earlier than the makeup class day?

A. I am sorry to hear about what students living at the dorm go through, but we cannot give advice or suggestions to the dorm personnel. In short, we are unable to solve this problem.

Q. What is the standard by which the dorm set the length of residence?

A. Since 2011, when the dorm started, we particularly considered the academic calender as the basis for setting up the length of living time.

Q. How do you see the makeup class in relation to the dorm’s schedule?

A. From 2016, the dorm has recognized the situation related to the makeup class, so we allow for the longer stays of residents if they are needed. In principle, a longer stay of one week is permitted. If more days are necessary, through a disposition form, we allow residents to stay longer.

Q. What do you think about the discomfort caused by the extra cost of staying longer?

A. Charging the extra cost is pretty natural. If residents stay longer, even one day, all of the basic facilities and services that are needed for residence have to be run. The extra cost owing to staying longer is always noticed, so we say we are just following normal principles. However, we are able to help in the following case. Sometimes, students stay one day more and move out in the early morning of the next day without informing the dorm office. In this case, we collect the extra cost for two days. However, if the resident informs us earlier that he or she will move out in the early morning, we only charge for one day. To sum up, the dorm is here for residents and we are working hard to maximize the convenience of residents. Talk to us if you have any difficulties so we can figure out how to deal with them in the best way.

If you listen to each agency’s position, it is hard to blame anyone for any of the inconvenience caused by the conflict between the dorm-leaving day and the makeup class date. We have to have makeup classes because the academic calendar is legally defined and the tuition has been paid. The school’s dorm is a private dorm, so it cannot increase or decrease the residence period at will. The dorm allows students to stay longer considering the academic calendar and the convenience of students. However, students need to understand this situation. The school, dorm and students should continue to share their opinions and should not miss the possibility of resolving this problem rather than believing that it is out of the question.

71st Cub Reporter•PARK SINUI•dean0305@naver.com

71st Cub Reporter•KIM JIN•coo0714@naver.com