I am disappointed with the University Academic Senate's decision to cut Monday/Wednesday 75-minute classes. As a working student trying to gain experience in the real world, I depend on these classes to fit my work schedule. Considering the location of Marquette, internships are almost a must-do because of the ease of transportation to and from companies. In my opinion, some colleges use the location of the university as a marketing point to attract students, something that may be difficult to do now that class schedules will not be as accommodating.

According to Provost John Pauly, Marquette will run out of classroom space in the upcoming years if 75-minute classes continue to be offered. Isn't eliminating these classes taking away classroom space? Many of these classes are offered on Monday/Wednesday nights. I do not know anyone who would go to a Friday-night, 50-minute class. I will not believe that every classroom on campus is occupied during every period until someone proves it to me. The fact that professors can sometimes move classes if they don't like the pre-assigned location or schedule a different classroom for exams proves not all classrooms are always filled.

What would happen if Marquette restructured class times so classrooms were only empty for a maximum of 10 minutes during switching times? This allows administration to maximize classroom space and provides the possibility of accommodating students who value the practical application of classroom concepts through internships. Even though start times would not be the normal top of the hour or 35 minutes past, Marquette is not worried about making the perfect schedule, but rather fitting within physical limitations as Pauly mentioned.

Now that 75-minute Monday/Wednesday classes will not exist effective Fall 2009, I feel that some students with internships will begin fighting to enroll in the Tuesday/Thursday 75-minute sections. Personally, I will sign up for as many Tuesday/Thursday classes as I can to avoid having class every day and to be able to work. While I value what I learn in the classroom, I feel that practical application and experience are more useful after graduation. If I cannot enroll in a Tuesday/Thursday section, I will apply for a permission number in order to register for it so I can work.

Student input is necessary to make a decision of this magnitude, and I feel the administration needs to re-evaluate its decision to cut these classes.