By
Ryan Gabrielson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Teaching more could mean less research, profs say
While the workload of UA professors has increased over the past five years, the state legislature is now examining the three state institutions to determine if even further increases are necessary.
But some University of Arizona professors said they don't think an increase in time spent teaching could hurt the university.
"We're engaged in discovering new knowledge," said Alan Bernstein, history professor.
The UA, a student-centered research institution, facilitates research in several fields such as medicine and aerospace.
Much of this research is conducted by professors who also teach classes, Bernstein said.
"Creating new knowledge and getting students to take part is our mission," he said.
In 1996, UA professors averaged 4.37 hours of teaching per week, but by 1997, it had increased by 11.4 percent to 4.86 hours per week.
UA professors now average 4.93 hours per week.
"I think the legislature needs to think about what they want us to do," Jose Garcia, a physics professor, said.
An increase in teaching workloads could result in less time for professors to spend on their research, Garcia said.
"There are different regulations for different types of institutions," he said. "There are people who would enjoy teaching more, some would enjoy teaching less."
While Garcia added that instruction is a vital aspect of this university, he said its research base should be valued.
"Destroying that would be a tragedy," he said,
Both Northern Arizona University - with an average workload of 8.62 hours - and Arizona State University - with 5.94 hours of instruction - have higher workload averages than the UA.
However, Bernstein said that should not be the focus of the legislature.
"They don't know the difference between a research university and a high school," he said. "It's the job of the university administrators to explain our mission to the legislature so these things don't come up."
Ryan Gabrielson can be reached at city@wildcat.arizona.edu.
