Nadra Mabrouk/Assistant News Director
Ten days after the start of the spring term, and the malcontent is ever present in the air, ranging from full classrooms to bug bites.
There will always be a student or two who will walk in late in the middle of the class and steal others’ attention for a second from the professor’s lecture. In Cristal Ramos’ case, there was not a lecture to interrupt.
“On the first day of class, one of my professors was 30 minutes late,” said Ramos, sophomore and journalism major.
Often, students like to enjoy reading outside by the bay or eating their lunch in one of the swing seats outside the Bay cafeteria while studying or catching up in between classes. These peaceful moments can be hindered, or in fact, slightly biting.
“There’s an increase in bug activity; I’ve gotten bit everywhere,” said Hector Gonzalez, a junior and psychology major.
There was more availability of classes for some, leaving them pleased that they do not have to rely on paying the recently increased Golden Panther Express fare of $2.50 to get to the Modesto Maidique Campus for class.
“This is the first semester where I could find all of the classes I need at Biscayne Bay Campus with good professors,” said Michelle Reyes, a sophomore and business major. “There should always be that wide of a selection at this campus. I don’t need the shuttle this term.”
Not every student was lucky, though.
“All of the classes that I need are full and even when there are spots, professors just don’t let you register anymore,” said Ned Chandler, a sophomore and fine arts major. “I registered for a painting class that ended up getting cancelled. I had to rush around last minute to find a class that fit my schedule.”
The rush to find classes was not the only conflict. Students also have had difficulty getting books in on time and in the way that they find most feasible.
“I’ve tried to rent my textbooks for class but they weren’t available for rent and so I had to buy all of them,” said Alison Ho, sophomore and business major.
Another textbook titled, “Elements of Moral Philosophy” was unavailable until the middle of the second week for freshman and biology major Ilana Korchia.
“I like the use of access codes because you get to learn on your own pace online, but they’re very expensive,” said Niloufar Firouzi-Badoorally, a freshman and pre-med. “A lot of the access codes aren’t even available in the bookstore.”
The lack of available textbooks and classes were just the tip of the iceberg of concerns. Some students even expressed malcontent towards the availability of parking by the bay.
“There’s just never any parking. There’s always spaces available in the meter parking and the faculty,” said Brittney Ward, senior Early Childhood Education major, “They should take some of those spots out and make them for students.”
With the lack of spaces, the parking fees seem to be an inconvenient redundancy.
“Why do I have to pay the parking fee twice? The $80 fee should be one time. I think it is unreasonable,” said Yuyang Hou, sophomore Business major.
Not everyone is pleased with the quiet late afternoons on campus.
“There should be more activity on this campus,” said Badoorally, “There should be more life here.”
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