Here is the rationale for the 65-68 day motion:

1. The only way to have 68 days of instruction in the spring semester –as stated in the Faculty handbook: “The University's Academic Calendar in fall and spring semesters will contain a minimum of 68 instructional days …"- in the next years, is to shorten winter session.

2. There are many objections, especially from sciences departments, to a 20 day winter session. (Global Studies is not thrilled either.) In order to get to 23 days, and taking into account all the variables and guidelines that the Registrar Office has to work with (total of days in der semester, holidays, exams, Convocation date, etc…), the spring semester must be shortened (to 65 or 66 days). The Ad-hoc Academic Calendar Committee had invited Doug Doren, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences, who reported on the reasons why science faculty areagainst the 20 day winter session. The Ad-hoc Academic Calendar Committee agreed that the version of the Academic Calendar that has 23 days in the winter and 66 in the spring of 2014 (attached) would be the best option.

3. Once approved our motion, the minutes of instruction per semester would be between 1950 and 2050 for a 3 credit course. Consequently it should be the same for winter and summer session.

4. After changing the meeting pattern for the winter and summer from 90 minutes to 105 at the March Faculty Senate meeting, the total number of minutes of instruction, if an instructor uses the entire 105 minutes, for 20 days would be 2100 and for 23 it would be 2415. In the case of 23 days, this will give faculty several options:

a. they can take a break in the middle of the class;

b. finish the day earlier;

c. make up for time lost (sickness, snow, emergencies, etc.)

d. give the final exam on Friday instead of Saturday (as proposed in the attached Academic Calendar for 2013/2014)

The 105 minute + 15 minutes break pattern also makes the schedule simpler: classes start every 2 hours: 8, 10, 12, 2 …

5. Changing the meeting pattern for the summer and winter from 90 minutes to 105 and making the number of days of instruction in the fall and spring semester variable (between 65 and 68), will give more flexibility and will allow the Scheduling Office to compile Academic Calendars that take into consideration the needs of all Departments and Programs.