Possibly as soon as Fall 2003, if the Tennessee Board of Regents has its way, The University of Memphis and other institutions in the state will be on a “common calendar,” which will lengthen U of M semesters.
A memo from Ellen Weed sent to the Faculty Sub-Council on Oct. 19, 2001, said that the Academic Affairs Sub-Council unanimously approved a motion that staff present a plan for moving TBR colleges and universities toward a common academic calendar at their January 2002 meeting.
The change provides that, effective fall semester 2002, Tennessee State University, Middle Tennessee State University and Austin Peay State University establish “coordinated academic calendars” to facilitate joint enrollment at more than one institution. The decree calls for common registration periods, dates for the start and end of classes, final exam periods and vacation and holiday periods.
The lack of a common academic calendar has created many problems in the planning and implementation of the Regents’ Online Degree Program, according to some of the Regents. The most notable problem is its impact on RODP students’ eligibility for financial aid. If TBR institutions have a common academic calendar and RODP courses are offered on a 15-week basis, then financial aid eligibility is not a problem. Variations in academic calendars create confusion and/or difficulty for RODP students and for institutions with regard to first and last day of classes, grade due dates and dates for drops and withdrawals.
Dr. John R. Petry, an assistant professor in The U of M’s leadership department, said it is too early to tell how The University will be affected by this recommendation.
“There have to be so many minutes per three-hour course,” Petry said. “If the TBR is going to extend the number of days in a semester, classes will change from 55 minutes to 50 minutes. Students will be able to get in more classes in the morning if they had to work later that day, therefore gaining more credits.”
Movement to a common academic calendar would help TBR colleges and universities to leverage and share a wide variety of resources and services, including physical facilities, professional development opportunities and joint programs.
However, the move to a common calendar could have a demoralizing effect on some professors, who may not be happy with a move that would have them working more while being paid the same.
“It adds more time and no more pay,” said assistant professor of music David Wray. “I do not think there is probably any faculty member who is going to be in favor of that.”
“It is a pay cut,” said Jim Redmond, chairman of the journalism department at The U of M. “We are hired on a nine month contract to teach classes for The University. Adding more weeks without additional pay means our salary would be divided into more weeks. They are asking for a union movement on this campus. I think it is a great way to drive more faculty out of here.”
There is also a concern that the lengthening of semesters could interfere with research work professors are required to do in addition to their normal teaching duties.
Adding three or four weeks to the academic calendar would take away “catch-up” time for many professors at The U of M, who pride themselves on being experts in their field.
“There is a possibility to not realize that the U of M is a tier one university with a research mission and doctoral programs,” said Ken Lambert, Faculty Senate president. “We are not like some of the smaller schools and community colleges. We should not exactly be run by the same standards they are.”
“The U of M is a senior doctoral granting institution that needs to be on the cutting edge of teaching, research and service,” said Redmond. “In my opinion, the common calendar is a winner. But, if there are going to be 18 weeks per semester instead of 16, everybody loses.”
Extending the academic calendar also cuts into the time students have to earn money on their breaks, especially if they have to pay to go to school.
“It will cut a student’s earning capacity by 21 percent, if you include Christmas break,” Redmond said. “What a great idea, especially when tuition was just raised by 15 percent.”
