The University’s recent move to push hybrid-formatted classes is degrading the level of education I receive at Boise State University.

A hybrid class is split into two components: one part is online (via Blackboard or similar website) while the other consists of regular in class meetings. The reason given for these hybrid classes is to free up classroom space.

The university believes that by offering a portion of the class online, there will be less [he means fewer] students taking up room in the classroom. Yes, it is true; BSU has enacted a policy to keep students out of the classroom.

The problem with this solution is that they haven’t actually freed up any classrooms at all. [T]he hybrid class I am taking this semester class is only on Thursdays, but the classroom is still reserved for the class on Tuesday, so it goes unused on that day.

Since BSU needs more classrooms it should build some, not sacrifice my education with this hasty solution.




I do not learn as much in a hybrid course as I would in a traditional classroom setting. Rather than lecturing, the professor assigns reading and message board posts in its place. While reading is fine, it cannot take the place of a lecture. Posting, on the other hand, is of little educational value to me. These hybrid classes are not listed as such on Bronco Web or in the course catalog.

They are listed just like any other regular class, so you cannot tell when you register if it is hybrid until the class starts and by then it’s too late for many students to drop the class. By not listing these classes as hybrids Boise State has taken away the student’s ability to choose the format that is best for his or her learning.

This hasty solution highlights some severe flaws in Idaho’s education system; there aren’t even enough classrooms to hold our college students. Instead of offering second-rate hybrid classes, BSU should build more classrooms.




We all saw how fast the new multi-million dollar indoor sports facility shot up, but they [have] yet to build a new classroom facility.

That money should have been used for education first and sports second. While the new campus master plan calls for new facilities, the bottom line is that we have needed these classrooms for a while.

A few years wait just won’t do.