There is a problem at SIUC. It is almost impossible for students to talk with their professors when a question arises.

Many students complain about the difficulty encountered when trying to meet professors during scheduled office hours. Some have class during the set times and some professors have very limited amounts of time each week to meet with students. Often students have to seek out classmates who might be able to help, or continue to be confused, which is unfortunate.

This is one of the issues being addressed in the ongoing contract negotiations between the University administration and the faculty union.

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According to the administration’s counteroffer, …Faculty members shall hold office hours on at least three days a week, preferably at different times during the day, at times convenient to their students. The number of office hours held each week will not be less than the faculty member’s assigned number of contact hours a week.

In a letter to the editor Jan. 23, one professor raised concerns about increased office hours, stating, A 3-3 (Three three-hour classes in a semester) load requires nine office hours per week. A Daily Egyptian article Tuesday, Proposed contract divides SIUC faculty, also raised concerns about increased office hours affecting the ability of professors to conduct research, which is one of the requirements to become and remain a tenured faculty member at this institution.

It is important for both sides to acknowledge such problems as each side tries to reach an amicable solution.

Students should not be forgotten as both the Faculty Association and administration push for what each side thinks is best. Research is important to this institution, and a goal of SIUC should be to maintain its Carnegie II status.

Recruitment and retention, as well as image, are priorities. If students cannot get the necessary assistance from professors, all of these will suffer.

Both sides should put petty differences aside and strive to increase the availability and accessibility of this University’s faculty.

The ongoing negotiations are not about the faculty union or about the administration. The debate is about strengthening this University at its core, which from any direction leads back to the students.

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There is a place for research, but it is hoped that one issue will not be sacrificed for the other. Research is important, but without students, there will be no University at which to conduct research.