2008 Woodie Awards
Letters To The Editor
Innacurate Claims
Date created: 10/13/04 Section: OPINION
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Editor -- I am writing out of concern over the article "Hours buy a dollar with new English rules," because it contained misinformation which was inaccurate and misleading.
Yes, the cost of the tuition was raised, but this has nothing to do with the 16 hours-by-arrangement because students pay nothing for them.
Another erroneous claim made in the article is that if students don't complete the hours, the teacher must fail them. On the front of the hours-by-arrangement folders, it states in bold print: "To The Instructor: It is recommended that the hour by arrangement be calculated as 2 percent to 5 percent of student grade."
The hours-by-arrangement are a result of an effort by faculty to provide additional alternative instruction to ensure the success of our students at no cost to the students. Research has taught us that literate behaviors practiced outside of the classroom enhance our students' ability to read, write, and think critically. The importance of building strong writing and reading skills cannot be overstated as these skills are fundamental to success in all college courses as well as in the workplace. The hours-by-arrangement also credit students for taking advantage of the free supportive services on campus which strengthen student retention and transfer rates. It saddens me to read statements in the article like the faculty is telling "lies" to the students. This unnecessarily pits students against the people who are working hard every day to provide the support and instruction that have only student success in mind.
Although the article gives inaccurate information about the hours-by-arrangement, you are absolutely right to complain about the rise in tuition costs. More power to you; more students should do the same in newspapers like this and in letters to your state representatives in Sacramento. And hey, in writing letters of protest, you could also be satisfying some of those hours-by-arrangement.
- Rachel Bell
English Professor
Yes, the cost of the tuition was raised, but this has nothing to do with the 16 hours-by-arrangement because students pay nothing for them.
Another erroneous claim made in the article is that if students don't complete the hours, the teacher must fail them. On the front of the hours-by-arrangement folders, it states in bold print: "To The Instructor: It is recommended that the hour by arrangement be calculated as 2 percent to 5 percent of student grade."
The hours-by-arrangement are a result of an effort by faculty to provide additional alternative instruction to ensure the success of our students at no cost to the students. Research has taught us that literate behaviors practiced outside of the classroom enhance our students' ability to read, write, and think critically. The importance of building strong writing and reading skills cannot be overstated as these skills are fundamental to success in all college courses as well as in the workplace. The hours-by-arrangement also credit students for taking advantage of the free supportive services on campus which strengthen student retention and transfer rates. It saddens me to read statements in the article like the faculty is telling "lies" to the students. This unnecessarily pits students against the people who are working hard every day to provide the support and instruction that have only student success in mind.
Although the article gives inaccurate information about the hours-by-arrangement, you are absolutely right to complain about the rise in tuition costs. More power to you; more students should do the same in newspapers like this and in letters to your state representatives in Sacramento. And hey, in writing letters of protest, you could also be satisfying some of those hours-by-arrangement.
- Rachel Bell
English Professor
