Confusing courses

UNIV classes that complete high school requirements have no place at UGA

It’s undeniable that we attend one of the finest universities in the state and are fortunate enough to reap the benefits associated with that. We all worked hard to get here and, with the bar being raised each year, we expect the same to be true of each incoming freshmen class.

However, there seem to be a few students slipping in under the radar.

The UNIV courses offered here at the University are considered “learning support courses” and are tailored to those who failed to complete their college prep requirements in high school.

Although it’s great that we’re trying to help students who did not pass these classes, we can’t help but wonder why they’re here at all.

If admissions personnel come across an applicant who doesn’t know Algebra or basic grammar, why would they send that student an acceptance letter? There were plenty of others denied who met the requirements.

Earl Ginter, the director of the division of academic enhancement, stated on page 2 that those who take UNIV courses fall into various groups and that the number of accepted students who take them shrinks each year. Yet he still does not explain why we are offering classes that – without being passed in high school – should have prevented someone from graduating.

Any student who attends the University without the necessary high school credits has no business being here. It’s not the University’s responsibility to help students play catch-up, and offering these classes takes resources away from those who earned the right to be here.

- Megan Otto for the editorial board