CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA

ACADEMIC SENATE

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

REPORT TO

THE ACADEMIC SENATE

AA-004-112

Academic Calendar by Quarters –2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15

Academic Affairs Committee Date: February 3, 2012

Executive Committee

Received and Forwarded Date: 2-8-12

Academic Senate Date: 2-15-12

First Reading Waiver

Background

Academic Calendars by Quarters 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 were submitted for review. The schedule will appear in the next edition of the University Catalog and be posted on the Academic Programs website. There are two Monday holidays during Spring 2013 and Spring 2014. It was proposed that to avoid losing two sets of Monday classes within the quarter, for the week commencing with Memorial Day, Friday classes would be canceled and replaced with the Monday schedule instead.

Resources Recommended and Consulted

Recommended / Consulted
·  Faculty
·  Department Chairs
·  Claudia Pinter-Lucke
·  Maria Martinez
·  Kathy Street
·  Jane Self
·  Ashley Ly / ·  Faculty and Department Chairs
·  Claudia Pinter Lucke, AVP Acad Progs
·  Maria Martinez, Registrar
·  Kathy Street, AVP Enrollment Servs
·  Jane Self, Director, Payroll Services
·  Ashley Ly, Senior Curriculum Specialist
·  Angelina Schultz, Student Financial Servs
·  Traci Lew, Student Orientation Servs
·  Current University Catalog

Discussion

The committee proofed the submitted calendars and made and received a number of minor corrections from Academic Programs.

Input was sought on the proposed substitution of the Friday schedule with the Monday schedule for the week of Memorial Day.

Feedback from administrative offices on campus indicated no known problems with the switch. The committee was informed that the Cesar Chavez day is immovable. While Memorial Day can be moved, it was not practice to do so, due to its status as a major national holiday.

A campus-wide email request to faculty resulted in 57 responses, which included department chairs and deans. Of those who answered the question, approximately two thirds were in favor of canceling the Friday schedule on the Friday after Memorial Day and replacing it with the Monday schedule. A significant minority, however, did point out that this would cause disruption to some students and faculty who have other professional commitments on Fridays. In addition, concern was expressed regarding the impact on Friday only classes, and the inconvenience of classes being held on a Friday evening, with attendance and grading issues arising. A substantial number of faculty responses indicated widespread opposition about moving the Memorial Day holiday, even though this issue was not put to them.

Other suggestions received included: use a Friday earlier in the quarter; and teach the Monday schedule on the Tuesday immediately following Memorial Day.

Recommendations

The Committee recommends the adoption of the Calendar, as attached. In addition it recommends the adoption of the proposed changes to the Friday schedule for the week when Memorial Day falls during the Spring quarters of 2013 and 2014.