No lectures - quality reform is blamed
At the Institute of Comparative Politics the schedule for
the third term is rather simple. Only once a week is there
any teaching at all. This is apparently because of the new
«quality reform» which, ironically, was meant to give students
more tutoring and assistance. Lecturer Jan Olav Engene explains
how much of the available resources are needed to adapt to
the new quality reform. And he only apologises for the poor
situation. – The basic structure of this course has been the
same since Adam and Eve’s days, he says. -Students will do
well by using notes from previous years and catching up with
assigned literature. Student Kjersti Koffeld feels the ‘antique’
of the course should only make it easier to give lectures;
teaching now should be an easy routine. – Placing the blame
on the quality reform is a simple excuse, another student
says.
No bus discount drives couple broke
Kjersti Roman has been on the phone with Bergen’s bus company
Gaia to confirm her travel discount is missing. She and her
husband are students, both over 30. When you reach this age,
there are no more reduced bus fares, even for students. –
It is completely just to study when you have passed 30, Roman
says. She is confused about how the public system discriminates
where the university doesn’t. The couple depends on the bus
service. – When you have three children it is hard enough
to get by on a student’s loan. As most students are under
30, one may ask why those over that age have not completed
their courses. – In addition to long-lasting study programs,
childbirth or illness may cause further delay, Roman explains.
Housing situation sorted out
The foreign students who found themselves with nowhere to
stay in Bergen have are all been housed. – The university
deserves credit for this, as they have done a good job, says
Ivar Henriksen, the housing manager of the student’s union.
(SiB) Still, one is not certain no more students than the
330 already here will arrive. Last week Studvest told how
‘guaranteed’ rooms meant nothing more than a mattress in a
hall. Now, however, the situation seems to be under control.
There are even vacant rooms at Fantoft, the student village
where most foreign students live.
Alexander Kemp
28.08.02
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