Provost seeks changes in math performance

CSU-Pueblo Provost Russ Meyer has cleared misconceptions about the math learning center’s speculated closure. Meyer said the center will remain open through the fall semester of 2008 without a doubt.

“I’m not saying it will close after next fall semester,” Meyer said. “However, there will be a further study of the success rate involving students enrolled in math.”

The provost continued to explain that there was never a problem with the center’s budget, but that it was only a misunderstanding because of his concern of students simply not passing their math courses.

“It’s not just about passing,” Meyer said. “Students are failing after several attempts to pass the same course.”

In addition, Meyer said there is roughly 1200 students enrolled in at least one math course this semester, but he said this number does not match the center’s numbers directly. The math learning center reported a total of 6,876 visits as of Dec. 6.

“The center counts visits, not individual students,” Meyer said. “I would like to know how many students out of the 1200 enrolled in math are actually using the center’s assistance, and passing as well.”

Meyer also said he has had a few students come to his office and ask him to waive the math requirement in order for them to graduate. He said some students asked for a waiver even before they attempted to take any math courses.

“We’re not selling college degrees here,” Meyer said. “I have no sympathy for students that do not even attempt the course.”

However, Meyer said he agrees math is a tough subject and it is not easy for everyone.

In conjunction with Meyer’s opinions on the academic field, Math Learning Center Director Mary Middleton said she also feels that math does not come easy to all students.

“Of course we’re concerned with the success of our students,” Middleton said. “I think we will be re-evaluating our previous approach to math and try to start fresh.”

Both Middleton and Meyer said math faculty and staff will possibly attend work shops in an effort to improve the teaching methods during the near future.

“It’s our goal in the center to adjust with the new generations of students,” Middleton said. “It’s a growing process and we want to focus on that.”

In addition, Meyer said he understands that students may not comprehend math in the way it is taught at the university.

“I am aware that other universities are concerned with the success of students in specific subjects such as math,” Meyer said.

Meyer also said he would mainly like to perform a comprehensive study on the difference between courses offered at the community college level and at a four year institution.

“Besides the difference in the courses, we are looking at the performance rate at both levels of education as well,” Meyer said.

The provost also said he has been involved in similar studies while working in Kansas. In addition, Meyer said he has contact with a provost at Western Washington University who has also tackled the same problem with students and specific subjects. According to Meyer, his colleague’s university is extremely selective and he is working to find different approaches to improve the math performance at CSU-Pueblo.

“Universities are always battling to attain the best students,” Meyer said. “Even the best universities still want better students than they already have.”

Aside from the current poor performance, Meyer said the university is also battling with the higher education system in Colorado. He said all of the high schools are only requiring students to take three years of math. Meyer said these same students are expecting to attend college without a struggle.

“It is almost impossible to take a break from a subject like math,” Meyer said. “Once high school students sail through senior year, they are unprepared for college level math.”

Meyer said he hopes to have more communication with the higher education system so there is a better transition for students graduating high school and enrolling in college.

“Again, we are talking about student retention,” Meyer said. “We don’t want to turn away or discourage students because of a subject like math.”

In addition, Meyer said there will be a review of whether or not the remedial mathematic courses will continue to be included in the university’s curriculum in the future.

“The remedial courses may be hurting students more than they are helping,” Meyer said. “Students are clearly still struggling with these classes as well.”

Although Meyer will conduct a thorough review of the mathematic performance at CSU-Pueblo, the center’s doors are open in order to help all students who are taking math courses.

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