Students who go to Penn State have more classmates than their counterparts at other universities, according to a recent study.

The University's 1987-88 state appropriations request estimates that there is one faculty member for approximately every 18 students enrolled at all University campuses throughout the Commonwealth.

This ratio has increased minimally over the past five years, going from 17.9-to-1 in the fall of 1983 to 18.6-to-1 in the fall of 1987.

The estimated national faculty-student ratio was one faculty member for every 16 students in 1986, as calculated by Tom Snyder, managing statistician for the National Center for Educational Statistics. This ratio includes only full-time students and faculty for schools across the country.

Vicki Fong, a University spokeswoman, said the University ratio also only encompasses full-time students. While Fong was not certain whether graduate assistants were included in these figures, the estimate does not include research associates or undergraduate teaching assistants, she said.

Compared to other universities that enroll about the same number of students, the University has fewer faculty members per student. The University of Pittsburgh, for example, had one faculty member for every nine students during the 1987-88 academic year.

Vice-President and Vice-Provost Kenneth P. Mortimer said the administration is concerned about the size of some classes.

He said the administration does remind the state that the University is underfunded and understaffed, and asks the legislature for more appropriations when they set a budget.

The University received 22 percent of this year's $1 billion operating budget from the state. Penn State receives the least funding per student of any state-related or state-owned institution in Pennsylvania.

Although the administration is concerned about class sizes, Mortimer said this ratio is not a useful figure when determining if a faculty shortage problem exists.

"The faculty-student ratio is a complex figure. It masks the variablity of class size," he said.

Class sizes at the University vary greatly. Three-hundred sixty students are enrolled in Theatre 100, for example, but only 45 students are enrolled in Theatre 405. This variability mostly distingiusehes upper- level courses (taken by juniors and seniors for their major) from lower- level courses (taken by freshmen and sophomores to fulfill general education requirements).

Another example of the size differences in classes is shown between Political Science 1, which averages 385 students enrolled in one class and Political Science 14, which averages 210 stduents in one class. French 1, however, averages 15 to 20 people per class, said representaives from each of those respective departments.

Cecil Trueblood, head of the Division of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education, said he is concerned about not having enough staff for Fall 1989-90.

"If the governor doesn't give us more money, (the College of Education) is going to be in tough shape," he said. "The continued underfunding of Penn State is not good for encouraging education students. Fewer faculty means fewer sections, so the students can't get the classes they need and their education process is prolonged."

Although more professors are needed, Ranga Rasturi, associate professor of electrical engineering, said the University should not take money away from other investments, such as renovations to classrooms and laboratories.

"A balance must be made between the two. The University must set (its) priorities," he said.

But the concern about faculty goes beyond sheer numbers. Associate Professor of History Arthur Goldschmidt said although increases in faculty are needed, the University must be sure to hire well-qualified professors.

Michael R. Coffey (junior-secondary education) said he too is concerned about the quality of teaching at the University.

"Although the teaching assistants know the subject they are teaching well, their ability to convey the information to others is not adequate," Coffey said. "I think, even though they may not be studying to be teachers, they should take a teaching course."

Goldschmidt said another reason for having more faculty and smaller class sizes is to improve the University's learning envirnment.

"In a large lecture, a professor can provide more names and facts, but in a smaller class the students and teacher can share their opinions and experiences," Goldschmidt said.

The larger the class size, Goldschmidt said, the more intimidated students are from participating.