2008 Woodie Awards
Campus snow closures not worthy of change in policy
Senators discuss different teaching methods
By: Beth Kieda
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: News
Five campus closures in one semester is a rare occurrence.
That's why the university does not need a formal "snow day" policy, many senators said at Tuesday's Academic Senate meeting.
"I think, while it certainly did impact this semester, time spent on a policy for something that may not happen again for 20 years would be a waste of time," said Faculty Association President Donna Ericksen, a math professor.
A power outage caused one of the closures this semester at CMU, while the other four closures were weather related.
There had been talk within the university community of adding a day of classes on the Thursday before finals. A-Senate does not have the power to change the university calendar, although it can always make recommendations.
Some senators at Tuesday's meeting said they wanted a future discussion of what would happen in a situation where the university had to close for a week or more.
"This does give us an opportunity to discuss what happens if, unfortunately like NIU, we shut down for a week," said Provost Julia Wallace.
Wallace was in favor of a discussion to inform faculty about what options they might have in such situations.
"Allowing a discussion of opportunities, faculty may not know of how they would deliver (teach) outside the classroom walls," she said.
There are alternative methods of delivering classes, particularly those that are lecture based.
Central Michigan University has some resources in place as alternative tools, such as Blackboard and Faculty Center for Innovative Teaching.
"Most of my classes are podcasted so they (students) can always get the lecture if they're not there," Ericksen said. "Students love it."
She said the podcasts have helped students and are easy for her to do.
However, not all classes can be easily delivered by podcasts or similar method. Science and technology classes involving laboratory work or skill-based classes such as music and art come with additional challenges.
"There are certain things like laboratory classes that require student supervised work that don't lend themselves to podcasts," said Philip Squattrito, chemistry professor.
Assistant art professor Brian Elder said his department has been able to cope with closures without much difficulty.
"My feedback from the faculty is that we are a lot that are quick on our feet," he said.
Elder said faculty combined multiple activities into one lesson and spent extra time with students.
"We've been able to overcome this," Elder said.
Many senators agreed a long-term shutdown would be much more difficult to deal with.
A-Senate moderator Tim Hartshorne recommended senators talk to their departments and find out how faculty feel about different possibilities.
news@cm-life.com
That's why the university does not need a formal "snow day" policy, many senators said at Tuesday's Academic Senate meeting.
"I think, while it certainly did impact this semester, time spent on a policy for something that may not happen again for 20 years would be a waste of time," said Faculty Association President Donna Ericksen, a math professor.
A power outage caused one of the closures this semester at CMU, while the other four closures were weather related.
There had been talk within the university community of adding a day of classes on the Thursday before finals. A-Senate does not have the power to change the university calendar, although it can always make recommendations.
Some senators at Tuesday's meeting said they wanted a future discussion of what would happen in a situation where the university had to close for a week or more.
"This does give us an opportunity to discuss what happens if, unfortunately like NIU, we shut down for a week," said Provost Julia Wallace.
Wallace was in favor of a discussion to inform faculty about what options they might have in such situations.
"Allowing a discussion of opportunities, faculty may not know of how they would deliver (teach) outside the classroom walls," she said.
There are alternative methods of delivering classes, particularly those that are lecture based.
Central Michigan University has some resources in place as alternative tools, such as Blackboard and Faculty Center for Innovative Teaching.
"Most of my classes are podcasted so they (students) can always get the lecture if they're not there," Ericksen said. "Students love it."
She said the podcasts have helped students and are easy for her to do.
However, not all classes can be easily delivered by podcasts or similar method. Science and technology classes involving laboratory work or skill-based classes such as music and art come with additional challenges.
"There are certain things like laboratory classes that require student supervised work that don't lend themselves to podcasts," said Philip Squattrito, chemistry professor.
Assistant art professor Brian Elder said his department has been able to cope with closures without much difficulty.
"My feedback from the faculty is that we are a lot that are quick on our feet," he said.
Elder said faculty combined multiple activities into one lesson and spent extra time with students.
"We've been able to overcome this," Elder said.
Many senators agreed a long-term shutdown would be much more difficult to deal with.
A-Senate moderator Tim Hartshorne recommended senators talk to their departments and find out how faculty feel about different possibilities.
news@cm-life.com
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