Public Occasions Committee Report The Public Occasions Committee moves that Saturday, October 5 be adopted as the date of the 2019 Homecoming celebration Misconception: That adding a fall break would necessitate extending the end of the semester by a week. That is ill-advised, as it would leave inadequate time for administrative “rollover” between the two semesters and would reverse a change enacted in Spring 2013. Presented to Faculty Senate on November 13, 2018.

Public Occasions Committee Report Charge to committee: To investigate the possibility of adding a fall break before Thanksgiving. Status: The matter has been discussed at the September and October Senate meetings. The committee has concluded that we can add a two-day break to the fall semester and remain in compliance with CRR 20.140. We are in favor of adding this break. Several stakeholders have been consulted. Most are in favor. Academic departments are yet to be consulted. The timing of the break is yet to be determined. Presented to Faculty Senate on November 13, 2018.

Entities Consulted Office of the Registrar Rules, Procedure, and Agenda (RP&A) committee Academic Freedom and Standards committee Student Affairs committee Student Council Graduate Student Council

Input from the Registrar Adding a break with a day in each meeting pattern group would be acceptable for the fall semester. It would align with our spring semester with respect to the number of days in session. It is suggested that we do not include a Monday in the break, because we already lose one to Labor Day. Having it on a Tuesday and Wednesday for career fair should be discussed by the faculty teaching labs. Reminder that October includes mid-terms and advising and canceling two days of class could require adjustments to testing and advising schedules.

Input from Academic Freedom and Standards (AF&S) The committee has discussed the viability of offering a fall break. A clear consensus was not seen as emerging from the committee. To capture their thoughts, seven of the eight committee members voted on the five following statements. A member could vote in favor of all five, opposed to all five, or any combination. participated.

Statements Voted upon by AF&S AF&S encourages a reduction in the number of academic instruction days in the fall semester, by one or two days. Favor: 3 Oppose: 4 AF&S opposes the creation of an additional Monday holiday in fall semester, as this creates a significant challenge for departments who use Mondays for classes that meet once a week. Favor: 5 Oppose: 2 AF&S endorses a two-day fall break on a Thursday and Friday near the mid point between the Labor Day and Thanksgiving holiday breaks. Favor: 4 Oppose: 3

Statements Voted upon by AF&S AF&S endorses a two-day fall break on the Tuesday of the Career Fair, and the following Wednesday. Favor: 3 Oppose: 4 AF&S endorses a one-day fall break on the Tuesday of the Career Fair. Favor: 4 Oppose: 3 NB: Some members oppose removing any days of instruction from fall semester, and are using their votes on B through E to indicate which of the undesirable options they find least objectionable.

Graduate Student Council: In Favor RP&A: In Favor Graduate Student Council: In Favor Student Council: In Favor Student Council prefers that the break coincide with Career Fair (Tuesday and Wednesday).

Action Item for Senators Please seek input from department colleagues about: Adding a two-day break in the fall The preferred timing of this break – month and days of the week Please make note of concerns, ask for a vote or otherwise determine consensus view and send a brief report to sedighs@mst.edu by January 14, 2019.