Two English tutes a term to be cut for classes
English faculty: less tutes more classes
ENGLISH TUTORIALS are to be cut from Michaelmas term next year after proposals by the English faculty were finally ratified by colleges. The plans will see a reduction in tutorials in favour of class-based teaching. The faculty has denied the cutbacks are being made for financial reasons. Director of undergraduate studies at the English Faculty Terry Hoad told The Oxford Student: “These proposals are not a response to a lack of resources.
“Rather, they arise from two considerations: the first is that tutors are experiencing increasing workloads; the second that real advantages are seen in making some small adjustments to the pattern of teaching in Oxford.” The stint reform proposals were originally devised three years ago after English tutors voted overwhelmingly to reduce the number of tutorials offered to students. However, previous drafts of the plans were rejected by colleges.
Last term attempts to halve the number of tutorials offered to English students were reported. The proposals failed to pass the Senior Tutors' committee on that occasion, after concerns were expressed by some colleges that the cuts were too drastic. There is expected to be wide variance in how the new system will be implemented, with individual colleges and tutors deciding how best to provide the course.
Hoad predicts some colleges may begin implementing the changes before Michaelmas, although denied that there would be any “major upheaval” in teaching patterns. Student Union Vice President, (Access and Academic Affairs) Linsey Cole said: “Measures need to be taken to ensure that student's academic performance does not suffer as a result of this decision. The situation needs to be monitored and feedback mechanisms need to be working effectively.
Yet current member of the English Faculty Junior Consultative Committee (JCC) Leon Pickering claimed that there had been full consultation throughout: “The plans were very well explained on more than one occasion. “Obviously the JCC had reservations about the plans, but I feel they have been very carefully considered and are changes that are necessary.
However, first-year Balliol English student Jon Turner disagreed with that sentiment, claiming: “As good as classes are, they obviously don't really compare to tutorials. As individual students we certainly haven't been consulted on these changes.” Earlier this term The Oxford Student reported how the Theology department was considering tutorial reform, following similar plans for Law, Medicine and Physiology.
The University has stressed there will be no financial benefits derived as a result of the planned reforms, with a spokeswoman claiming the changes wouldn't save Oxford any money. “Staff at this university have higher teaching workloads than their counterparts elsewhere in the UK and the US, and the reforms will reduce this burden. “We also feel that the emphasis, particularly for undergraduates, on tutorialbased teaching is not the best one.
The University also highlighted the results of a student survey conducted at the end of last term, in which just 31 per cent of respondents claimed they weren't overworked under the tutorial system.
24th Feb 2005