The University of Florida

Date: Dec 31 1969
Major: Unknown (This Major's Salary over time)
I have attended classes at a branch of UF in Shalimar, FL known as the Graduate Engineering Research Center (GERC). While I am aware of the large possibility of differences between UF main campus and the GERC, I would like to contribute my experience at this branch for anyone like me who is limited by geography and availability of institutions of higher education who may find themselves taking classes at the GERC.

First of all, the facility is top-notch on the exterior. The interior and classrooms are also excellent, minus the hospital-aesthetic common to many universities. On a minor note, there is a lack of water fountains in the building other than in a few, faculty-favoring locations.

Second, the administrative personnel should be discussed. Despite the fact that the GERC has relatively limited enrollment and the facility is open during regular business hours, the front office staff are very difficult to contact in person or via phone. When they are available by either of these methods and their help is requested for even the most perfunctory actions (e.g. course registration, contacting other faculty, etc.), the response is frequently temperamental.

Third, the teaching faculty creates concerns. Several teachers are hired to teach as an additional job. Some of the teachers are employees who work at the local military bases who are often late or absent from teaching due to their primary work schedules. This creates a problem for many of the students who are also employed at the local military bases and taking classes part-time to fill job requirements. This branch also offers no outlet of feedback to students in order to improve facilities/faculty/courses in general. There are no end-of-course surveys or anonymous channels through which problems can be addressed. The only method for feedback is direct, personal criticism or contacting the front office”both of which leave doubts as to the absence of retribution for even constructive suggestions.

Overall, the GERC is one extension of the UF main campus creates a very pretentious atmosphere that seems to care very little about its students. Its existence fulfills the basic requisite for having another major university name in the far Florida panhandle offering advanced technical degrees. It may be no surprise if these reasons may be direct factors to the low enrollment at the branch.