UA student-to-faculty ratio remains 17:1
Ashley Jones
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: News
Despite an increase in the student population, the UA student-to-faculty ratio remains the same, and because the ratio makes a large difference in both education and recruiting, university officials said keeping it at a small level is a top priority.
The UA still has a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio, regardless of the almost 500-student population increase this school year, said Steve Voorhies, manager of UA Media Relations. Instructional faculty for fall 2008 has increased to 987, and about 57 new faculty members have been hired to accommodate the student increase.
Even in the face of new faculty, university officials still are concerned about the number of faculty members within the William J. Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.
"More and more students within the Fulbright College continue to put strain on the faculty," Voorhies said.
The student-to-faculty ratio is an indicator of class size in many cases, but it should not to be confused with the closely related issue of class average. The class average calculation is intended to compute the size of the average lecture class, and it does not take into account off-campus classes, lab sections or thesis sections, said Doug Miles, an analyst with UA Institutional Research.
The fall 2008 class average is 34, a small increase from the fall 2007 class average of 33.
"These numbers give students an idea of how much personal attention they can hope to get from their teachers," Voorhies said.
Class size and one-on-one time with teachers is an important issue among many students.
"A preferable class size depends on the class subject," freshman Chloe Neighbors said. "Smaller classes are ideal for major subjects because they provide a more personal learning experience."
The UA does limit student enrollment in certain class subjects to promote a better learning environment for students, Miles said.
Students may envision a small ratio as better, but freshmen can expect large classes for introductory level courses. Because many of these required introductory classes are in the Fulbright College, this might provide an explanation for the shortage of faculty within the college, Miles said.
However, both small and large classes present their advantages and disadvantages.
"You can cull a broader array of discussion points from larger classes," anthropology professor Justin Nolan said. "However, there is an inability to personalize discussion in class and generate connectivity."
The student-to-faculty ratio takes into account the full-time equivalent student number divided by the full-time equivalent of any person standing in front of a classroom, regardless of his or her official title, with the exception of graduate assistants, Miles said. One-third of the number of part-time students and faculty is then added to the ratio calculation.
The student-to-faculty ratio at the UA ranks similar to most universities; the national average student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1.
The UA still has a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio, regardless of the almost 500-student population increase this school year, said Steve Voorhies, manager of UA Media Relations. Instructional faculty for fall 2008 has increased to 987, and about 57 new faculty members have been hired to accommodate the student increase.
Even in the face of new faculty, university officials still are concerned about the number of faculty members within the William J. Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.
"More and more students within the Fulbright College continue to put strain on the faculty," Voorhies said.
The student-to-faculty ratio is an indicator of class size in many cases, but it should not to be confused with the closely related issue of class average. The class average calculation is intended to compute the size of the average lecture class, and it does not take into account off-campus classes, lab sections or thesis sections, said Doug Miles, an analyst with UA Institutional Research.
The fall 2008 class average is 34, a small increase from the fall 2007 class average of 33.
"These numbers give students an idea of how much personal attention they can hope to get from their teachers," Voorhies said.
Class size and one-on-one time with teachers is an important issue among many students.
"A preferable class size depends on the class subject," freshman Chloe Neighbors said. "Smaller classes are ideal for major subjects because they provide a more personal learning experience."
The UA does limit student enrollment in certain class subjects to promote a better learning environment for students, Miles said.
Students may envision a small ratio as better, but freshmen can expect large classes for introductory level courses. Because many of these required introductory classes are in the Fulbright College, this might provide an explanation for the shortage of faculty within the college, Miles said.
However, both small and large classes present their advantages and disadvantages.
"You can cull a broader array of discussion points from larger classes," anthropology professor Justin Nolan said. "However, there is an inability to personalize discussion in class and generate connectivity."
The student-to-faculty ratio takes into account the full-time equivalent student number divided by the full-time equivalent of any person standing in front of a classroom, regardless of his or her official title, with the exception of graduate assistants, Miles said. One-third of the number of part-time students and faculty is then added to the ratio calculation.
The student-to-faculty ratio at the UA ranks similar to most universities; the national average student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1.
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