>At 08:57 AM 3/15/2005, you wrote:
>>Thanks.  You may want to post this on Raven.  It'll be coming up sometime
>>at a faculty meeting.
>>
>>Betsy
>>
>>At 07:49 AM 3/15/2005 -0500, you wrote:
>>
>>>>Date: Mon, 07 Mar 2005 17:20:23 -0500
>>>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>From: Robert Espeseth <[log in to unmask]>
>>>>Subject: Academic Calender
>>>>
>>>>    I have read some debate on the upcoming academic calender.  I would
>>>>like to add my observations and opinions.  First of all, regarding
>>>>spring break.
>>>>I think the best time to offer spring break is during the Southern
>>>>Conference Basketball
>>>>Tournament.  During this time the men's and women's basketball teams
>>>>must miss
>>>>three or four days of classes, along with the cheerleaders and band
>>>>members.  This
>>>>is also when the Southern Conference Wrestling Tournament is
>>>>held.  Since the
>>>>basketball teams already miss some classes due to the schedule, why not
>>>>minimize
>>>>their absences due to the conference tournament?  And as Alice Tym
>>>>pointed out,
>>>>it seems that almost all of the spring sports had to miss one, two or
>>>>three days of
>>>>school this past week.  So, by shifting the spring break to this time
>>>>period, it would
>>>>minimize the effect of missed classes on the athletes.  I do not think
>>>>that the student
>>>>body in general would mind.   And it would break the semester at a
>>>>point which is just
>>>>past half way through the semester.  Plus, earlier in March would
>>>>probably make it easier
>>>>to get rooms etc for beach or ski trips.
>>>>
>>>>    Regarding the start of the spring semester, I would suggest that it
>>>> remain as it is right now.
>>>>The reason is that the overwhelming majority of students at UTC
>>>>work.  If they cannot or do
>>>>not, then they would not be in school.  One big advantage for them is
>>>>that they get done witih
>>>>the spring semester one, two or three weeks ahead of many other
>>>>schools.  So, from an
>>>>employers standpoint, they can start work earlier and usually work
>>>>longer, as most schools
>>>>start around the same time in August.  If they are competing with high
>>>>school students, then they
>>>>can work earlier in May, and later into August, so are in better
>>>>position to be hired.  And when
>>>>considering internships, then the longer summer break is also an
>>>>advantage for current UTC
>>>>students.  So, I would start as early as we have in the past in
>>>>January, because it is best for
>>>>the majority of students.
>>>>
>>>>     As for the fall break, if we stayed with a Friday, Monday, Tuesday
>>>> time period, but one which
>>>>included a Friday, then I would say schedule it when the football team
>>>>has an away game, as then
>>>>the football players, and possible the band, do not need to miss a day
>>>>of Friday classes for a
>>>>game trip.
>>>>
>>>>Robert