Frosh Core Classes Will Be Larger At UI

Freshmen attending the University of Idaho this fall might not know the difference, but their core classes will be larger. And that has faculty members concerned that quality might be sacrificed.

“It’s not what we consider a good educational situation,” said Douglas Adams, chairman of the university’s English department.

Almost half the freshman writing classes will increase to 30 students while the other half will remain at 26. Boise State University caps its freshman composition courses at 25, Lewis-Clark State College at 22 and Idaho State University at 24.

University of Idaho administrators are planning to save $100,000 by enlarging the size of core classes, which are required and have the greatest impact on freshmen.

“There are going to be some short-term disruptions,” President Robert Hoover told the Faculty Council. “I don’t see this as a long-term solution.”

Cutting funding for classes is part of the administration’s effort to make up for two years of budget holdbacks.