Semester will not be lengthened despite U. closings

Provost outlines policy in letter Despite talk to the contrary, it appears as if the semester will not be extended to compensate for three weather-related University closings this semester. College of Arts and Sciences Dean Matthew Santirocco said last night that the issue did not even "come up" at Wednesday's meeting of the Council of Undergraduate Deans. And he added that he did not think that it was "an issue." Talk had arisen after the most recent University closing last Friday that some professors felt they did not have time to complete their syllabi. In a memorandum to the deans of the four undergraduate schools, reprinted in Almanac earlier this month, Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson stated, "if it appears that the majority of the faculty teaching undergraduates believes the academic spring semester needs to be extended by a day or two, we shall consider making adjustments in the Final Examination period." But, John Keenan, associate dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, said yesterday no faculty members have requested the extension. In his memorandum, Lazerson wrote that faculty members who wanted to reschedule classes during reading days should first consult with their school's dean. Santirocco said he saw several options which could take the place of rescheduling classes during reading days. He said professors could reschedule their courses on "weekends or after hours." "The spring term is longer than the fall term, anyway," Santirocco said. He added that, in his opinion, most professors would not have difficulty adjusting their syllabi. Although Registrar Ronald Sanders would not say last night whether he was in favor of extending the semester, he said, "there are probably good reasons not to extend it." Among them, he said, would be rescheduling final exams and graduation. Lazerson, who is responsible for making the final decision on the matter, could not be reached for comment.