It is registration time and many students are running into some of the same problems. Either there are several classes not offered next semester or it just says “faculty” as the professor, which means that the class may not be available.

Who is to blame for this? Well, you can point fingers in several different places. One target is Gov. Scott McCallum and the state Legislature. The budget crisis being debated in Madison is certainly taking a toll on students at UW-Eau Claire.

The next target, which has been getting a lot of criticism lately, is the UW System Board of Regents. Upon their decision, all of the Systems’ schools have been forced to freeze the hiring of new professors.

If you want to join the “norm,” the blame can even be placed on those darn terrorists, who have screwed the U.S. economy altogether. Whomever you choose to blame, the problem is big.

This certainly is affecting those professors trying to get a job, but it is also hurting the students at UW campuses across the state. As a journalism major I am experiencing the effects of this freeze firsthand. There are so few classes available and the ones offered have only one section and are only taught by “department faculty.” Even though I register Friday, I am praying there will be at least one seat open for the classes I need.ÿ

This freeze is affecting every department on campus, and every student hoping to graduate on time. Could this freeze be a plot to keep students at the university longer so the system can get more money out of them? I am sure it isn’t, but it sure feels like it.

The main concern of anyone in the education field should be the students. It should not be about money ALL of the time. We need people on the board who try to cater to the needs of students rather than politicians or banks. ÿ

Recently the Board lifted its admissions freeze on campuses. This was definitely the wrong thing to do. Of course, it would be nice to let all high school seniors into the UW schools, but the quality of education they will receive is not worth what they will pay for tuition.

The Board should have thought more clearly and lifted the hiring freeze. Students need more professors to learn, not more students. It would be in the best interest of everyone involved if these vacant positions were filled.

I would like to offer a suggestion to the Board. Last semester a number of university chancellors, including ours, received significant raises. So did the UW System president, whose raise was extremely large. If the budget is such an issue why was it so necessary that these positions receive raises while others are practically eliminated?

I understand that it is important that the System be able to offer competitive wages in response to the wages in other states. But why now? I always thought the most important people at a school were the teachers, and I still feel this way. So why is it OK to keep jobs from them and give a raise to those who are rarely in a classroom in direct contact with students, who are paying their salaries?

I am extremely unhappy with the Board’s recent actions. I value my education and deserve a great one if I have to pay for it. I only hope the Board can fix its mistake before it is too late. I wish you all good luck finding the classes you need and professors to teach them.