Exercise 15.5: If I Ran the Zoo

"If I Ran a Zoo," written by John Leo, is a poem that proposes some problems and changes that need to be made on college campuses including: cutting down the number of undergraduate professors that are not teaching students adequate knowledge that can be applicable in later studies, raising the pay for teacher assistants but also questioning whether teacher assistants are even wanted on campuses, challenging the efforts made in remedial courses, and eliminating unnecessary courses to reduce the costs of tuition. Although the current tuition costs are raising each year due to the state budget cuts, some of Leo's proposals may not be a kind solution that has the best overall benefits for students.

Tuition costs are staggering, however, the number of students remains the same and cutting down the employment of undergraduate professors does no justice when reducing the staff only creates overcrowded lecture halls. In addition, many question the presence of teacher assistants because of the minimum wage they receive for their workload and because of their age that is in close range to the students. Despite Leo's proposal, teacher assistant positions have the intention of giving experience to students who aspire to become a teacher or professor one day and are needed in courses that have larger enrollments. Nevertheless, Leo explains that courses that end in "studies" are unnecessary along with courses with titles such as "Star Trek Theology" and "Queer Musicology." Indeed, some of these courses are unnecessary but many courses that end in "studies" enlightens many students on important social issues. For instance, women's studies courses educate students on the inequalities against women, minorities, and homosexuals that still exists regardless of favoring court cases and legal rights. In all, if Leo were to run "the zoo," his changes would not be as beneficial as he had planned.