ExCollege profs face tough admissions decisions

A record number of students signed up for courses in the Experimental College this semester to learn about untraditional subjects ranging from "Shakespeare in Asia" to the "Making of Machismo."

As a result of the college's growing popularity and small, discussion-based class philosophy, 14 Ex College instructors were forced to selectively admit students into their classes.

Unlike the first-come-first served registration system for regular University courses, any student can sign up for an ExCollege course. If there are more applicants than spaces, students then compete for a spot in the class by writing essays and filling out personal information sheets. Instructors then attempt to compose a diverse and dynamic group of students who will benefit from and contribute to the class.

However, of the three most popular courses offered by the Ex College, "Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation," "Understanding the Stock Market" and "Genetics, Ethics and the Law," no freshmen were admitted with the average class was approximately 70 percent seniors.

According to Robyn Gittleman, the director of the ExCollege, instructors have discretion to pick students for their classes using whatever criteria they feel will be to the benefit of the class. These criteria often include, but are not limited to, a student's background, major, demonstrated interest, past experience, gender, and class level.

"If a student has tried [to get in] before or if he needs it to graduate, I will definitely give preference," Professor Ronnee Yashon said. Her course, "Genetics, Ethics, and the Law," was the most popular this spring: 113 students applied for spots in the lecture class and 121 for the online course. Yashon had to limit the total enrolment of her class to just 40.

Many underclassmen argue that it is unfair for professors to favor upperclassmen and those who have had the chance to previously apply. "Freshmen are equally qualified and contribute to the Tufts community just as much as seniors _ we should receive the same treatment and be considered equally for introductory level courses," freshman Giuseppe Aldina said.

Seniors, however, feel that in their last year at the University, they should be given priority. For senior Camila Campos, time is of the essence. In two weeks she will be taking an internship at a major investment bank. Campos said that even with her major in Economics, she lacks a critical element of practical knowledge in business. She says that her class, "Understanding the Stock Market," will help her in her line of work.

"This is my first opportunity to apply for 'Understanding the Stock Market,'" she said. "When you keep a senior out of the class you are postponing his advancement in the job market."

Certain professors agree with Campos and don't think that favoring upperclassmen is discriminatory. Rather, they say it promotes a senior's last opportunity to take a course that may be very important to their lives.

"Freshmen will have the opportunity to apply for my class another time. But this is the last time that seniors can take it," said Tim Stratford, the instructor for "Understanding the Stock Market." He said that he recognizes the interest displayed by students who have previously applied, which may help them be accepted the next time around.

Other professors, however, say that there are also disadvantages to having a class largely comprised of seniors.

"The problems with accepting only seniors is that they may be taking it as a swing course and devote less attention to class," said James Jabbour, who teaches "Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation."

Another concern for underclassmen and instructors is whether or not popular Ex College courses will be 'voted in' and offered in future semesters, as the College continually seeks to vary course offerings. For a freshman who anticipates enrolling in a particularly popular class three years later, there is a good chance that the class will no longer be offered when he or she attempts to apply. The average Ex College course lasts for only two to three semesters.

Some students argue that the solution to such high demand for certain courses should be met with an expansion of the Ex College. Senior Ira Fox, an engineering major, feels that if Tufts promotes a diverse education, "then why can't a student who is really interested in exploring an interesting class get into it?"

"There is no reason why we can't have a single business class here that people can get into," he said.

However, according to Gittleman, the success of Ex College courses depends on small classes and the diversity of course offerings. Unlike traditional departments, instructors come to the University with a specific proposal for a course in mind. Only in very rare cases does the College search out instructors to teach particular classes.

"When I limit my class size," Jabbour said, "I am still eliminating many seniors and I expect that I will upset many people who want to be there and would have made good students. I tell students the first night not to get discouraged."