Much of Amherst's appeal lies in its size, which enables the intimate quality of its education: a graduate-caliber experience at the undergraduate level. The maintenance of a rich and diverse faculty, both in breadth and depth, is a vital priority for the College, or so it should be. While the actual number of faculty members is small and the range of classes offered will always be limited in comparison to bigger colleges or universities, we still expect professors to be knowledgeable and representative of their respective departments.

One question crops up among students far too often this semester: why there are so many classes marked "Omitted in 2003-04" in our green course books? Some departments, specifically English, economics and psychology, are noticeably understaffed-a serious issue when one considers that these are the three most popular majors in campus. The English department currently carries only six full-time faculty members, not enough to teach the 98 English majors (as of August) that populate Amherst's hills.

The psychology and physics departments employ the same number of professors (seven full-time, with two currently on leave from both departments). Think about how many physics majors you know. Then think about the number of psychology majors. You do the math. We don't mean to pick on the physics majors, but clearly the psychology department is in need of a few professors.

We recognize that the Residential Master Plan and renovation of the College's infrastructure are the priorities of the moment, but we ask that the need to expand the faculty be addressed next. Emphasis should be on hiring to fill full-time positions. Additionally, the College should ensure that the most essential areas are covered within departments.

As President Tony Marx said at the first faculty meeting on Sept. 1, "The Faculty are the heart of the College." We would like to see the heart's pulse remain steady and hear it amplified. More faculty will help to keep Amherst's classes small and intimate, a trademark of the liberal arts college.

In the meantime, we would like to remind students that no matter how many times we tell ourselves we inhabit a bubble, there are four colleges close by with rich course offerings that can and should be explored.