DOCUMENTS OF THE GENERAL FACULTY

PROPOSAL TO CREATE A TWO-DAY FALL BREAK

Stefan Kostka (music), on behalf of the Calendar Committee, has filed the proposal below to create a two-day fall break.

The secretary has classified this proposal as major legislation. The recommendation will be presented to the Faculty Council for discussion at its meeting on February 19, 2001, but by Faculty Council rules action cannot be taken for at least 21 calendar days after its circulation. Major legislation approved by the Council must be submitted to the General Faculty on a no-protest basis, as prescribed in the by-laws of the Council.

<signed>

John R. Durbin, Secretary
The Faculty Council

PROPOSAL TO CREATE A TWO-DAY FALL BREAK

Proposal

The Calendar Committee recommends that The University of Texas at Austin begin classes in the fall semester two days earlier than the current practice, beginning on a Monday instead of on a Wednesday. This would allow for a two-day fall break, which would occur on the second Monday and the following Tuesday in October.

Rationale

The fall break proposal was originally suggested by the student members of the Calendar Committee. The idea was not one that the faculty members on the committee were necessarily opposed to, at least in theory. What many students would apparently like to see is a full-week Thanksgiving vacation, but the majority of the committee felt that students (and faculty) need a respite earlier in the semester, following the first round of major examinations. This is why the October date was selected. To make up for the Monday and Tuesday of the fall break, classes in the fall semester would start on Monday instead of Wednesday. This does create some problems that include preparing the dormitories two days earlier and adjusting advising schedules. But we understand from Vice President James Vick that the relevant staff members now believe that such a change is feasible. A final suggestion that was discussed was the possibility of holding classes on Labor Day to create an additional vacation day at some point in the semester, but this was rejected because of the problems it would cause for everyone, especially the staff.

Our recommendation relies on the assumption that logistical concerns raised by affected University entities (e.g., registrar, advising offices, housing services) can be addressed in a satisfactory manner.

This legislation was posted on the Faculty Council web site (http://www.utexas.edu/faculty/council/) on February 13, 2001. Paper copies are available on request from the Office of the General Faculty, FAC 22, F9500.