Students taking chemistry classes this fall won't get to see as many demonstrations as their predecessors, because chemistry demonstrator Sheldon Knoespel will no longer be experimenting.
Knoespel, who was in the position for 14 years, was responsible for doing all the demonstrations in different chemistry classes that emphasized what was being taught in the classroom. His position was eliminated when he was let go July 1.
"Well everybody recognizes the fact that for a little while there might be some demos," Knoespel said. "A few people who like demos will do them, but they're not going to be able to do the complicated ones."
Chemistry department chairman John McCracken said Knoespel was laid off because of financial reasons.
"It's in response to budget reductions," McCracken said. "The last two years we've had a 3-4 percent cut to the reoccurring budget because of state budget short falls. I discussed it with faculty members and we thought we could take care of the demonstrations in other ways.
"It's getting to the point that if an employee's function isn't essential, the news doesn't look good."
One of Knoespel's former students and current Williamston High School chemistry teacher William Struck sent an e-mail to both MSU President M. Peter McPherson and Provost and President-designate Lou Anna Simon asking that Knoespel's position not be eliminated.
Struck claimed if Knoespel left, MSU would be the only Big Ten University without a chemistry demonstrator, although representatives from the Universities of Illinois and Iowa both say professors are responsible for doing demonstrations.
"Quite frankly, some of the professors are so dry you thank god for Sheldon otherwise people would be asleep," Struck said.
McCracken said he agrees the demonstrations are important, but he thinks other chemistry professors can take care of the slack.
"When I started in 1990 we had been without one and there were few demonstrations, and eventually that'll happen," McCracken said. "It's a bad thing but it's a question of what's necessary to carry out classes and what isn't."
Simon agrees, and says that in order to make sure the university can make ends meet, it needs to find other ways to survive financially.
"I think keeping cost under control is something all universities have to do in the foreseeable future," Simon said. "We need to argue for better support of public universities and other forms of revenue besides the state, that's why research contracts are important."
Students who were in classes of Knoespel's say they wish he wouldn't have to leave.
"I think it's a shame because I really enjoyed when he would come in and do his demos," chemistry senior Todd Goshorn said. "It was a break from the norm and it gave me an alternative way to view chemistry. I think it's a damn shame."
Some of Knoespel's fellow chemistry professors say they are going to miss having him around to help out as well.
"I could sit for a half an hour with Sheldon, give him my calendar and figure out all the demos he's going to do in the semester, saving at least two hours of work a week," chemistry Professor Marcos Dantus said.
Edward Burton, a chemistry demonstrator at the University of Michigan, said having a demonstrator saves time and is safer.
"It takes time to set these things up and they can get pretty nasty if you're not careful," Burton said.
Meanwhile, Knoespel is looking to the future.
"Right now I'm looking into various things to do," Knoespel said. "If I can get back to high school teaching that's where I'll go. If I can get another position at MSU - that's my highest priority."
