In an effort to cut down on expenses, many departments haveinstituted no-paper policies for course syllabi, departmentofficials said.
The University of Memphis College of Communication and Fine Artswill be encouraging its departments to restrict syllabi to thosethat can be retrieved electronically, according to the department'sWeb site. All instructors and professors who are not currentlyadhering to that policy this semester will be required to do so bythe fall 2004 semester, department officials said.
However, some communications students disagree with thepaper-free policy.
Scarlet Williams, a sophomore film student, said she believeshard copies of course syllabi should be provided for students.
"A syllabus is really needed, but it's not our responsibility toget it on our own. It is the professors' responsibility to provideus with one," Williams said.
Despite student reaction, half of the departments in the Collegeof Education are utilizing the new policy, said Ernest Rakow,associate dean of administration.
"It is left to the department and is not a college policy,"Rakow said.
The two education departments that are encouraging the syllabusformat are the Counseling, Educational Psychology Department (CEPR)and the Department of Research and Instruction and CurriculumLeadership.
The policy is not being enforced in any department in theCollege of Arts and Sciences, said Melissa Buchner, director ofadministration.
The no-paper policy was initiated by late semester budget cutsin the fall, said John Smart, CEPR department chair.
CEPR officials are trying to incur as little expense as possiblefor the department, Smart said.
David Zettergren, assistant vice president of finance for The Uof M, said everyone is trying to cut expenses.
"Obviously, we do have some budget challenges," Zettergrensaid.
Gov. Phil Bredesen informed him that The U of M will suffer a 5percent decrease next fall, amounting in a $5 million cut in budgetfunds, Zettergren said. Last year, The U of M budget was cut anestimated $9 million.
"The University of Memphis wants to also maximize the use oftechnology. This way we save all around," Zettergren said.
But to Williams, the printed class syllabus was something shesaid she depended on and one less thing she had to worry about.
"What does it matter if we print it or if they print it? It'sstill money coming out of somebody's pocket," Williams said.
