Proposal Justification Draft

            The proposed research on the effect of classes with excessive curricula on students, instructors, and professors is the most sensible as well as the most economically viable option for the University of Florida. This is because conducting extensive research into the matter brings the issue to the attention of university administrators (which is likely to prevent it from further escalating) and the true extent of the problem can be uncovered, leading to a clear starting point from which to discuss the implementation of practical solutions. The ideas for these practical solutions will have come from concrete information and therefore will be highly likely to solve the problem permanently.

            The immediate consequence of completing this research is that extensive information about how overfilled curricula affect students, instructors, and professors will be brought to the attention of UF administrators. This research, having been conducted by a professional company, will be in a format that they will acknowledge as rigorous and accurate. As such, administration will no longer be able to overlook the issue of overstuffed curricula, leading to, at the very least, discussion within the department and their awareness of how the gradual addition of material to curricula has been the chief cause of the problem. This is likely to curb the rate at which curricula are extended and perhaps will stop the practice altogether, administrators may also agree that practical solutions must be considered in order to completely resolve the issue.

            In the long run, this research may lead to a practical solution being implemented at UF to solve the problem of overstuffed curricula. This happening is highly likely to lead to student, instructor and professor satisfaction which will raise the public image of the university in several ways. Firstly, if students can enjoy their classes, they are more likely to actively participate and learn the set material. This will lead to UF graduates being more knowledgeable and proficient in their field and therefore more sought after by employers. Secondly, while teaching classes are only one part of the job of professors and instructors, improving this area will result in increased satisfaction with their position holistically. As UF’s image improves, it will attract more prospective students and professors alike, thereby potentially increasing its annual revenue.

            As of right now, the main discussion of this problem is between students who have very little to no power to change the system by which the material they are taught is assigned. While this continues, little to nothing will be done to solve the problem and so, one of the main supportive features of conducting research into this issue is that information will be gathered by professional researchers and also that professionals (the professors) will be consulted and will contribute to the information. As such, the gravity of the problem will be confirmed to be more than simply the idle complaints of students but rather an issue that merits the attention of those who have caused it. Additionally, the extent of the discussed problem has yet to be ascertained so that any practical solution introduced at this juncture could not be based on facts but rather on speculation. As a result, practical solutions might work for a limited time, only to break down as the university evolves; or they might cause unforeseen damage to other areas of the structure of classes and teaching methods at UF. So long as adequate information is collected before practical solutions are discussed, the said practical solutions have a far greater chance of succeeding without causing collateral damage.

This proposal will be made publicly available by being posted online for anyone who wishes to view it. If it is enacted, due to the interviews that must be conducted, students and professors connected to the problem are fairly certain to hear of it. If this problem persists unchecked, administrators are likely to continue adding material to classes without truly realising the detrimental impact these overloaded classes have on students. Student and professor dissatisfaction will grow and word about this situation will spread, potentially affecting prospective students’ plans to apply to or attend UF.