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CRAMPED
Graduate instructors need more room

At some point in the day, most people need a little space.

For 22 graduate instructors sharing one room in Reed Hall, those moments probably come more often than usual.

According to graduate instructors’ representative Erin Sagerson, the instructors were informed this summer by e-mail that instead of four or five of them sharing smaller rooms, they would all share a renovated classroom about the size of two dorm rooms.

Daniel Williams, chairman of the English department, said this change was made to create more of a community and to give the instructors better facilities and more storage space.

But the instructors don’t like the change, Sagerson said, because it hinders privacy. They’ve got a point.

Anyone who has ever tried to work in a room containing even four or five other people knows how quickly the noise level can elevate. Now factor in the possible noise 22 individuals would make. And what happens when students want to meet with their instructors? Students aren’t going to be very forthcoming with their problems if so many people can over hear them.

Williams said the English department is going to try to improve the situation by soundproofing the room and upgrading the furniture, but these changes are not going to help the fact that instructors have to sacrifice their privacy and their students’ privacy because they are working too close to each other.

Since instructors don’t seem to like the new “community,” which was the reason for combining them, the university needs to consider letting them have their old offices back.