After a massive letter-writing effort last spring by University students and alumni addressed to top University officials, one of the College's most popular lecturers will continue teaching through 2003.
Government and Foreign Affairs Prof. James R. Sofka will remain in his dual role as a foreign affairs teaching fellow and resident scholar at the Center for Governmental Studies despite speculation that this fall would be his last semester at the University.
Though Sofka will continue to teach and serve as faculty adviser to the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, he no longer serves as the executive director for the Government and Foreign Affairs Honors Program or as the department's associate undergraduate program director.
Sofka's department office also has been relocated to the third floor of Cabell Hall near the French department.
"I have no idea what the resolution of my situation will be at U.Va.," Sofka said. "I understand that my current contract is going to be honored through 2003, when it expires. I would be open to an offer from the University, but it must stipulate that I will be teaching . . . and it must carry appropriate security, salary and position safeguards. I'm keeping all options open."
College Dean Edward L. Ayers declined to comment on Sofka's case specifically, because it is a private personnel matter.
"I am very much aware of the situation and am working on it," Ayers said. "I'm hopeful we'll have a good outcome."
In the meantime, Sofka plans to continue teaching and working at the center until his contract expires. He also has started looking to other positions in top colleges and universities.
"If I remain at the University of Virginia, I want to remain based on the record of my work, not in response to external offers," he added.
Sofka's near departure came as a surprise to many of his students because he had consistently received the highest student evaluation scores in his department (he averaged 4.931 out of 5 last spring) and because government classes recently have swelled beyond capacity while the number of teachers in the department has remained relatively constant.
With more than 500 students, government and foreign affairs is the University's most popular major.
However, like other departments, instructors are in short supply, resulting in overloaded classrooms and discussion sections in addition to student complaints that they can't get required courses.
"The department has clearly suffered from being understaffed and we have urged past and present deans to remedy the situation," Department Chairman Robert Fatton Jr. said. "As chair of the department I will be persistent in asking for additional lines and I know that my colleagues support fully and enthusiastically the effort"
Read More
U.Va. Alumni Association submits plans for new Alumni Hall building
By Caroline Hagood | YesterdayWest said that despite the proposal moving through City Council’s review process, the project is still years away from becoming a reality.
Graduating student leaders reflect on how they impacted the University community
By Jackie Bond and Brandon Kile | 2 days agoAccording to Lilian Rojas, Board of Visitors student representative and fourth-year Batten student, the Class of 2024 is defined by its resilience.
D.C. baseball legend Ryan Zimmerman to deliver keynote Valedictory address
By Xander Tilock | 3 days agoFamously nicknamed “Mr. National” for his many contributions to the Washington, D.C. franchise, Zimmerman is considered one of the most successful alumni in Virginia baseball history.
