When President Donald Gerth decided to get rid of Monday-Wednesday classes for next fall, in favor of the Monday-Wednesday-Friday format, he did so with the advice of a committee comprised of faculty and administration. Noticeably absent was a committee member representing the 27,000 students on campus.

This disregard for student concerns showed.

When representatives of the committee met with the Faculty Senate, no one raised questions about the impact the schedule change would have on students. With four faculty members and three administrators on the committee, Gerth?s decision met little opposition. It?s no coincidence that he was facing a deadline for Fall 2002 scheduling. A student presence on the board could have at least slowed or changed the committee?s recommendation, making Gerth?s solo decision to cut the classes more difficult. The State Hornet believes the decision was made in haste. Facing deadline and rescheduling, the committee was only able to meet twice. This is hardly adequate time to make a complex decision that will affect students. It shows.

The final decision by Gerth failed to take into account the impact it would have on Tuesday-Thursday classes, in spite of the fact that this was discussed with the Faculty Senate. This is surprising, considering 95 of 104 students polled by The Hornet said they would shift all their classes there instead of the proposed Monday-Wednesday-Friday format.

Even more disturbing is Associated Students, Inc?s apparent lack of interest in the situation. Although ASI members have recently started a petition, it is probably too late. According to Gerth, ASI was informed the measure in mid-September. Until now, ASI has barely raised an eyebrow. As the only governing body representing students on campus, they should have responded. ASI President Artemio Pimentel should have demanded student participation in the decision. We hope ASI will not be so easily ignored in the future.

Even if Gerth was acting in the best interests of students, his attempt to think for them was a mistake. Getting Friday off from school is essential for many working students. Doing away with Monday-Wednesday classes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. will severely hinder them. All Gerth had to do was ask.