What was the old slogan for the US Marines?

When I first started this MA course, there were about 18 students in my group. By the winter break we were down to 15. By the first week of February, usual classroom attendance for the morning session is hovering around 10 or 11. But the biggest loss is in the afternoon. Even allowing that the three part-time students aren't going, the fact that we're down to five people is a little worrisome. So far only two people have claimed a "death in the family" excuse for an absence. Most of the others have just said "screw it" and stopped going. 1

So far the lady running the class has kept showing up, but last week she actually called one of the five of us out into the hall for a brief scolding. I don't know if we can sustain another 20% drop in attendance and still be able to have meaningful discussions.

Oh, wait. We don't really have meaningful discussions in that class. Maybe that whole allusion to "the few, the proud" doesn't really work here.

1 Well, what they actually said was "sod it", but I didn't know if that would translate so well for those of you who don't speak Englandish.