Class registration fees: Professors share opinions on class costs

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The first implementation of fees for art and science courses appeared when students went to register for fall semester courses during last spring semester.  An uproar arose from both students and faculty; some argued for while others argued against the fees.

Arts Professor Doug Anderson is among those who agree with the fees for the arts. Anderson explained that there is a certain budget that is allowed for the department.

The budget is split up among all the art courses within the department which includes arts supplies said Anderson. Pacific is said to be among the few universities who have art programs that pay for its students’ supplies.

Anderson believes that if students were required to pay for their supplies, they would have more than enough to “explore their creative interest.”

He also believes that the course fees would give students a chance to comprehend how much art supplies cost and it would encourage students to take better care of them.

One particular professor on campus, whom requested to be known as “anonymous” for this article’s sake, was “caught off guard” and more or less “outraged” when the fees for the science lab and art courses appeared during last spring semester.

“I won’t say any names,” said Anonymous, “but it was completely unprofessional and indiscreet of those in charge of the course fees to try and implement them on the students without a further warning other than a notification under the course description.”

Anonymous feels that the situation could’ve been handled much differently than how it was.

Regardless, it wasn’t about who was arguing for what side. Both parties were not only surprised when the proposed additional fees arrived, but confused as well.

At the end of last spring semester, faculty, student groups and individuals communicated their ideas and concerns to President Lesley Hallick.

In response, Hallick sent out an email to all of Pacific University’s faculty and students thanking those who spoke out on behalf of the campus as a whole.

“I am grateful for the thoughtful way in which you communicated,” said Hallick, “and the time you took to share your perspectives.”

Currently, the course fees, and even the proposed $200  winter term registration fee, were then eliminated at the end of last spring semester.

Executive Assistant to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Jolene Vice said, “My understanding is that no arts or science lab fees were implemented and currently there is no implementation of fees under consideration.”

Instead, the majority of students proposed at the end of last semester, that they would rather see a small rise in tuition rather than have course fees.

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