Picture this:

A campus without classrooms. Only computer labs fill buildings — one computer for every student.

And every day, the faceless minds march to their machines.

I will now learn. Must log in. Here is my assignment.

Well, maybe that’s a little severe, but the introduction of a new online course in biology is one more step toward the depersonalization of our university educational system.

Don’t get us wrong — technology is a good thing.

It gives us e-mail and Internet access. It helps us publish the Daily. It’s essential to day-to-day life.

And the new Project Bio (and its descendants) might even help some students avoid the professor whose lecture is only slightly more exciting than cold oatmeal.

But if compensating for boring teachers is the only reason for new and expensive technology, isn’t that like the tail wagging the dog?

There is a serious problem with professor-student relationships at Iowa State when eliminating the teacher actually makes the class better.

Here’s a comparison: How many of us remember the kind face and helpful attitude of our elementary school teachers?

Now, ask the same question of your college professors. See?

So, don’t just sit in Psych 101 and read the newspaper or — gasp! — sleep.

Introduce yourself to the professor. Ask questions. Get involved in what you’re learning about.

Because if you don’t, your tuition money pays for nothing more than an uncomfortable seat, some illegible notes and a diploma with no real foundation.

And that is the most blatant waste of all.