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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: More ways to beat the budget crisis
Forum | 2/3/09
Posted online at 10:50 PM EST on 2/2/09
/ Last updated at 4:45 AM EST on 2/2/09
To the Editor:
In response to "Committee will address curriculum" (Jan. 27): Brandeis can save millions of dollars each year by making a few changes in its curriculum. For example, Brandeis should have one history department with one chairman, and not an Asian studies department, a Middle Eastern studies department, etc. The same can be done with several other departments, such as having one foreign language department-rather than several individual language departments-with one chairman. Brandeis can also save by increasing its instructor-student ratio, which is currently very small. For example, if the current average ratio is one instructor to 10 students, Brandeis should make that one instructor to 20 students. Brandeis should also eliminate some of its unpopular elective courses that are not required for any major or minor. Brandeis might also eliminate two or three of its athletic sports teams to save money. Although these are not pleasant solutions for saving money-especially for faculty and staff that will be laid off-they must be implemented to counter America's current economic slump and to allow Brandeis to continue to provide its students with an education that is second to none.
-George Patsourakos
In response to "Committee will address curriculum" (Jan. 27): Brandeis can save millions of dollars each year by making a few changes in its curriculum. For example, Brandeis should have one history department with one chairman, and not an Asian studies department, a Middle Eastern studies department, etc. The same can be done with several other departments, such as having one foreign language department-rather than several individual language departments-with one chairman. Brandeis can also save by increasing its instructor-student ratio, which is currently very small. For example, if the current average ratio is one instructor to 10 students, Brandeis should make that one instructor to 20 students. Brandeis should also eliminate some of its unpopular elective courses that are not required for any major or minor. Brandeis might also eliminate two or three of its athletic sports teams to save money. Although these are not pleasant solutions for saving money-especially for faculty and staff that will be laid off-they must be implemented to counter America's current economic slump and to allow Brandeis to continue to provide its students with an education that is second to none.
-George Patsourakos
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