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Judi Terrio has been teaching math at the University of Idaho since
graduating from here in 1994 — she was recently told to start looking
for another job.
“I put my heart and soul into my teaching,” she said. “I really do love this university. I will miss
it dearly.”
The Mathematics Department teaches basic math skills to UI students in
a wide range of majors including engineering, science and business.
It’s currently facing likely faculty layoffs and increased class sizes
as a result of a possible 7-10 percent budget cut next year.
Judi Terrio has been teaching math at the University of Idaho since graduating from here in 1994 — she was recently told to start looking for another job.
“I put my heart and soul into my teaching,” she said. “I really do love this university. I will miss
it dearly.”
The Mathematics Department teaches basic math skills to UI students in a wide range of majors including engineering, science and business. It’s currently facing likely faculty layoffs and increased class sizes as a result of a possible 7-10 percent budget cut next year.
“Whenever we have a cutback, it’s going to affect how we deliver what we deliver,” said Monte Boisen, chair of the mathematics department. “Most of our money is invested in people.”
Boisen said he warned six non-tenured math faculty they might be laid off, so they could start looking for another job early.
“We’re not going to blindside anyone,” he said. “They are a part of our family, and we are very sad about this situation.”
Gary Peterson, a math lecturer, said he was also warned about possibly losing his job. He said he worries layoffs will result in larger class sizes, which will reduce the quality of education for students.
“I think it cuts into what the math department views as valuable to undergraduates,” he said. “I don’t know what the students’ reactions will be.”
Peterson and Terrio teach several calculus classes. Peterson said if they are laid off, calculus would be offered less often and taught in class sizes up to 250 students.
“Every student coming into this university needs to take a math class,” Terrio said. “I think the retention rate is going to drop drastically.”
Terrio said she worries the remaining faculty will have to take on the burden of those who have been laid off.
Most of the classes that could be directly affected by layoffs are lower-level courses such as Math 160 Survey of Calculus and Math 170 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I. Other courses may be indirectly affected, Boisen said.
Despite the setbacks, the department is working to keep classes as small as possible and minimize the effects on students, Boisen said. He said he is looking into cross-listing math courses with the physics and engineering departments, as well as sharing classes with Washington State University.
“We are facing an extreme challenge,” he said.
Boisen said he has submitted a Request for Innovation seeking to expand software-based learning systems such as the Polya Math lab, so students can learn without a lecture. He said students learning math on their own are “empowered” by their independence.
Dean of the College of Science Scott Wood said a number of options were considered, but because of the constraints, layoffs may be necessary.
“I think the math department has done a great job of trying to mitigate the effects,” he said.
The Polya lab could also be affected by the possible layoffs, because there will be fewer faculty around to help students, Peterson said.
Boisen said the Polya system is almost full.
Peterson said he was planning on teaching at UI for another nine years, but would likely have to start looking for jobs in other fields.
“I’d prefer to teach math,” he said.
Peterson said he understood the nature of tenure and why non-tenured faculty are chosen to be cut, but thought Terrio was not expendable. He said he once joined with Boisen in recommending her for a teaching award.
“I see her as a very devoted teacher,” he said. “I think the university will suffer a great loss.”
Boisen said he would not confirm or deny the identities of at-risk faculty to protect the privacy rights of the individuals.
“The math department is an excellent department,” Terrio said. “I’ve been very fortunate to work here.”
Terrio said she thinks math is still important to higher-education curriculum and is continuing to find new applications in fields such as computer science and biology.
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