Graduate teachers often more devoted to students

Editor,

As a UNM alumnus, I know that my degree is most valuable when it represents a rigorous and thorough education. Courses that are either too easy, or too poorly taught - whether by graduate students or tenured faculty - undermine the University's reputation.

I am writing in response to Sara Grover's criticism of teaching by graduate students, as some of the most interesting courses that I took as an undergraduate at UNM were taught by graduate students.

Especially for lower-division courses, I found that graduate instructors were not only sufficiently knowledgeable, but also frequently more devoted to first-year students than their tenured counterparts. Whereas full-time faculty may lack the energy to teach introductory classes with zeal, graduate students are typically enthusiastic to teach anything, even introductory courses. It was my experience that graduate instructors were often more accessible outside of class than full professors.

Just as patients at UNM Hospital are regularly seen by advanced medical students under the supervision of established specialists, students are similarly taught by apprentices under the guidance of tenured faculty. Universities are not merely trying to save money with these courses; graduate instructors are on their way to becoming professors. For this reason, I am honored to have taken sociology 101, for instance, with Jerry Daday, who is now a professor at Western Kentucky University.

Graduate assistantships exist because these bright young people have the right to develop their abilities before taking tenure-track positions. It is the University's duty to prepare them for the job market. Lower-division math courses, which have changed little over the decades, are especially suitable for graduate students in that field who need to practice teaching before entering the job market.

I would rather have a few introductory courses taught by up-and-coming scholars so that my upper-division courses can be taught by the experts. Some of my favorite 101 classes were taught by tenured professors who were often world authorities, but some of my other favorite 101 classes were taught just as effectively by graduate students. It matters little to me whether class lectures were prepared a week ago or a decade ago. A degree at UNM is most worthwhile when the instructor, graduate, part-time, tenure-track or emeritus is enthusiastic and willing to help me learn.

Richard Obenauf

UNM alumnus