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Hidden amongst Grand View University’s 40 available undergrad majors are departments containing notably few full-time faculty. Possessing in some cases as few as a single fulltime faculty member, these departments can be described as small but mighty. Are these fields ‘at risk’? Does a small number of full-time faculty represent danger for that area of study? How are situations of unexpected long-term faculty absence handled? Is there anything that can be done?

The number of both faculty and students at GV has changed in recent years.

“I’ve seen a gradual increase in the number of fulltime day students and a large decrease in the number of part time students,” said Dr. Bryan McQuide, current chair of Grand View University Political Science Department. “It’s common during recessions for working class adults to return to school to retool themselves, but with the economy doing well, we’re now seeing a drop in the number of part time enrollment.”

Demographics and cultural perception have had a big influence in shaping many of the concerns presently seen in the realm of higher education.

From 1988 to 2002 fewer births in Iowa resulted in a smaller graduating class. With many colleges competing against each other amidst a smaller class has resulted in lower enrollment.

McQuide said that a trend has surfaced where a 4-year degree is perceived as not being worth the time and money, and it is instead encouraged to get a trade degree.

“The reality is that you need a 4-year degree,” McQuide said. “The 21^st century job market requires skills in critical thinking, information literacy and problem-solving skills.”

In the field of education there is a direct correlation between enrollment and budget. If enrollment is low, then both departmental and university budgets will parallel the trend. The budgets are amongst the first things consulted when considering the possibility of hiring, or reclassifying, any level of employment.

“It’s not uncommon for other instructors in the department to assist in covering classes if another faculty isn’t able,” McQuide said. “Things like this have happened before and have been handled very well.”

Grand View, just like many other private universities, is facing building challenges and budget challenges that aren’t usually seen.

“In normal times, we might decide to hire another faculty fulltime, but these aren’t normal times in higher education,” McQuide said. “Our administration has been very rightfully conservative with the budget to make sure we have a long-term sustainability of funds and we are able to reserve department hires so they can grow.”

Although difficulties of long-term faculty absence are addressed with some ease in the political science department, theater presents a much different reality.

In the Grand View University Theater Department, Kristin Larson is almost a one-woman show. Larson serves as both the department chair and sole full-time faculty.

Since Larson is the only faculty at Grand View qualified to teach in her field, it is unknown how the university would respond if she had a long-term absence.

“If something happened to me, I don’t know who they would find to replace me on short notice,” Larson said.

Larson said that having more faculty can work to better the development of students through providing a wider array of views and understandings in a field.

“Most schools the size of Grand View will have at least two, sometimes three faculty, one that focuses on performance and directing, one that focuses on design, and often a dedicated technical director,” Larson said.

At Grand View University, the theater department has one fulltime faculty, Larson, and one staff, Alex Snodgrass.

Snodgrass’ position, the technical director, was re-defined from faculty to staff four years ago.

With only two individuals employed in the theater department, the workload placed on each has presented some hindrances in pursuing possible opportunities.

Larson has been working to develop a small professional Theater troupe at Grand View called Goldfinch.

Goldfinch would give students of all majors opportunities not yet available at Grand View.

“It would allow students to interact with professional actors and technical directors,” Larson said. “Students interested in different areas of design would be able to intern and build connections.”

“No Coast” and “Macbeth” are two recent Goldfinch productions.

“These have brought thousands of people in from the community that otherwise would likely have never set foot on Grand View campus,” Larson said.

These productions have done well to advertise what the department has to offer, but because of Larson’s and snodgrass’ workload, they can’t be held regularly.

Twenty students are involved in theater department’s current production “Miss Nelson is Missing.” Of those involved, only seven are theater majors or minors.

For Larson, this shows much about students desire for theater at Grand View.

In situations such as Larson’s, growth in the number of faculty will only occur along with larger enrollment. But the smaller number of faculty causes difficulty in recruitment.

Grand View University band director and full-time music department faculty member, Dr. Mark Doerfel, has experienced similar struggles as Larson in growing department enrollment.

The music department currently has four full-time music majors.

According to Doerffel, the number of students participating in non-major restricted activities such as choir, band and lessons is notably larger Compared to students enrolled as music majors.

Doerffel has taken a similar route to Larson in working to build the semi-new music education major.

“I try to get to at least a school a week to try and develop relationships with music directors and their students to basically let them know that Grand View is an option to them,” Doerffel said.

Doerffel said that since the music department has only two full-time music faculty, it can be hard to accomplish everything.

“It’s difficult to ask part-time faculty to take on more of the workload in the department as they might not have the options of further investment,” Doerffel said. “Many of our part-time faculty and staff have other jobs in the community, and some work at other institutions.”

Doerffel said that he has seen an increase in student participation in the music department during his time at Grand View.

“The strength of our departments comes from the quality that is brought from our students,” Doerffel said.

He said he believes the professors’ interaction with students also works to develop this quality.

“Dr. Duffy and I both bring a passion for our fields and work diligently with our student musicians, regardless of their majors, to produce a quality product,” Doerffel said. “And in turn, by producing quality work, then hopefully we’ll see an increase in our majors.”

The direct correlation in budget and enrollment has created a spiraling ‘catch-22’ of departmental and university growth. With current economic and cultural influences, the futures and qualities of these fields is at best yet uncertain.