Current class schedule underutilizes facilities

Administrators call for a wider array of class times at Senate meeting

The university wants to offer a broader array of time slots for classes, Provost Robert Frank told the Faculty Senate at its meeting yesterday.

Frank said between 30 and 40 percent of all scheduled classes fall between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, citing a need to “better use our physical spaces” and accommodate students.

Under the forthcoming Responsibility Center Management budget, Frank said a broader range of class times will be enforced.

Addressing concerns from faculty, Pete Goldsmith, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs, said preferences for days and times of teaching should still be built into the ERP and Banner software, the university’s new operating system.

President Lester Lefton said students remain the key to the scheduling issue because many run into problems with classes only being offered at the same time.

“We’re here to serve our students, not our own personal needs,” he said. Although Frank said there is not a “one size fits all” solution to scheduling, he said he expects students to eventually adapt to taking a broader spectrum of class times.

George Garrison, professor of Pan-African studies, also introduced a resolution to affirm the university’s policy against racial harassment on campus in light of recent racial tensions that have resulted in threats made against students.

The resolution passed unanimously with an amendment from Barbara Hipsman, associate professor of journalism and mass communication, stating that it does not inhibit the right to freedom of expression.

The Faculty Senate also elected its leaders for next year: Tom Janson, professor of music, as chair; Paul Farrell, professor of computer science, as vice chair; James Tyner, professor of geography, as secretary; and Paul Abraham, professor of mathematical science at the Stark campus, as the at-large position

In other business, Frank announced an initiative to be led by psychology professor Mary Ann Stephens to use discussion groups to “better understand what we could do to enhance the long-term career success of women in science.”

The Faculty Senate also continued discussions about recommended changes to the Educational Policies Council, which will be voted on at the next meeting in May. EPC is a part of the Senate that oversees curriculum issues and participates in long-term curriculum planning for the university.

Contact administration reporter Jackie Valley at [email protected].