I always hear about MSU priding itself in all of its great accomplishments, which I might add, are numerous and noteworthy. But I never hear about the bad things, which need correcting.

And once you get to thinking about these things, there really are a lot. I have spent the past weekend reviewing many of the policies which are annoying and wrong. Surprisingly, I came up with several.

First, I would like to discuss some of the prerequisites that undergraduates are forced to take, namely those which fall under the subject of Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities, particularly IAH 201.

This class touches on various topics such as human nature, slavery, immigrations, modernism, etc. Now, don’t get me wrong, I think everyone should have to learn about these issues. But most of us have already learned about these things while in high school.

Still, we are forced to take this tedious four-credit class at the sum of $600. Why are there no alternatives? Why can we not take history, philosophy or even art history in its place?

Sure, many students would prefer just to take IAH 201 to boost their grade-point average. But personally, I came to college to learn things, to be challenged. Not to review subjects that were taught in high school. Yet, I have no choice. And so I continue to go to Bessey Hall three nights a week to watch cheesy documentaries that MSU produced in an effort to “teach” us these subjects. Though some students do not know what poetry is or refuse to believe the bad things that Americans have done, I don’t see why others have to suffer. I would much rather be sitting in an art history class, discussing modern art at great depth, than trying to define jazz. And so, I believe those of us who want a choice, should have available alternatives.

Second, is the subject of Math 1825. Yes, I failed the math evaluation test my freshman year and was placed into this class. And for many of you, the class is pathetic and you were given the choice of taking a higher level class. I was not. And so, I do my math work every night, taking the quizzes, paying the $450 course fee. So why then does this class not apply toward graduation credits? Sure, I like to label this class “Math for dummies.” But in my opinion, American Thought & Language is English for dummies. But at least it counts toward something other than your GPA.

Basically, the university has said that this class is so pathetic, that it cannot count toward graduation credits. But this is an insult to myself and others enrolled in this class. So we need help with math, why are we being punished for this? And more importantly, where is my money going? For God sakes, either make these credits count, or don’t charge the course fee. It’s as simple as that.

Third, I come to the subject of English-speaking teaching assistants and professors. When I take a class, I expect clarity. I live in the United States, and though I am fluent in another language, I like to be taught in good old American English. None of us should be forced to struggle in a class because our instructor’s English is so bad that we might as well be sitting in a foreign language class. We are all paying MSU in exchange for an instructor to guide us in understanding the material. A favorite history professor of mine says that his job is to “open the shade and let in some light.” But when I have a non-English speaking instructor, he or she might as well turn the lights off altogether. Again, why are we paying for this? When I come out of an anatomy class understanding Japanese better than my own body, something is wrong.

Next, is the irritating policy of double-majoring. I am not at MSU for just one major. I am taking the initiative to do an extra major. And I am using all of my electives and taking extra courses in the summer so that I may do this. Yet, MSU will not acknowledge this at my graduation or on my diploma.

Upon graduating, I will stand up with one of my majors that I completed. I will watch as people in my other major stand up, knowing that I did all the work with them, yet I will not be acknowledged for it. And my extra major will not appear on my diploma, which will hang in my office for the rest of my life. Why is this so? I did the work. I took extra classes. But no one but myself, not even MSU, will recognize this. I am failing to understand the system. Is it that big of a deal to print an extra line on a diploma and allow a student to stand up with both of his or her colleges? Apparently so.

And, speaking of majors, what’s up with the “undecided” undergraduate counselors? Their jobs are supposed to help undecided students channel areas of interest into a major or a career. But they don’t. Their answer to me my freshman year was to “take an advertising class.” In fact, interestingly enough, most of the students in my Advertising 205 class were undecided majors. I guess that’s the new answer. No career quizzes. No major explorations. Just good old advertising. Gee, thanks.

These are just a few of the many pet peeves I have with this university. I think that MSU is a great place with numerous resources. But some things have to change. And MSU must recognize the bad with the good and rectify these problems. Only then can we take greater pride.

Erin Yerke, a State News undergraduate columnist, can be reached at yerkeeri@msu.edu.