Small classrooms make Norwich attractive to students

NorwichUniversity, a small, private college, has a strong appeal to incoming students. The small class sizes and availability of professors is a winning combination that has given the university a magnetic characteristic, according to Norwich students.

Kristine Brammer, a 19-year-old sophomore from Littleton, N.H. double majoring in English and education, transferred from University of Southern Maine to Norwich.

"It's definitely a good attribute, because you get more one-on-one time when you need help from your professors (in class)," she said. "You're actually on a first name basis with your professors!"

Norwich's website (http://www.norwich.edu/admissions/quickfacts.html) states that "approximately 2,100 cadets, civilian residents, and commuters attend Norwich University, along with about 1,200 graduate students."                                                                                                     

The website also states that there are 112 full-time faculty members; giving the school a ratio of 14 students per professor.

Sarah DeBouter, a 19-year-old sophomore from Middlebury, Vt. double majoring in English and education, agreed saying a large class size is roughly "25 to 30 people, at Norwich. In general some colleges can have up to 150 people in a class." However, an average class size "at Norwich is about 10 to 15."

The consensus of average class size seems to be the same for students and professors alike. The exception is core-class lectures.

Karen Hinkle, associate professor of biology at Norwich, said that her lower division classes- like basic biology- may have 50 to 60 students, whereas her more specific classes have the average, 10 to 15 students.

Doug Smith, instructor of communications at Norwich, said that he teaches classes with between 15 and 30 students, and that class size does not make a difference in student success.

DeBouter disagrees. "Going from a major (at Norwich) where I had on average 30 (students) in a class to a major where I now have 10 to 15, I'd have to say I like the 10 to 15 class size better, the smaller class sizes."

"It's more hands on, people participate more," she explained. "We have better class discussions and I think it's a better learning environment. You also have more time with the teacher if you need it."

Daniel White, a 20-year-old sophomore from Exeter, N.H. majoring in criminal justice, agreed.

 "I'd definitely prefer the smaller class, because I feel like the teacher spends more time with you, and people tend to participate more because there are less people," White said.

Hinkle said that her students "seem to say that they prefer smaller courses since they can interact with fellow students and the professor more effectively."   

"I believe that every student is different; some thrive no matter what the class size is, and others prefer either larger or smaller courses," she said.

Over the years, Norwich's student retention and enrollment has increased. However, the class sizes have remained small.

Hinkle commented that professors "are working with the administration to keep the class sizes similar to what they have been in the past."

 "This means with increasing enrollments that we have to offer more sections of each course," Hinkle said.  "This often means hiring non-regular faculty (visiting faculty, lecturers, and part-time adjuncts)."