There haven’t been many classes added at SF State this semester, and where classes have been added, lack of funding is putting a strain on department resources.

Both the English and chemistry departments are feeling the strain.

“It doesn’t matter how many classes we add, because when we add more classes, it takes away from our resources,” said Cynthia Tan, an administrative analyst in the chemistry and biochemistry department.

“We don’t have enough faculty or materials to cover the new section, and we haven’t received any additional funding from the school to help with our resources.”

A section of Chemistry 33, an organic chemistry lab, which is required for both chemistry and biology majors, was added, and the chemistry department is currently seeking applicants for tenure lab instructors to run the additional lab.

However they still have not received extra funding to do so, Tan said.

The English department also added sections and made a drastic change in its undergraduate requirements.

The department replaced its “Age of” courses, such as English 501: Age of Chaucer, with three new courses, Literature in English I, II and III.

Although these new classes are replacing the old requirements, they will still be offering the “Age of” courses, just not as frequently.

However, the department has not received any additional funding for its change in core courses, said Beverly Voloshin, professor of English and chair of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.

“The new courses do not strain departmental resources,” Voloshin said. “The strain on departmental resources is the result of the university’s on-going budget crisis.”

According to English professor Bill Christmas, who will be teaching English 461: Literature in English II, the addition of these classes was long overdue.

“After so many semesters of having to turn away students from my Age of Wit course, it was quite nice this first week to say to all who were trying to add my 461 class that ‘You’re in.’” said Christmas. “I’ve never passed out so many add codes.”

The English department is also adding another section of English 214.

For years students have dreaded failing the JEPET, not only because it would mean taking an extra English course, but also because it could mean a few extra semesters added to their school terms, due to the near impossible odds of finding an open section of English 214.

“Even with the addition of the new course, I still wasn’t able to add the class,” said Amanda Arsenith, a 25-year-old liberal arts major. “If I don’t find a way to get in by next semester, then I don’t graduate.”
But the English department hasn’t received any additional funding for this crucial course, either. The department is using the same professors to cover the additional course load, according to Voloshin.

Although the additional section is welcome, there is still not enough room for all who want to add, as the line outside the classroom last Wednesday showed.