Buzzsaw Asks Why: Ithaca College Doesn’t Prioritize an Adequate Learning Environment?

This semester, my discussion-based Park class of 26 students takes place in Williams 225, the large lecture hall in the center of the building because it was the only room available. In order to foster a conversation, my professor sits in the middle of a row with us scattered all around, all twisting our bodies to see one another. The classroom makes no sense for the course. The lack of adequate classroom spaces, as well as the increasing number of crowded classrooms, is particularly irritating because IC advertises itself as an institution “committed to small classes” and “class discussion.”

In 2009, when IC overadmitted students, employees at the Office of the Registrar had to walk around the school searching for possible classroom spaces. They converted spaces in the library and conference rooms into classrooms, which have remained classrooms ever since.

Yet, as student enrollment continues it upward trend (thus allowing IC to continue to rack up those big bucks), it would be nice to see the college use their money more wisely. Instead, IC recently spent $65 million on the A&E Center and $25 million on the Peggy R. Williams Building so administrators could sit in fancy offices — it’s nice that they have adequate spaces to work. I think it’s time for IC to rethink its priorities and construct a new classroom building to help foster a satisfactory learning environment — after all, shouldn’t this be their main priority?