> I wonder if perhaps the professor is trying to scare people into dropping the class?
This seems likely.
It also appears that the professor is making somewhat of a political statement about the University, the (lack of) teaching assistants, and the shortage of funds available to him. I attended a University of California school several years ago, and there were a plethora of similar issues regarding class sizes, funding, etc.
It's sad, because actions like canceling four of seven planned sections¹ only hurt the students' education.
1: This originally stated that lectures were canceled, but I was mistaken. Thanks to codergirl for correcting me.
This seems likely.
It also appears that the professor is making somewhat of a political statement about the University, the (lack of) teaching assistants, and the shortage of funds available to him. I attended a University of California school several years ago, and there were a plethora of similar issues regarding class sizes, funding, etc.
It's sad, because actions like canceling four of seven planned sections¹ only hurt the students' education.
1: This originally stated that lectures were canceled, but I was mistaken. Thanks to codergirl for correcting me.