Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1970 [PAGE 934]

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934

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[June 17

T h e recess itself has been constructed in such a way that there appears to be no major educational disadvantage to its existence. The original number of academic days scheduled for the fall term is to be reduced by only one and one-half days, the other fall recess days being taken from already-scheduled recesses (Thanksgiving and Christmas). In spite of the above arguments on behalf of the proposed fall recess, several comments regarding the undesirability of the recess are in order. It is our understanding that the student petition was generated by a laudable desire to become involved in the established political processes immediately preceding fall elections; there is, however, some genuine question as to the desirability of official recognition by the University of political activity — in this way or in any other. It may be argued that there are already mechanisms available to students who wish to become involved in the election process, which mechanisms provide for periods of absence for such activity, with accompanying consideration for academic credit as independent study or some similiar arrangement. While the petition generating this proposal was indeed signed by a large number of students, there remains considerable doubt as to the extent this petition is generally reflective of student consensus; it seems clear that some sampling procedure might better provide us with the type of student attitudes which should be considered in this matter. Finally, there is question of the nature of the campus atmosphere in which this petition was prepared. During the month of May (at the time petition signatures were being secured), the level of emotion on this campus was high; although many members of the academic community became deeply involved during that month with the political issues generating much of that emotion, the desirability of altering the fall semester schedule as a result of a document generated during those days seems open to some question. In view of the points raised in the above discussion, Chancellor Peltason feels that he must forward this recommendation of the Senate to you without his unequivocal concurrence. While the points noted in favor of the proposal argue rather strongly for its adoption, the arguments marshalled against the fall recess seem equally strong. Therefore, the Chancellor has asked that I send this proposal to you without specific recommendation for adoption or disapproval.

DAYTON S. PICKETT

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Excerpt from Minutes, Urbana-Champaign Senate, J u n e 3, 1970 Professor Marion Benfield, Chairman, Urbana-Champaign Senate Committee on Academic Calendar, moved that the Senate adopt a modified calendar for the Fall Semester of 1970-71 to provide an election recess of seven and one-half calendar days, from Wednesday, October 28, 1970, to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 1970. Professor Benfield stated that the Committee believed that students should be encouraged to organize their efforts and work within the political structure. He said it was agreed that the most appropriate way to register disagreement with political policies was to work for and elect other representatives. He stated that this action would not mean that the University was taking a political stand. The only thing it does is to encourage students to involve themselves in the political process. Professor Benfield said that the recess could be kept within the scheduling range by shortening the Thanksgiving vacation by one and one-half days and the Christmas vacation by two and one-half days. Professor J. S. Dobrovolny spoke against the motion. H e said the time for the recess would do nothing to strengthen the election. H e stated that preparations for elections in the fall would begin in the summer and that to begin campaigning the last seven days before the election would be ineffective. Several persons spoke in the favor of the proposal. A substitute motion was made that the Senate poll all the students and find out what the majority of students want to do. T h e motion was seconded. Professor Benfield replied that the Committee had received a petition signed