Student Senate met Tuesday  (Sept. 16) in the Student Center conference rooms to discuss a new resolution and general concerns around campus.

The Senate proposed a resolution to keep class sizes small and advise against “any actions that would enlarge class size”. 

“This resolution is addressing some of the changes recently with the university,” said Student Senate Senator Josh Frey. “We want to stress that as students this is what we think is essential and why we think it’s important so we can demonstrate that to the administration.”

There was no class size number specified in the resolution since every class has a different dynamic, but the language of the text made it clear that class sizes need to remain small to maintain Ashland’s small campus dynamic. 

“A lecture for a chemistry class might be able to hold 50 people and still maintain its same character, whereas a philosophy class might need six people to maintain its character,” said Student Senate Senator Executive Vice President Steven Forbush. “Putting a number as a cap is very problematic. Putting a number on it would not be prudent.”

Even though there has been a drop this year in new students, which dropped from 1638 last school year to 722 this school year, class sizes have still been increasing. Faculty cuts are a big factor in class sizes. 

As faculty leave more classes are being taught in one section instead of two.  

“The number [in a class is] not important,” said Forbush,” but we should not be enlarging class sizes.”

Elections are being held for Student Senate on Monday Sept. 21 and Tuesday Sept. 22 in Convo during lunch and dinner.