Vinson Pressley/ Staff Writer
There is a possibility that locations at Biscayne Bay Campus usually reserved to see a movie or get free food for an event, may become areas for classes.
Certain courses will be taught in the Mary Ann Wolfe Theatre or the Wolfe University Center Ballrooms
“It hasn’t been finalized,” said Pablo Haspel, president of Student Government Council at BBC.
If the ballrooms or theater are chosen to become sites for future classes, the change “will be done to minimize conflict with established programming,” said Haspel.
Haspel elaborated on minimizing the conflict with other events by saying that classes held in the WUC Theatre or ballrooms will probably be scheduled morning or evening classes. Haspel mentioned later on that classes were held in the WUC Theatre just a few years ago.
Emmanuel Jerome, treasurer for the Student Programming Council at BBC is against the idea.
“I hate it. The ballrooms and theatre are our main venues for us to have our main events like comedy shows, concerts [and the] lecture series,” said Jerome.
Jerome hopes that if this plan is finalized, that classes will be held in the morning since “not many of [SPC’s] events start that early;” “most of SPC’s events run from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m,” said Jerome.
Marie Pierre, outreach director for the Student Organizations Council has a different perspective on the matter.
“I don’t think it’ll cause complications. MMC uses the SIPA auditorium for classes and there’s been no problems there,” said Pierre.
Pierre later on mentioned that if a problem does occur with scheduling, SOC would try to collaborate with professors and administrators to ensure that events do not interfere with class time. “Education is a priority and it should come first, then an event for SOC,” said Pierre.
She also said if necessary, SOC would either hold the event outside, reschedule or cancel to ensure it does not disturb classes.
Some students have no objections about having classes taught in the WUC Theater or Ballrooms.
Amera Jordan, junior hospitality management major believes having classes in the WUC Ballrooms or WUC Theater will reduce the number of students in other classes by using the available space. “It is a good idea to reduce the amount of students in the classroom,” Jordan said.
“We can offer more classes but we’ll have to hire more teachers,” said sophomore Sofia Iglesia. Iglesia would not mind if classes were held in the WUC Theater or WUC Ballrooms. Iglesia mentioned that this semester she couldn’t take a necessary Physics 2 class because it was already full and she will have to wait until next semester to take it.
“It sucks because there’s only one physics professor at BBC and MMC is too far,” said Iglesia. Iglesia also discussed the size of her science classes. She estimated that her chemistry class had about 200 students and her physics course had about 100-150 students.
Although some students see the potential benefits, others are not quite as confident in this potential decision.
“I appreciate [that FIU] is trying to reduce class sizes but it would still create bigger classes,” said Karen Gonzalez, sophomore international business major. Gonzalez mentioned that due to the size of the WUC Theatre and ballrooms, it would still foster a large classroom given the amount of space available.
“I think it’s kind of pointless,” said Edwin Gonzalez, sophomore accounting major who pointed out the drawbacks of having courses in the WUC Ballrooms. Gonzalez expressed concern that having courses in the WUC Ballrooms may affect the events that are usually held there.
Gonzalez was in favor of having courses in the WUC Theatre though, saying he would like to see classes such as Introduction to Psychology, Music Appreciation and other courses that students usually take during their first year of college.
Gonzalez mentioned that seeing as his Psychology of Drugs course has over 225 students, he wouldn’t mind seeing courses of this nature held in the WUC Theater.
The WUC Administration was not available for comment as of press time.
