LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To the editor: UT provides students with quality education

University of Toledo Faculty Senate president Amy Thompson says a recent Blade editorial “doesn’t describe the UT” she has come to know.

While reading the description of the University of Toledo in the Oct. 31 editorial, “UT needs a total culture change,” I couldn’t help but think: “This doesn’t describe the UT that I have come to know.”

As a former UT student and current faculty member, I came to the university after being at several other institutions of higher learning. I have never been associated with a faculty or administration that is as devoted to providing quality instruction and student success. This is especially impressive given the limited financial support awarded by the General Assembly.

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Contrary to your editorial, I doubt you would find many students who feel “cheated out of a quality education.” Our faculty is outstanding, and our programs are an excellent value given our affordable tuition rates.

I am often contacted by former students thanking our faculty for a great education that has made them locally and nationally competitive for jobs. For example, the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services in 2017 found that 76 percent of UT’s baccalaureate graduates are employed in Ohio one year after graduation.

The loss of accreditation for the Physician Assistant program is an anomaly. To project this one unfortunate situation as emblematic of the rest of UT’s programs is not only inaccurate, it’s unfair and can adversely impact our students in finding jobs and in the recruitment of highly sought after faculty.

The real story are the programs that UT has that are not only in good standing with their accrediting agencies, but have been so since their inception. This is a result of the expertise and dedication of faculty and administrators who understand the importance of providing an excellent learning environment for our students.

As the president of the Faculty Senate, I can tell you that President Sharon Gaber and her senior leadership team are taking the Physician Assistant program’s situation very seriously. Comprehensive actions are being taken to correct the problems outlined by the program’s accrediting agency and to ensure that its students are given every available opportunity to receive an education that will help them succeed beyond the classroom.

I agree with the editorial that UT has a beautiful campus, but I would add that the physical surroundings are secondary to the real purpose of the institution — to provide an excellent education for our students.

AMY THOMPSON
UT Faculty Senate president