April 26, 2005

Dear Dean Bischoff:

The Faculty Senate strongly supports the continued teaching of Latin and Greek at Wichita State University.  Classical languages are the heart of a traditional liberal education, and they have been taught at WSU since the founding of Fairmount College in 1896. 

Offering a wide variety of courses is the benchmark of a university.  The teaching of Latin and Greek augments many disciplines beyond the Modern and Classical Literature and Language Department.  Thirty-eight courses in Philosophy, History, English, Religion, and Art History explore aspects of the classical world in which Latin and Greek were the dominant languages.   In the spring semester of 2004, 357 students enrolled in these classes; 485 students took them the following fall.  

Latin and Greek remain viable courses on many campuses.  Other Regents’ institutions, regional universities, and most of our national peer institutions have good enrollments in Latin, Greek, and classical civilization programs.  Several local high schools also teach Latin—in at least one case as a required subject.  WSU, however, is the only institution of higher education in Kansas with Latin accreditation.  If we drop Latin, students studying to become high school teachers will have to receive their certification outside the state.  The entire Kansas academic community would be adversely affected without the teaching of Latin and Greek at WSU.

The Faculty Senate earnestly recommends that Wichita State continues to meet the classical educational standards expected of a comprehensive university.  Furthermore, it is our hope that the committee you appointed to study this issue will explore ways not only to maintain the teaching of Latin and Greek but recommend the expansion of course offerings in classical civilizations. 

Will Klunder

President, Faculty Senate

copy:

John Hutchinson, VPAAR

Eunice D. Meyers, chair, MCLL