A Hanyangian was recently shocked to witness a scene of several students listening to a lecture while standing at the back of the classroom. “At first, I thought that they were standing up to keep themselves awake during class. But it turned out that they had no choice due to the lack of seats.” This pathetic situation occurred this month in the course “History of Ethical Thought”, one of major courses in the Department of Policy Science at Hanyang University(HYU).

  In response to such a space shortage, the Student Union of the College of Policy Science conducted the “Bomnadeuri” campaign and a picketing event on March 21 in order to bring public attention to this inconvenience in the classrooms. In addition to this problem, is the issue of integration of at the College of Policy Science with the Department of Administration, which began this year. The Student Union appealed for a solution to the space shortage, pointing out that specific completion plans for a new space where HYU is scheduled to provide more lecture rooms for Hanyangians in the College of Policy Science, have not yet been introduced to Hanyangians. 

  Since 2009, the College of Policy Science has been among the chosen few to be a “Hanyang Diamond Seven Department”, a project designed to foster talented Hanyangians by providing scholarships and/or other benefits. However, it seems ironic that a number of these selected, talented Hanyangians cannot even enjoy the basic convenience of having a seat in their own classrooms. 

 

Since Hanyangians in the College of Policy Science do not yet have their own building, they have always had no choice but to move around the campus to attend their classes being held in various buildings. Policy Science courses are typically offered in the lecture rooms of other department buildings which must be reserved beforehand. Meanwhile, these students have to dash around the campus to take classes in places like Haengwon Park, the Building of Law III, and/or the College of Social Science building, as well as in rooms reserved in Hanyang Women’s University. This shortage of space was worsened by the integration of the Department of Administration, which had a larger number of students. Now many are unable to comfortably settle in a building of their own.  

  Since 2011, HYU has constructing a new building that will house more lecture rooms for Hanyang Cyber University and the College of Policy Science, as well as offices for the Graduate School of Technology & Innovation Management. Beginning next semester, HYU is planning to provide Hanyangians in the College of Policy Science with the spaces for lectures and club activities, on the first basement level, the first floor, the fourth floor, and the fifth floor of that new building. 

 

Responding to the space shortage problem, Lee Sung-bum, the Manager of the College of Policy Science Administration Team at HYU claims that the University has already been trying to prepare lecture rooms. “Even though lecture rooms where Hanyangians take classes are located separately, the classes themselves provide enough space for all students. HYU has made efforts to offer rational solutions to satisfy Hanyangians’ demands,” Lee said.

  On the number of students having to resort to standing at the back of the class in courses like “History of Ethical Thought”, Lee explained that it was not because of space shortage problems. “The number of students for the class was limited but since many Hanyangians asked us to increase the number of attendees, we accepted their request,” Lee said, pointing out the University’s consideration for Hanyangians requests. 

  In addition, Proferssor Oh Seong-soo of the Department of Administration at HYU, who is involved in the construction of the new building, commented that the new facilities could be the key solution for meeting Hanyangians’ requests. “After the building is completed, Hanyangians in the College of Policy Science will be able to secure a number of spaces. During the day when Hanyang Cyber University or the Graduate School of Technology & Innovation Management do not have classes, Hanyangians in the College of Policy Sciences will be able to use the entire building,” he said. 

 

Despite HYU’s efforts to tackle the lack of facilities, Hanyangians in the College of Policy Science are still expressing their strong dissatisfactions over the space problem, pointing out that HYU has  not yet shown specific plans on how it will effectively solving these problems. A Hanyangian who wished to remain anonymous said, “I heard that a lease contract on lecture rooms in Haengwon Park will expire soon. Since HYU did not take any specific action on the space problem, Hanyangians who have gone around the campus to take classes are now concerned about more inconveniences.” 

  Regarding the construction of the new building, which was designed to be a solution by HYU, Hanyangians pointed out that a definite plan has not yet been released publically. “All I know is that Hanyangians in the College of Policy Science are supposed to be able to use the space in the new building. But a number of Hanyangians including me do not know the exact details of this move, like when we can actually start taking classes there. Knowing nothing about the plan, I’m wondering if it will really work,” said Lee Ju-lee, a Junior in the Department of Policy Science.

  Hanyangians in the Department of Administration, who are accustomed to using spaces in the College of Social Science, also expressed their concerns over the unspecified plan for solving the space shortage problems. “I did not even know about the plan to have more space for us for our classes after the construction of the new building is completed. HYU should officially map out specific plans to deal with the problem,” said Lee Hee-jun, a Freshman in the Department of Administration.

 

Since 2009 when the College of Policy Science was established as one of the Hanyang Diamond Seven Departments, Hanyangians have raised their voices in order to reach solutions. However, most Hanyangians do not know about HYU’s specific plans to resolve the space shortage problems. Thus it is perplexing to many that so many Hanyangians do not know about HYU’s solution, even though the University claims that detailed plans were already prepared some time ago. HYU really needs to officially inform students about the specific plans to deal with the problem, while calming the nerves of many Hanyangians on campus. Moreover, to further resolve the problem, it is necessary for both HYU and Hanyangians to communicate more effectively and officially.