CSU Teaching Loads

* Tom Hayden misrepresented the facts when he charged illegalities in faculty teaching loads at San Diego State (March 22). California State University faculty are required to teach 12 “weighted teaching units” (WTU), not 12 units of classes, as asserted by Hayden. The computation of WTU is based on three types of legitimate activities: scheduled classes; supervision of students doing such things as independent study, student teaching and internships; and assigned time for performance of specific, documented activities.

At CSU Long Beach, giving up assigned time would mean we would be unable to serve as many students as we do. A class of 160 students can properly be counted for six WTU, counting three units for the class and three units “assigned time” for an oversized class, in partial payment for the additional workload. The faculty member teaches two more classes to make up a full load. The individual student activities requiring supervision are some of the most valuable parts of the students’ education, and play an important part in preparation for jobs. Yes, CSU classes are larger than they should be. Yes, students who do not plan carefully may not be able to get a specific class at the time they would prefer. But those problems are a result of our high student-faculty ratios and would still exist if we gave up all efforts at flexibility and richness of opportunity.

DOROTHY M. GOLDISH, Chair

Academic Senate, Cal State Long Beach