<p>I think the analysis should be a comparison (before and after) of the number of classes/sections offered per department and how many students are in each class. That would be the fair way to compare. The number of instructors/profs can be irrelevant if many are/were part-time.</p>
<p>I don’t know. I would think it would follow that an enrollment growth that is double the faculty growth rate would imply an increase in class sizes. I am assuming among other things that there an even distribution of this net increase in faculty across the various disciplines in A&S and the effect is felt across levels (that is to say, there’s an even increase in teacher for freshman-level courses, sophomore-level courses, etc). I’m assuming there is an even distribution of student growth across all colleges (so a 40% increase in enrollment overall correlates to a 40% increase in enrollment in the College of Arts and Sciences). I’m also assuming all are full-time faculty in my assessment. I’m actually unsure what the difference between full-time and part-time faculty when it comes to classroom instruction.</p>
<p>From the UA Staff Handbook: [Department</a> of Human Resources - The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://hr.ua.edu/employment/index.html]Department”>http://hr.ua.edu/employment/index.html)</p>
<p>Regular Full-time – These are positions of 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE), which require
incumbents to regularly work 38.75 to 40 hours per week. Based on business requirements and available monies, there is a reasonable expectation of continued funding for these positions. Such employees are eligible for full benefits and privileges of employment.</p>
<p>Regular Part-time – These are positions of at least .5 FTE but less than 1.0 FTE, which require incumbents to regularly work a minimum of approximately 20 hours per week. Based on business requirements and available monies, there is a reasonable expectation of continued funding for these positions. Such employees do not participate in the UA Paid Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance or the TIAA-CREF matching contribution. Annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay and tuition assistance are prorated.</p>
<p>Temporary Full-time – These are positions of 1.0 FTE, which require incumbents to regularly work 38.75 to 40 hours per week. Appointments to these positions have an expected termination date of less than one year from the initial date of employment. Such positions are not eligible for benefits.</p>
<p>Temporary Part-time – These are positions of at least .5 FTE but less than 1.0 FTE, which require incumbents to regularly work a minimum of approximately 20 hours per week. Appointments to these positions have an expected termination date of less than one year from the initial date of employment. Such positions are not eligible for benefits.</p>
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<p>I don’t know either…I’m just saying that sometimes you can’t just use raw numbers.</p>
<p>In the case of my kids’ private high school, the number of faculty has not risen that much, yet the school has nearly increased by 50% during the last 6 years. </p>
<p>There are now more classes at “full capacity” (20-25 students) , while before they had many classes under 15 students (especially the AP classes and 4th year language classes which used to only have 8 or 9 students in them) They also used to have a faculty of nearly 50% part-time teachers. Now, they only have a few part-time teachers. So, my point is that you can’t just look at raw numbers. Yes, my kids’ school has nearly the same number of faculty, and yes, some classes have grown to “full capacity,” but the classes are not “over-crowded.” </p>
<p>I’m not saying that UA doesn’t have any crowded classes, they probably do (like nearly all campuses have). I do think that any campus that is undergoing growth situation is going to have some “growing pains”.</p>
<p>Frankly, I don’t see why UA doesn’t raise its UHP honors classes to 20 kids. I find it hard to believe that classtime discussions, etc, would be negatively affected by having 5 more kids in each class.</p>
<p>While that may not alleviate regular classes by very much, it would help a bit.</p>