I am writing in regard to the administration's proposal of dropping the proverbial guillotine upon the foreign language department.

This concerns me because this university preaches the gospel of an international experience one day, then on the next day, proposes sweeping cuts of that very opportunity. If an international experience truly is desired by the administration, then it should maintain its commitment to these programs rather than cut them. With 2000 census figures demonstrating an increase in the Hispanic culture, then it would only be appropriate that students be given the tools (in this case, the opportunity to learn or advance their language skills) to succeed in this environment of change.

How much more difficult will it then be for students to obtain a seat in these courses? It already is very competitive to secure a seat in one of the many sections in the Spanish department. I was not even able to start in Spanish 101 last semester because it was full almost two months before I was able to enroll during the first freshman orientation session in June. Instead, I had to be content with being pushed back one semester to be able to start my career-required Spanish program.

If the department is cut by 25, 50 or even 75 percent, how long will students like myself have to wait to start? How long will we have to wait to get into the next level course if there is that much more competition for the few slots available?

We must not jeopardize the integrity of either the academic programs or the learning environment of the students in those programs. Having a Spanish section with 50 to 75 people in it is not conducive to acquiring a conversational proficiency.

I believe that the university should demonstrate to the students that it intends to walk its talk of internationalism and opportunity.

Bruce James Serven
agribusiness management freshman