By Nicole Matsen
More BYU students living in Provo are signing up for night classes at the Salt Lake Extension Center for scheduling purposes, smaller classes, specific teachers and, in some cases, less work.
'The primary purpose of the Salt Lake Center is to serve those students residing in the Salt Lake City area, but we invite and welcome Provo students who find that the Center''s schedule works for them,' said Lee Glines, the Center Director in Salt Lake.
Though they have an invitation, why exactly would students living in Provo spend an hour extra each way driving to Salt Lake for classes when the same classes are offered in Provo merely ten minutes away?
'It is not as bad as you think,' said Wendy Bryan, 21, a senior from Lake Forest, Ill., majoring in English. 'I once took two classes up there back to back, so I was in class for five hours straight, but at the same time I got both classes out of the way in one night.'
Most students use Extension classes for attaining an ideal schedule. Bryan said her classes at the Extension meant she only had classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays last Winter Semester.
'This semester I am taking a class at the extension because I spend half the amount of time in class and I wanted a particular professor who only teaches at the Extension. He has a good reputation and is really knowledgeable in the field,' said Brandon Labrum, 23, a senior business major from Libertyville, Ill. 'Plus once you get to upper division courses not as many sections are offered and taking Extension classes frees up time to help fit in all the classes you need.'
Even though some teachers from Provo come to teach at the Extension, the Salt Lake Center does have its own staff of teachers, a bookstore and a testing center. It is almost like a mini BYU Provo transplanted off Highland Drive in Salt Lake.
A 2001 survey said 30 percent of students attend the Salt Lake Extension Center classes because of smaller class size.
A New Testament class offered on the Provo campus holds up to 80 students per class, yet for the same class at the Extension Center, the maximum is 20 students.
'My classes are so much smaller than in Provo. I can always ask the teacher questions and get a direct answer,' Bryan said. 'I feel like it is a more beneficial learning environment.'
Though class content is similar, there is a lot of controversy over the Extension being easier and less demanding than its counter part in Provo. So for some students it is worth making the trip for an easier and better grade.
'I am not going to lie to you,' said Labrum, 'a lot of the classes are easier than in Provo but that is not always the case, I''ve had classes that were just as difficult as in Provo.'
Lee Glines, the Center Director, said that the Salt Lake Extension upholds its mission statement in its strive for outstanding academia.
'All those who teach at the Salt Lake Center, all courses and materials are approved by the Academic Department in Provo,' said Glines. 'The goal of the Salt Lake Center is for students to have an academic experience comparable to BYU Provo.'