University Governance

CHARGES TO THE CALENDAR COMMITTEE FOR FY09


Approved by SenEx 6/24/08
Date approved by University Senate:9/11/08

  • Contact SenEx chair Marianne Berry, andysmom@ku.edu, for information or to schedule a meeting with SenEx to discuss recommendations for action on the charges.
  • Minutes of each meeting should be e-mailed to University Governance (govern@ku.edu) as soon as they are approved.  The minutes will be posted to the Governance web site.
  • If the committee is recommending a change to university policy or rules, SenEx must officially receive that recommendation before March 17, 2009, in order to meet timeline requirements for full review by Governance.
  • A final report on the committee’s actions on each of the charges, as well as the committee’s recommendations for FY10 charges and membership, should be e-mailed to the Governance Office (govern@ku.edu) by April 1, 2009.

STANDING CHARGES

  1. Monitor compliance with the requirements of University Senate Rules and Regulations 1.3.2 concerning final examinations, including:  (a) ensuring that adequate arrangements are made each semester to inform students and faculty through the Timetable of Classes and by news releases to the media about the regulations governing final examinations, and the appropriate procedures to be followed if questions arise about the application of the regulations; (b) informing the teaching faculty, via an e-mail from the chair, one week before the beginning of each semester (in August and January) of these regulations and their rationale;  and (c) considering requests for exceptions, as provided in the regulations.  Report to SenEx concerning actions taken on these matters. (ongoing)

  2. Monitor compliance with University Senate Rules and Regulations 1.4.2 concerning the scheduling of examinations outside of regular class hours. Prepare and send an informational e-mail to all deans and chairs summarizing regulations about the calendar at the earliest opportunity.  Following the committee’s established procedures, solicit and approve or disapprove applications for tests other than final examinations to be held at times other than other than regular class hours.  Requests should be solicited and acted upon in time to transmit decisions for the Spring 2009 and Fall 2010 semester to the Office of the University Registrar for inclusion in the Timetable.  Report to SenEx concerning actions taken on these matters. (ongoing).
  3. Monitor the provision of information concerning calendar requirements between the Director of Athletics and the University registrar, including (1) that the Athletic Director must give notice of night athletic contests at least one year in advance of the event unless it occurs on a weekend: and (2) the provisions of University Senate Rules and Regulations 1.3.7 concerning the scheduling of athletic events during final examination periods.  Report any problems or issues to SenEx. (ongoing)

  4. Update the five-year calendar and report action to SenEx by February 2, 2009.

SPECIFIC CHARGES

  1. Discuss and identify a written calendar-related policy for on-line exams, taking into account the increase in the number of instructors using secure on-line exams.  This policy could be as simple as adding a clause in the USRR regarding on-line and take-home exams and finals, and their effect on the freeing up of class time.  Report this information to SenEx by November 3, 2008.

  2. Gather information, in coordination with the Registrar’s Office, on the range of course schedules and other university curricula and internships that do not follow the standard academic calendar.  Report this information to SenEx by November 3, 2008.

  3. Recommend alternative calendars that would result in fewer than 150 instructional days, and alternative start and end dates, to be presented to SenEx, the University Senate, University Administration and ultimately the Kansas Board of Regents.  Report recommended calendar(s) to SenEx by December 1, 2008.

  4. Review Initiative 2015 and monitor the consequent implementation of its objectives, to identify how the calendar affects the potential for development of multidisciplinary initiatives, as described in the Discovering and Innovating Task Force Recommendations #4 and #5.  Report recommendations to SenEx before March 17, 2009.