Because Hunter college is a commuter school, relations with professors are usually minimal. Students rarely befriend their professors, and once the class is done, rarely even see their professors in the sea of faces traversing Hunter's hallways. this usually occurs within the first two years at Hunter, when the student may not have a particular major and attends opposing classes which have little to do with the other, such as Math and English; and the classes are held in large auditoriums. However, once the student has chosen a major, and has taken the initial introductory courses, classes tend to slimmer down. And the professors are more intimate with their students, more willing to provide individual attention and do not fumble with your names!
When classes do slimmer down to approximately 25-30 students, participation becomes crucial. This depends on the major, of course. And I can only speak as an English major. English majors are encouraged to speak out regularly and state their observations and or opinions about the text(s) they are reading. However, there are always a few students, like myself, who sit in the back, are more timid or shy, and cannot formulate thoughts quickly in a classroom setting. This aggravates most professors, so raising a hand from time to time is a must, no matter how shy you are. Fortunately, when it comes to English lit., anything mentioned is relevant to the text, and rarely are observations deemed incorrect. Also, fortunately, many professors are starting to utilize blackboard to create discussion groups, providing students, like myself, to express our ideas about the reading material in the comfort of our home. One of my favorite and unique classes, African American Narratives (or ENGL321), employed this method, and the diversity within the class evoked many important issues regarding race and ethnicity involved in the text, which many might have been uncomfortable to voice in class. Other classes, such as Eng220, an introductory course required for the deceleration of the English major, was a large class and did not utilize blackboard discussion groups. This resulted in more introversion within the class, and the professor's inability to recall many students by name. The class ended on a bland note, and most of what was discussed remains predominately forgotten.
When it comes to the English department, or many departments in Hunter, one of the most irritating aspects is the need to take redundant pre-requisits, or minors that have nothing to do with your desired major. This happens when students transfer from other colleges or systems (SUNY) and discover that many past credits have become obsolete. Another problem is the requirement to declare a major after a certain period (about half a year). Students who do not yet know their intended major are forced to beg various departments to let them assume that major, until they have chosen concretely. The english department is know to be the most fickle; immediately turning anyone away upon discovering the real reason for requesting the major. Other departments, such as anthropology (my former "major") are more content to oblige and aid the student in such tribulations. At my request, I was even told by a representative: "ha! we're the NICE department," as she printed her signature on my major request documents. Such requirements create tensions among the students toward certain departments. And I feel this is an issue that needs to be addressed.
When it comes to academics at Hunter students (at least the ones I have talked to) are more geared toward getting a job than learning. Though I do not particularly think this attitude is confined only to Hunter, but the American society as a whole. It is mostly from students studying from abroad that I sense a true passion for the subjects they are learning, and making a real effort to connect to their fellow students. Studying habits often depend on how much the student has on his/her plate in his general life. Most students who work seem to contribute more attention to their work than their studies, I find. Others,like myself, who are lucky enough not to need to have time consuming jobs are able to contribute more ours to study and school related work.However, there is a healthy competition among students, though how much is geared from within an individual aspiration or is the product of society's growing demands to succeed is not known.