Recession affects school

ECU, along with other North Carolina schools, is expected to experience a reduction in funding. Though we all feel the pressures of the current economic stress, the consequences of funding cutbacks could make it more difficult for students to graduate on time. There has been discussion about cutting back on the number of classes offered each semester and increasing class size. The funding cutbacks will surely affect more than just classes, and the economic crisis is sure to drastically affect the college experience.

With some classrooms tapped out at 150 to 200 students, it is difficult to fathom a larger class size. Because such classes do not seem to physically allow the addition of more students, the alternative solution is limiting the number of classes offered each semester. For some majors, semesters are lined up with a specific set of classes to be taken per semester. If students are forced to wait for their course to be offered, it will hinder the necessary system for graduating on time. And don't forget about the sophomores and juniors who often find themselves switching majors.

It is difficult to tell what areas of the university will experience dwindling fund distribution, but it seems as though there are ways that students and staff can make the situation better.

Students can car pool with classmates and friends. My sophomore year, I calculated that the bus takes 13 minutes to get from the first stop at Minges to Joyner. Simply parking at Minges and taking the walk down College Hill will put you on campus in the same or less time. Walking would alleviate the space on the buses for people who absolutely need the services and the carpooling efforts would prepare students in case the bus runs were cut in half. It also wouldn't hurt anyone's pocket to divvy up the quarters needed for campus parking meters with carpooling buddies.

If professors could begin accepting online assignments, rather than print copies, the university would no longer have to supply the thousands of students and staff with endless paper and ink. I often use the computer labs for printing my work due to my small budget, which doesn't frequently allow ink cartridge refills at home.

Professors can also start acknowledging that they don't use the so-called "required" textbooks, which would assist students in saving more money when purchasing books. It seems every student understands the frustration of paying money for a book they never use, knowing we might get back only a small portion of the amount during buy back.

We can equally do our part in easing the transition that we will soon likely face, but one can only imagine how damaging the funding cutbacks may be.

If a class is even offered, available class times are limited. The general education requirements needed for graduation could be manipulated to shorten graduation time. Without finding ways to efficiently provide courses for students and their intended course of study, it seems we could reach a surplus of students on campus, thus increasing the number of students the university accommodates.

Though changes are guaranteed to occur, I can only hope that the effects are not too overwhelming and that the cutbacks are only temporary.

This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.