Survey: students taken more seriously by professors

In comparison with national statistics, Cabrini students report that they are taken more seriously by professors than students at other colleges reporting their experiences. However, Cabrini students feel that they challenge the professors' ideas in class less when compared with students of colleges throughout the nation.

by Nick Luchko

staff writer

Cabrini students generally feel that the faculty take them seriously in most of their classes

Nevertheless, they felt they were~1i,to challenge a professor's ideas, accor g to a recent Student Development surv~

Although half of the student bod feels that they are taken senously and at they are challenged in class, when compared with the national statistics, it is a different story.

Compared to 80 percent of students in the national survey, 65 percent of Cabrini students say they would challenge a professor's ideas.

But to Cabrini's praise, 51 percent of the students felt they were taken seriously by professors, as compared with 39 percent nationally.

The survey was administered by the Higher Education Research Center of UCLA. Cabrini was one of 33 four-year Catholic colleges to participate.

The amount of students to tak~in this survey came out to about l 00, ~7 of the students totally completing the survey.

'The education here at Cabrini is education of the heart," said Dr. Robert Bonfiglio, vice president of student development. 'There is intellectual development here, but social development is present as well."

"I feel that the teachers here at Cabrini to help the students out;' said Becky Juric , a sophomore. 'They go out of their way t

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"I love it when my students challenge me," said Dr. Marice Bezdek, an English professor.

Bonfiglio also points to advising as another means through which faculty members show they care for and respect the students.

''I feel that the advising is good, but other things are elaborated as well on a personal level," said sophomore Trish Arnold.

"Teaching and advising go hand in hand here," said Dr. Joseph Romano, professor of philosophy.

However, there are other students who feel that they are not challenged by their teachers.

"Some of the teachers do [challenge their students], but some do not," said sophomore

Dena Zattoni.

One complaint from most students is that they feel that they are afraid of what the teacher might say if the student goes against them in class.

"Sometimes I wonder if the students feel that the teachers are considered authority figures and won't speak out," said Bezdek.

''I think the students should feel comfortable with the critical thinking aspect of learning," Romano said.

"Teachers that I have had don't even challenge us," said first-year student Greg Queen.

This, too, is another complainL Students feel that teachers do not even let the students participate in class and just have a discussion all to themselves. r

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