MacElroy, William  

I like Bill, he is really passionate about LA's and what they can do for the future. He is a good teacher for the intro to LA class because he is motivating to the students about what they can do in the field. I am not sure if he is a total ecofreak or what because he said he loves new tech gadgets but a lot of his lectures were about preserving natural resources. He has a good heart and is a nice guy. The nature of the class was not very rigorous but there were five writing assignments, including one team research project - nothing too major. It does give you perspective on what LA's really do and where your niche in the field might be.

He is a really nice guy, but I am still trying to figure out what the class was about and what we learned. With the new curriculum almost all of us that had to take him last quarter are stuck with him again and now his political views distract the lecture. You know some Anti-American message is going to come out of his mouth when he says "now I'm not trying to bash America, but..." If this were a GE class I wouldn't mind setting back listening doing busy work, but because this is my major I feel like I should have taken something from his course. He gives A LOT of busy work, but you have no idea what your grade is until the final grades come out.

Bill has his set of rules and formats for turning in notes and the weekly homework (which are 1 or 2 questions you answer in short answer form). If your internet connection doesnt work, you'll have to come on campus and use the library or others to send in a digital copy of your homework to the college's data server. Also, you need to read lots about LA philosophy from weekly readings, and get quiz on every other thrusday (multiple choice & online). THe grade is effort with your weekly drawings and the correct format

Bill is such a passionate LA. His lectures are inspiring and I always learn something new. I like going to this class because he is such a good lecturer. My notebook is over half way full because I take so many notes in lecture. He's very intellegent, passionate, caring, and patient. If someone asks a question in class, he takes time to clarify. I definately reccomend his class.

Bill is a great teacher who makes me want to come to lecture. His updated lecture doesnt include weekely drawings or weekly questions and answers. Instead, he bases the grade on a midterm, takehome final, and two pop quizzes (which are hinted before they come). The class is much more about understanding key concepts rather than memorizing a bunch of useless facts. Once you understand these concepts that he emphasizes, its much easier to sift through all of the supporting ideas and projects that exemplify them. Great teacher, would recommend.

MacElroy is a very interesting person, in a good way. He definitely thinks outside the box and beyond the universe. So in his lectures its not surprising if sometimes you dont get him, i didnt most of the time. But the purpose is to help you think in a different way coming in the LA major. Yes, i learned that LA is not just designing your parents backyard. Not a hard class but there prob is no option whether or not you want him when you take LA 101 bc hes always the one teaching it. Oh and if you think like him he WILL like you and know you in class! There is a midterm and a take home final, both which are easy. Then there are 2 pop quizes. Make sure you go to recitation too everyday bc it counts as 15% of your grade and that does make the difference between border lines.

MacElroy is actually a very interesting professor. He has a good knowledge of Landscape Architecture and he is a good choice of professors for the 101 level class. He explains things simply and clearly, although some ideas are abstract. He puts all of his powerpoint lectures up on blackboard and assigns 2 pop quizzes for the quarter. Quizzes are 5% of your grade each. You probably won't have a choice of teachers for LA 101 but he isn't too bad.

In all fairness, Bill is a good guy who means well. He needs to take an education class or two. The class was titled "Landscape Interpretation" and was utterly disappointing. Beginning in week three the entire time was spent listening to student group presentations. There was no final or midterm but weekly assignments were to be turned in, one page of notes from the lengthy and irrelevant readings, and another page answering a question he posed the class. They were to be done in 11pt Times font, paperclipped together in a clear sheet protector. An image, not from the internet but from a book, was to be included relevant to the topics. At the end of the quarter the work was also to be submitted on a CD with a Jpeg and Tiff file of all images also included, with proper APA citation of course. He graded the notes we took in class not only to see if we were attending, but for quality. My lengthy class notes received B- marks: I was offended by this because it is none of his buisness how I take notes. I didn't even turn in 75% of the assignments and I got a cumulative A on the weekly homeworks- showing he didn't even look at them or keep track (lucky for me this arbitrary grading worked in my favor). By the end of the class everyone was fed up and vowed to never take a class from Bill again, given a choice. Following the team presentations he would critique the group's presentation for content and for personal presentation style. After one presentation, he told a shy student to "take a page from his groupmates" and be more outgoing. This is a Freshman class, speech is not a prerequisite, it was innapropriate for him to critique the students in this manner in front of the class.

After experiencing Bill's teaching style for two quarters, i have to say that I am throughly frustrated with the man. He has good intensions, but most of his critique entails him sitting at your work station, talking outloud to himself, trying to figure out what will work best for your project. Instead of leading the student in the proper direction, we are often confused and see little merit in requesting further critiques. After having discussions with most of my fellow classmates, we feel that bill has good intensions towards us, and will give you a break if you really need it. However, he ofter comes off as trying to be "paternal" in his moral and creative support, which i find slightly unappealing. I personally feel that his "moods" influence his grading. In addition, i am VERY dissatisfied about his comments on my design projects, as I did not receive ANY of my projects back untill THE FINAL WEEK OF SCHOOL. beware. . .

During this entire quarter all I could think about was how this professor reminded me of that small little dog that runs through the back of scene 23 in The Incredibles by Pixar. Seriously, if you look it up you will only be able to see it...

For a student working on a senior project that is outside of Bill's comfort zone, you may find yourself being coerced into changing the direction or content of your work. This is not a positive thing. What defines Bill's comfort zone? Well, lets think back to the single project he has shown students (to my memory): that damn plaza with the fountain in the center, a grading plan, and a details sheet. If this is your cup of tea, how you want to spend an entire year, by all means sign up for Bill's class. But don't expect this professor, who hands out rendering technique packets winter quarter of your 5TH YEAR, to give you ANY mental stimulation. On a more personal note, I found it infuriating that over the course of two quarters, I received excuses over and over from Bill as to why he had not reviewed and commented on my work. I don't get cut slack OVER AND OVER if I miss my deadlines, and if I do miss one I sure as hell don't make it habitual. Just horrid... Because our senior projects are similar to a mini-thesis, the students deserve professors who can handle the rigor of said project. Bill is not one of them. For students who need their hand to be held, some parental coddling, or a motivational talk that means well but doesn't motivate, please look no further.